Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

KIVALLIQ
Faster days may be on the horizon for technology buffs across the Kivalliq.

Northwestel president and CEO Paul Flaherty said a five-year plan could see 4G network service provided to all seven Kivalliq communities. - photo courtesy NorthwesTel

Northwestel has announced the launch of DSL 2.5 Mbps downloads with its new Internet service in Rankin, and has begun a five-year plan which may bring 4G service to every Kivalliq community.

Company president and CEO Paul Flaherty said the company's launch of 4G cellular service will have the biggest impact on the region.

He said the process of introducing the Internet service was begun this past week in Rankin.

"We don't have any plans to go into the other Kivalliq communities with the Internet service at this point," said Flaherty.

"Baker Lake, Arviat and Rankin all have 2G in cellular service, so the goal is to upgrade to 4G, and we're looking at whether we can put that into the rest of the Kivalliq communities, as well.

"We're in the process of looking to see how we might partner with others to make that happen."

Flaherty said the modernization plan to address all of Northern Canada covers five years.

He said individual communities would be done during that period.

"The other thing we're doing in communities like Rankin and, I believe, Arviat as well, is to introduce local number portability.

"Should a competitor come into a community, and a customer wanted to switch from our service to their's, they'd be able to take their phone number with them.

"The biggest advantage is the ability to use technology such as the iPhone, iPad, Blackberry 10 or Galaxy on the 4G system.

First on the list

"Rankin is the main community to be done this year, but it's still up for discussion on which of the later years the other communities will be done."

Flaherty said while Northwestel doesn't have a lot of specific community-involvement projects in the Kivalliq, there are many that reach across the North.

He said during the past year, Northwestel contributed about $600,000 to various organizations and

events.

"The biggest one would be the Arctic Winter Games, which we've supported since its inception.

"We also contributed to the teams from Nunavut, the Yukon and the NWT.

"It's a way of really promoting that sporting activity and helping the individual territories send teams to it.

"We're also an ongoing supporter of the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Line, which really helps young people who may have to use it from time to time."

Flaherty said Northwestel has been in the North for more than 60 years and has more than 40 employees in Nunavut, including Rankin, Arviat and Baker Lake.

He said the company contributes to the Northern economy, and has people in the communities who know the North and can respond to the conditions faced here.

"Our employing them puts money in their pockets so they can invest in the communities," Flaherty said.

"So, I would hope people would look at who's local and contributes to the Northern economy when deciding which service to use."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.