On July 8, the Government of Nova Scotia released an update on 54 cell towers currently being built or upgraded. Despite this, many residents of Pictou County are unable to access cell service due to the wooded and hilly area surrounding them. Photo by FileArticle contentPICTOU – On Aug 5, District 12 Councilor Chester Dewar informed Pictou County Council about several complaints he has received about the local phone service. Many residents have been unable to utilize their landlines and are unable to gain access to cell service in order to replace their current phones.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“We have senior citizens here who cannot get cellphone service, who cannot use the phones they actually pay for,” said Dewar. “The service is absolutely deplorable. We are always talking about the issue, but nothing seems to be getting done.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentOne such senior citizen is Donald Thompson, who was unable to utilize his landline for a time. During the fall of 2024, his phone would be out for days or weeks at a time, before breaking completely from Nov 15 to Dec 7. Article content“There are safety issues in being without a phone for such a long time,” said Thompson. “I’m always calling people to the house to fix the main line, as there’s always something wrong with it.”Article contentThe cause was due to the old transmission lines that run from his home to Hopeville. The damage causes the phones to emit a feedback that sounds akin to flooding the lines with water, as Dewar described during the council meeting. Article content“Those lines are antique, prone to breaking down and rotting,” said Thompson. “Until they replace the entire phone line, my wife and I will be concerned that it might break again.” Article content Reliable phone service in rural parts of the county remains issue for Pictou County residents. Photo by File /The NewsArticle contentThompson says their phone has been fixed since Jan 7. But, while their phone can be used and isn’t as noisy as before, it still emits that underwater noise over every call.Article contentArticle contentAnother resident who faces a far more extreme version of this is Doris Baudoux, a 97-year-old resident of White Hill. Her landline has been rendered unusable, creating a noise so disruptive that it makes conversation nearly impossible. Article content“Her daughter has tried to get her a new phone, but can’t get service out there,” said Dewar. “She has called people to fix it, but it costs $79 plus each time they come. Such a situation for a senior citizen like her, just should not be the case.”Article contentOn Jul 8, the Government of Nova Scotia gave an update on the Cellular for Nova Scotia program, which promises to build and upgrade dozens of towers. The goal is to increase the number of Nova Scotia residents who can access cell service. However, that option may not be available to everyone in Pictou County.Article content“A lot of folks don’t have coverage for cellphones and such digital options,” said Dewar. “Owning a landline is so expensive nowadays, and not everyone can afford the new technology. The county is working hard to resolve these issues, but we are limited in what we can do.”Article content
Pictou County residents concerned over lack of reliable phone service
