It's hard for some people to imagine life without cellular or internet services, but west of Timmins, in the small community of Foleyet, where just under 200 people live, there is concern those services, considered vital to some, may soon disappear.

Bell, the parent company of Bell Media, which owns CTV Northern Ontario, has served notice that it may remove its equipment from a nearby communications tower.  

Jim Passmore chairs Foleyet's local services board. 

He wants everyone to know to know what's happening in his community, while he says he still has a chance.

He's been told that Bell is considering pulling out the equipment it uses to offer cellular and internet services to local residents. 

"I was dumbfounded, is I guess the proper way of putting it." said Passmore.

Foleyet received an email from Bell on April 13th.

It says the company is facing a 700% rent increase from CBRE which leases the space to Bell on behalf of the province.  

Bell says it's now considering dismantling its equipment at the tower site if it cannot negotiate a reasonable rate. 

The news shocked the local services board. 

"We had our first meeting and it was announced to everybody what the possibilities were.  There was a lot of pale faces, there was a lot of groaning, and some gasping." said Passmore.

Business owners and residents are also left wondering what will happen.

"As it was, even up to date, our internet was barely adequate for what we needed to do in regards to our lotto and security systems and all that stuff. So, yeah, it's very important that we keep the cell and internet service for Foleyet." said one resident.

"In this day and age, I just don't think we should be without." said another resident.

Community officials have contacted politicians and the issue was brought up at Queen's Park on Tuesday.

Bob Chiarelli is the Ontario Minister of Infrastructure.

"Infrastructure Ontario and CBRE are working with Bell to land on a number that is mutually agreeable and I’m confident that will be resolved.” said Chiarelli.

In an email to CTV News, a Bell spokesperson says:

"We still look forward to reaching a satisfactory agreement with CBRE. We don't have additional comment at this time."

Close to 200 people live in Foleyet, and the population quadruples in the summer when cottagers and tourists flock to the north. 

There is also the obvious concern about how people would contact emergency services in the event the communication equipment was removed. 

The closest police service and hospital is more than an hour away.