GUYSBOROUGH — A new app launched last month by the provincial government that allows users connected to Wi-Fi or older 3G networks to receive urgent notifications that previously only reached phones on LTE or 5G is a step in the right direction, says Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG) Warden Paul Long.
“We urge residents to register for the new Nova Scotia Alert app, as well as our own Voyent Alert system, which the municipality has successfully used for more than five years to deliver timely, local notices and updates.”
At the same time, he told The Journal last week, the need for stronger, more reliable cellular service across rural communities remains an urgent priority in areas where poor or non-existent cell service has been a fact of life for years.
“We are pleased that the province’s Cellular for Nova Scotia Program will bring six new cell towers to MODG, significantly increasing cellular service across our communities – something MODG has been advocating for over the last number of years,” Long said. “Once complete, these towers will strengthen cell phone service and improve communications and safety for our residents and visitors.”
Released on August 28, NS Alert is a free provincial emergency notification app developed to address gaps in the national Alert Ready system. Unlike that app, which requires LTE or 5G networks, NS Alert works on Wi-Fi or 3G and allows users to receive critical or advisory alerts in English, French or 32 additional languages. Residents can customize alerts by location, type and language, and can receive updates for multiple communities. The app is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Long said that the municipality is encouraged to see the province acknowledge insufficiencies in the Alert Ready system. But while tools like NS Alert and Voyent Alert help close communication gaps, he emphasized that the longstanding issue of incomplete cell coverage continues to affect nearly every aspect of daily life in MODG.
“I would say that it’s an area of concern – not only for residents and their everyday life, but for tourism, for future economic development, all those types of things,” he said. “We really need more complete cell service coverage. And, as well, for healthcare workers that are on the road travelling in the municipality – there’s a lot of home support and continuing care programs that these folks are travelling for. It would certainly be much safer and more reliable for them to have access to regular cell service right across the district.”
For Long, access to reliable alerts isn’t a luxury; it’s something that should be consistent for every Nova Scotian, regardless of where they live.
“I don’t think we’re any different than anywhere else,” he said. “Everybody wants to have access to those alert systems, so they’re made aware of what’s going on. And everybody – no matter where you live in the province – should have full access to those services. It is a concern that we have, for sure.”
Long noted that the MODG’s system, Voyent Alert, has already proven useful in reaching residents with timely updates. He believes the addition of NS Alert will give people another tool – but its value will ultimately depend on the reliability of service.
“I know there’s a number of people that are using it, that listen to it,” he said. “Again, it’s something that people have to get used to. We’ve had the Voyent Alert system here for a while, and there’s a large number of people that are using that. But again, if there’s good cell service coverage, then it’s more apt to be used.”
As construction of the six new towers moves forward, Long said he is hopeful that improved coverage will make both systems more effective and widely used.
“I think the more service we have, the more availability, the more people will get onto the system and then be regularly relying on that for updates on current events,” he said.
For now, he said residents should register for the new NS Alert app, keep using Voyent Alert, and know that MODG will continue advocating for stronger and more reliable service across the district.
