Satellite phones for TLH

(This information is copied from The Labradorian. I am sure their news article will be gone far before my website is gone.)

Motorists travelling remote sections of the Trans Labrador Highway (TLH) now have improved access to reliable emergency phone service. The Province has added 25 phones to the TLH satellite phone program. The addition brings the total up to 65 satellite phones available, free of charge, to motorists travelling remote sections of the TLH.

The plan to purchase these phones was announced on December 18, 2009, immediately following the opening of the TLH, Phase III to ensure that users of this new section of highway had access to this important service.

Each phone comes with an easy-to-follow instruction card for users. Satellite phones can now be picked up at the following locations:

- Wabush Hotel in Wabush;

- Midway Travel Inn in Churchill Falls;

- Hotel North Two and Royal Inn and Suites in Happy Valley-Goose Bay;

- Cartwright Hotel in Cartwright;

- Alexis Hotel in Port Hope Simpson; and,

- Town Office in Charlottetown.

When borrowing a phone, residents of the province simply need to provide their driver license number and non-residents need to provide a valid credit card number for tracking and security purposes. When users are finished with the phones, they can simply drop them off at the nearest participating location.

As with the phones currently in service, the new phones will be pre-programmed to enable calls to be directed to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) in Labrador City, which will co-ordinate appropriate emergency response through either the RNC or RCMP.