Customers now connected in more places than ever before EDMONTON, March 4 /CNW/ - Rogers Wireless today announced the expansion of its world-standard GSM wireless voice and data network in Northern Alberta. This $42 million investment provides new and broader service to residents in the region and a range of business solutions to local companies, including those operating within the oil and gas industry. "Wireless customers who work in Northern Alberta, travel across the province, or live in the new coverage areas will find that they are now connected in more places than ever before," says Steve Roberts, Vice President for Rogers in Alberta. "In addition to expanding Canada's most reliable wireless network, we have developed wireless applications that help companies increase efficiency. Our solutions, expertise, and equipment are designed to help improve business productivity." The always growing Rogers network has added 48 new sites with expanded coverage now available in the following areas:- In the Peace River area along Highway 58 which connects Rainbow Lake, Zama, High Level and Fort Vermilion, and south along Highway 35 to Peace River. - New coverage and enhanced services in areas surrounding Fort McMurray and Fort McKay; and along Hwy 881 connecting Lac La Biche, Conklin, and Anzac. - New coverage in Wabasca and Red Earth Creek, and south to Slave Lake and High Prairie. - New coverage in Grande Cache and Northeast to Hwy 43 and Valleyview. - In Southern Alberta, extended coverage is also available along Hwy 11 between Red Deer and Nordegg and along Hwy 61 in Foremost and Manyberries. Northeast of Brooks, service is available in Jenner, Cessford and Sunnynook.Rogers offers the most innovative lineup of smartphones including the BlackBerry Curve 8900, the BlackBerry Pearl Flip, the Apple iPhone 3G, the Nokia E71 and the BlackBerry Bold, enabling users to stay connected to email and access desktop functions while away from the office. For those requiring a device in demanding outdoor work conditions, Rogers offers three exclusive ruggedized handsets: the Motorola Extreme, the ZTE Rock, and the Samsung Rugby. Workers on the move can stay connected with the Rogers Rocket Mobile Hi-Speed Internet Stick. The device allows users to connect their laptop to the internet from anywhere within a Rogers coverage area. For business customers in industries needing integrated fleet management solutions, Rogers exclusively offers NelTrak. This industry-leading system provides GPS-based asset tracking, expense management capabilities, and lone worker solutions. For more information on products, services and network coverage, please visit www.rogers.com.About Rogers Wireless: ----------------------Rogers Wireless provides wireless voice and data communications services across Canada to more than 7.9 million customers under both the Rogers Wireless and Fido brands. Proven to operate Canada's most reliable wireless voice and data communications network, Rogers Wireless is Canada's largest wireless provider and the only carrier operating on the global standard GSM and highly advanced HSPA technology platforms. In addition to providing seamless roaming in more than 200 countries/areas with its GSM based services, Rogers Wireless also provides wireless broadband services across Canada utilizing its 2.5GHz fixed wireless spectrum. Rogers Wireless is a subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI; NYSE: RCI), a diversified Canadian communications and media company. For further information, please visit www.rogers.com./NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca. Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/