Cellphone service arrives in remote Atlin, B.C.

Cellular service has arrived in Atlin, B.C.

After several years in development, the Bell Mobility service went live last Sunday in the remote northern town — just in time to be a "festive seasonal gift for the community," according to a news release from the Atlin-based Taku River Tlingit First Nation. 

The First Nation says getting the service set up was the result of a "dedicated and collaborative effort" involving the Taku River Tlingit, Northwestel, Bell Mobility, and the CRTC. It was funded with help from the federal and B.C. governments.

"It's going to be a change, for sure," said Atlin resident Jack Carlick. "For the better, you know — emergencies, stuff like that."

Carlick doesn't yet have a cellphone, but plans to get one "fairly soon."

John Faulkner, another local resident, calls the big new cell tower in town "quite the eyesore," but he's mostly happy for the change. 

"I was amazed to pull out my phone and I've got cell service," he said.

The First Nation says the service launched with LTE and that will switch to 5G in the new year. It says the new cell tower will also support emergency VHF radio communications.

And while many Atlinites are delighted to finally be able to use their cellphones in town, some have mixed feelings.

"We did just fine without it for a lot of years. I think it made people a lot closer in the community," said Laurie Jonasson.

"We all know what cellphones have done to that thread that has connected us — it's severed it, in a lot of ways."

Cheri Malo, a fifth-generation Atlinite, says having cell service is "great," when it comes to community safety, or being on the road. But she says it mostly won't affect her family's life.

"We're going to continue doing what we do in Atlin and enjoying our peace and quiet and outdoors," she said.

Malo also had a glimpse this week of what could become Atlin's new reality.

Watching a play at a "beautiful community gathering," she saw something never seen before in town: someone leap up and run out to answer their ringing cellphone.