As Toronto and southern Ontario continues to deal with the aftermath of the Ontario ice storm that struck a few days back, Rogers Communications last night outlined its plans to help those still without power and heat. The measures it is taking include the following:
- Helping pay for the shelters being run across the province and providing hygiene kits for those who need them
- Opening up its retail stores to help friends and family stay connected with courtesy phones and laptops
- Providing charging and access to retail store Wi-Fi
- Providing loaner phones to many local shelters
“All hands are on deck and working around the clock to restore services to our customers as quickly as possible,” said Bob Berner, Chief Technology Officer, Rogers Communications. “In addition to restoring services, we’re supporting the Red Cross, opening up our retail stores and continuing to look for ways to help those in need.”
Rogers itself is still dealing with the fallout of the ice storm. Some of its customers are still experiencing home phone, internet and television service interruptions. It expects that most services will return to normal as power is restored but warns that landline services may not immediately resume as they may depend on equipment that is still without power. Its wireless services are nearly fully restored and available to make emergency calls as well.
Rogers Helps Residents Affected by Ice Storm
Crews are working around the clock to restore services to impacted customers
TORONTO, Dec. 23, 2013 /CNW/ – With hundreds of thousands of people still without power, Rogers is taking steps to help residents deal with the aftermath of the weekend’s ice storm.
Working with the Canadian Red Cross, Rogers will help pay for the shelters being run across the province and will provide hygiene kits for those who need them. It is also opening up its retail stores to help friends and family stay connected. All residents are encouraged to drop by one of 89 open retail locations to access the store WiFi network, charge their device and use courtesy phones and laptops to keep in touch with loved ones. The company is also providing loaner phones to many local shelters that have been set up.
“All hands are on deck and working around the clock to restore services to our customers as quickly as possible,” said Bob Berner, Chief Technology Officer, Rogers Communications. “In addition to restoring services, we’re supporting the Red Cross, opening up our retail stores and continuing to look for ways to help those in need.”
The extreme weather conditions have left many homes without power, and as a result, some Rogers customers may be experiencing home phone, internet and television service interruptions. As power is progressively restored to homes, most services will return to normal. In some cases, landline services may not immediately resume, as power for network equipment may come from another area where power has not yet been restored or where cable lines may have been damaged. Power generators are being moved from site to site to maintain and restore service where possible.
Customers affected by home service interruptions may be unable to reach emergency services using their landline telephone. Ninety-five percent of wireless services are available and can be used to make emergency calls. We encourage our customers to check the status of their service and take precautionary steps. Officials have advised citizens to check in on vulnerable or elderly neighbours who may be impacted by the severe weather.
“The Red Cross appreciates Rogers generosity in helping the people affected by the ice storm,” said Tim Hoswitschka, Director National Corporate Relations, Canadian Red Cross. “Funds will be used to help with our warming stations and shelters, where we have operations.”
Rogers will continue to update its customers as service resumes through social media and the Rogers.com website.
About Rogers:
Rogers is a leading diversified Canadian communications and media company. We are Canada’s largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada’s leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, and sports entertainment. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).