Rogers family to donate $60 million to charities assisting Canadians affected by COVID-19

Photos courtesy of Rogers

The Rogers family hopes to lend some assistance to Canadians deeply affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. And just in time for Rogers Communications 60th anniversary, the family will be donating $60 million to different charities across Canada, with the promise that all the money will be given this year so they can "make as immediate an impact as possible."

The donations will be given to organizations like Food Banks of Canada, Salvation Army, Women's Shelters Canada, and Children's Aid Foundation, among others.

"Our father, the late Ted Rogers, was a proud Canadian. He always worked to make Canada better and make our communities stronger," said Melinda Rogers-Hixon, deputy chair of Rogers Communications. "With our mother, Loretta, Lisa, Edward, Martha, and I as well as our families are committed through this donation to organizations supporting those living with food insecurity, homelessness, domestic violence, and at-risk children and youth."

Source: Rogers

Rogers' new website provides free resources, promotion for small businesses

Rogers launches a new website to help small businesses navigate the tough times the COVID-19 pandemic brought on. It's designed not just to promote these companies but also to offer resources for the owners. It provides free access to resources like Facebook Blueprint, Twitter Flight School, and LinkedIn Learning to assist businesses as they pivot and adjust to serving customers under these new conditions. 

The new website will put a spotlight on Rogers' small business customers. The carrier will support them through targeted social media campaigns that will promote these businesses in their local areas. 

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Rogers to launch 5G smart city pilot in Kelowna

Rogers partners with the University of British Columbia and the City of Kelowna to launch the country's "first 5G pilot of smart city transportation technology in a real-world setting." Sensors connected to Rogers 5G network will be placed in two intersections in downtown Kelowna to gather anonymous car and foot traffic patterns. UBC researchers will use the data they collect to improve automobile, pedestrian, and cyclist safety. At the same time, it will help develop tech to send emergency responders when collisions occur and are detected by the system.

This 5G smart city pilot is part of Rogers' roughly $20 million funds it uses to collaborate with Canadian institutions to help develop and commercialize 5G cases and applications. Kelowna seems like a good place for the test as UBC has an Okanagan campus in the city. Aside from its main campus in Vancouver, which is also a Rogers 5G hub.

Source: iPhone in Canada

Rogers partners with Apple to loan iPads with free data plans to Winnipeg School Division

Rogers and Apple have announced that they will be helping out the Winnipeg School Division in Manitoba by lending iPads with free data plans to assist with remote learning. The iPads are seen as a secure and easy-to-use for the students studying at home because the COVID-19 pandemic has forced school closures.

Rogers is offering three months of free data on these cellular iPads, while Apple will also supply resources to teachers, parents, and students via free apps, books, and videos to help with home learning. The data plan is expected to cover the end of the current school year until summer. When classes resume, the loaner iPads will be used in classrooms.

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