A newly constructed 63-metre high cell tower to benefit Telus and Rogers customers located in Nanaimo's Hammond bay neighbourhood. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

strengthened signals

Top Stories of 2025: Cell tower proposals approved to fill numerous Nanaimo-area gaps

Dec 24, 2025 | 12:41 PM

NANAIMO — With radiation health concerns fading, boosting bars on cell phones locally gained momentum in 2025

Several notable planned cellular towers were approved by City Council this year, including much-discussed plans to fill a substantial notorious dead zone in Nanaimo’s Hammond Bay area.

Crews recently installed a 63-metre-high tower on the Regional District of Nanaimo’s Pollution Control Centre site off Hammond Bay Rd., near Neck Point Park to the benefit of Telus and Rogers customers.

The tower is expected to be operational early next year.

Alternate view shows the scale of the tower at the Regional District of Nanaimo’s Pollution Control Centre site. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Another project to have a substantial impact is a cell tower incoming at the City’s public works yard at Labieux Rd., which received the blessing of City councillors this past June.

The Beban Park area, including Frank Crane Arena and surrounding residential areas, have long dealt with spotty cell reception.

Several other cell phone towers received the blessing of City Council to be built, including initiatives on Mary Ellen Dr., Rutherford Rd., Jingle Pot Rd., and Shepherd Ave. in the Harewood neighbourhood.

The Shepherd Ave. project is a unique initiative by Telus involving a pair of nearly 16 metre-high poles which double as LED streetlights.

These projects will help address a wireless services deficit in Nanaimo, home to a challenging hilly terrain which blocks coverage to pockets of people.

While resistance to cell tower projects were voiced in Nanaimo this year, most of the objectors lived in close proximity, with health, aesthetic and property valuation concerns voiced.

Health Canada establishes safety guidelines for radio frequency exposure limits, known as Safety Code 6, which Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) states sets strict limits on radio energy levels emitted by any antenna tower.

ISED governs cell towers in Canada, which mandates local governments ensure local residents in proximity to cell tower projects are consulted.

Final approval from ISED is still required before any construction can take place.

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