by Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 08/97) - The GNWT's $25-million Internet network deal with Ardicom Digital Communications Inc. should be reconsidered before it's too late, say several private-sector Internet service providers.

The group -- there about 10 private-sector ISPs in the North -- last week voiced its concerns by writing to Premier Don Morin. They have also spoken to at least two MLAs.

The GNWT's current policy supports only NorthwesTel for the provision of communications services. "We are unanimous in our opposition to this policy and ask that it be rescinded immediately," they said in the letter.

ISPs also want government communications services privatized and approached regionally.

Earlier this year, the GNWT signed a deal with Ardicom. In the deal, Ardicom will provide Internet access to every community in the North and for videoconferencing and telemedicine.

The GNWT would be Ardicom's main customer. ISPs would lose business. Government, by supporting Ardicom. is supporting NorthwesTel, the ISPs also said.

Ardicom is one-third owned by NorthwesTel. The rest of the company owned by Arctic Co-operatives Ltd. and Northern Aboriginal Services Company.

The GNWT is acting contrary to its support of telecommunications competition, the ISPs said.

Among the people wanting the changes are Ivan Simons of Senga Services in Fort Simpson, Tom Zubko of Inuvik TV, David General with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association in Cambridge Bay and Adamee Itorcheak with Nunanet in Iqaluit.

Others are Dale Crouch of Tamarack Services in Yellowknife, Kirby Marshall at SSI Micro in Yellowknife, James Sandy of Sakku Technologies in Rankin Inlet and Don Jaque of Auroranet in Fort Smith.

"Government is going into an open-ended process blind," Jaque said.

"It cuts out the entrepreneur," he said. "An embryonic digital industry that is developing in the North is being trashed."

Sakku Technologies technical division manager James Sandy said with the potential loss of government business, Sakku is now reconsidering a plan to lower fees.

"They (Internet service providers) have real concerns about government policy on purchasing," Ardicom general manager Ken Todd said. "If government bypasses them, that is government's decision."

Ardicom was to have a proof of concept, which demonstrates how the network will work, in place by July 29, but with the blessing of government, that date was extended to Nov. 28, which was met, Todd said.