London is one of 130 communities across Canada that will have access to 5G service from Rogers Communications.
The company announced Tuesday it is expanding its 5G network. St. Thomas and Woodstock are also on the list of communities getting 5G service, which is said to offer faster download speeds.
“Expected to be the most transformative technology since wireless services were introduced in 1985, 5G will transition us to a truly digitally connected world,” Rogers' Chief Technology and Information Officer Jorge Fernandes said in a news release issued Tuesday. "Now more than ever it is critical that we continue to invest in growing Canada’s largest 5G network to help drive economic recovery and bring world-class connectivity to more Canadian communities.”
Rogers said 5G networks allow for more devices to be connected and open what it calls a "world of possibilities - such as real-time traffic management to reduce gridlock and commute time, remote healthcare and virtual surgery for isolated communities, drones using thermal imaging to better inform firefighters trying to fight forest fires and multi-player, lag-free gaming on the go."
In its announcement Tuesday, Rogers cites a report from Accenture Strategy that claims 5G networks are expected to contribute an estimated $40 billion to the country’s economy and create 250,000 permanent new jobs by 2026
