It’s going to be easier for some mobile phone owners to avoid dead zones in parts of Vancouver after Rogers (TSX:RCI.B) activated its newly acquired 700 MHz spectrum.
Calgary and Toronto are the only other cities where the media giant launched the new frequency April 17.
The spectrum can penetrate through many concrete walls, elevators and basements that previously served as roadblocks to cell phone users.
However, Rogers customers must have a phone that can “tune in” to the frequency.
"With our beachfront spectrum, we'll deliver the ultimate mobile video experience to our customers in even more places where they couldn't access LTE before," Rogers’ chief marketing officer John Boynton said in a statement.
Rogers won the spectrum at a government auction in January, paying Ottawa about $3.3 billion for the rights to the frequency for the next two decades.
The 700 MHz spectrum was previously occupied by analogue TV broadcasts before Canada made the switch to digital in 2011.
The transfer to digital opened up the frequency to mobile carriers willing to pay big money to operate on a stronger spectrum.
Rogers has touted the new service’s ability to provide customers with better reception inside buildings in densely populated buildings.
The company said it plans to roll out the 700 MHz spectrum’s services to the rest of Canada during the 2014-2015 NHL season.
In November 2013, the media giant paid $5.2 billion for NHL TV and Internet broadcasts rights over 12 years.
