NNSL (Nov 16/98) - The Wire North initiative is hoping to take advantage of the digital communications network set up by Ardicom.

The territorial government is Ardicom's biggest customer, but the agreement between the two only provides for government, not public, access to the network.

The most cost-effective way of linking smaller communities to the Internet is through community access programs, in which computers are set up in a library, school or band office which the public at large can come use.

Does the agreement between Ardicom and the territorial government allow the Ardicom network to be used for a community network program?

"That's a good question," said Ardicom general manager Ken Todd. "It's also one that's not finalized.

"We're definitely not trying to take too hard a line here, because a CAP site is definitely part of the public good."

Todd said Ardicom was willing to consider creative solutions, such as allowing computers in band offices in the smaller communities to be used by the public.

Larger communities would be a different kettle of fish, said Todd. Because it sells to Internet service providers, Ardicom is not anxious to stretch the rules for markets where it's feasible for businesses to provide access.

For example, in the south, libraries are a fairly common site for community access. In the North, any community big enough for a library is usually big enough, or almost big enough, to be viable for privately-owned Internet providers to set up shop.