One of Estevan's cell phone towers belonging to SaskTel will be upgraded some time over the next year as the city continues to expand its 5G network.

City council approved a motion Monday night to upgrade the tower located at 298 Kensington Avenue from a 4G tower to a 5G tower. 

A letter from Land Development Services indicates that the proposed 35-metre 5G tower will replace the existing 30-metre 4G tower and will go up some time within the next year. The tower is located in an industrial lot on the southern stretch of Kensington Avenue.

Land Development Manager with the City of Estevan Richard Neufeld said this is one of three cell phone tower projects in Estevan that are being considered by SaskTel. The others are on McDonald Road near Hillcrest School and on Henry Street.

Councillors Tony Sernick, Travis Frank, and Shelly Veroba expressed a desire to hold an open house where residents can learn more about how the project impacts them.

"There's obviously some safety concerns out there in the residential areas," Sernick said. "An open house or something...if people have the concerns they can talk to SaskTel. I've been bombarded with questions, and it would just be nice to put something out that assures people."

Veroba was curious exactly how the upgrades will impact people in the area who use their cell phones every day.

"I know a lot of people are concerned about the 5G towers and yet we all put our cell phones right up to our ear all day every day...we hold them in our pocket, we hold them in our purse, they're sitting right beside us at all times," Veroba said.

"So I would be interested to find out from SaskTel, what is the difference between having the tower, I live close to McDonald Road so the tower will be right there in my neighbourhood too, what is the difference with having a tower in my neighbourhood and having a cell phone in my pocket?"

Neufeld said the city does hold the right to host an open house as part of the project.

Area landowners were also notified of the Kensington tower project earlier this year, but no responses have been received by Land Development Services as of yet.

The letter, which was reviewed by council on Monday, also stated that the towers in Estevan are jointly used by SaskTel, Bell, and Telus. Rogers has its own tower along the northern stretches of the city.

5G equipment is also heavier than 4G equipment, so a new tower structure is required, according to the letter.

The letter also highlighted the fact that "Land lines drop in number(s) every day in Saskatchewan, which makes cellular towers important infrastructure for emergency services."

The city will reclaim the existing 4G tower once it is no longer needed.

Related Stories