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IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY - Cambridge Bay will finally receive cell phone service on Sept. 24 after a nearly month-long delay, becoming the third Nunavut community to go wireless.

Service was previously scheduled to launch at the start of the month but provider Latitude Wireless experienced difficulty setting up the satellite receiver.

"Delays often happen with complicated technology in remote locations. Nothing we haven't experienced before," said Chris McNutt, marketing manager for Latitude Wireless. "There were some challenges we weren't aware of with regards to infrastructure."

In addition to the start date, Latitude has also selected a local cell phone dealer: PolarNet.

Days before the final decision, McNutt said there were five very strong candidates - all businesses based in Cambridge Bay - vying for the spot.

The ultimate criterion for selection was excellent customer service skills, given the amount of questions the dealer will face with cell phone startups.

"We're looking for an enthusiastic member of the business community," said McNutt.

PolarNet could not be reached for comment.

Michelle Gillis, mayor of Cambridge Bay, said the community has been primed for the service for years.

"Cell service has been available in the world for a long time and we've kind of been in the Dark Ages up North," said Gillis.

"To me it's not just a convenience. It's a safety issue. We have lots of people who go out on the land and camp."

Gillis said emergency personnel like fire and ambulance will especially benefit from the service.

"We're not exactly sure of the range or where we're going to be able to get access," she said. "Even if it was just within the municipal boundaries or the residential area, anything is better than nothing."

Gillis believes cell phone service will replace outmoded two-way radios which are common in the community.

"A lot of companies are thinking of moving away from (two-way radios) to cell phone service," she said. "It's much more efficient. We have problems with two-way radios. There's the issue of confidentiality and what you can say on the radio."

Businesses will especially enjoy the privacy of cell phone lines, she said.

"When it's work-related, it's not information that you want the whole town listening to," Gillis said.

Arviat and Baker Lake were set to get a satellite receiver on Oct. 1 but the date for Arviat has been pushed back to Oct. 15, due again to infrastructure limitations, said McNutt.

Baker Lake can expect service before Christmas, he added.

Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet also have cellular service, the latter from Latitude.