Service returns to Nahanni Butte
Internet down since Aug. 10 after SSI pulled out
Sarah Ladik
Northern News Services
Thursday, OCtober 1, 2015
TTHENAAGO/NAHANNI BUTTE
Close to two months after SSi Micro pulled its AirWare Internet service from the Deh Cho, Nahanni Butte residents are back online.
The community of Nahanni Butte will be getting Internet service after two months of being disconnected. - NNSL file photo
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The community recently found an Internet provider to replace the Yellowknife-based telecommunications company, which ended service on Aug. 10.
The community had done without in the interim.
Northwestel staff were in and out of the community this month setting up infrastructure and on the afternoon of Sept. 29 filled the void left behind by SSI.
SSi stopped its service to 10 small communities, including Nahanni Butte, on Aug. 10. At the time, Dean Proctor, SSi Micro's chief development officer, said the decision was made on July 19 after several years of operating at a financial loss in smaller communities.
Nahanni Butte finance manager Roxanne Konisenta said the community secured Northwestel as a replacement on Sept. 28 and said it would be a relief to be connected once more.
"It was a nightmare, actually, without (Internet). It was just unreal," she said. "I can't believe how important Internet service is."
When contacted for comment, Northwestel's manager of external communications Adriann Kennedy confirmed a company technician is currently in the community and service installation began Sept. 28.
In a Sept. 15 news release issued jointly with Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche, Northwestel president and CEO Paul Flaherty stated the company will be working with community leaders in Nahanni Butte to ensure the community becomes reconnected and remains so.
"I am very happy that Northwestel acted quickly to restore Internet service to Nahanni Butte, especially when the community is dependent on it for banking, e-mail and business," stated Menicoche.
Menicoche contacted Northwestel for their service after finding out in August that Nahanni Butte had no Internet.
"When we heard that Nahanni Butte would be without Internet service, we felt it essential to step up and deliver a solution quickly that addressed the needs of the community," Flaherty stated.
In total, Northwestel will be spending $300,000 by early 2016 to provide upgrades to their infrastructure in Nahanni Butte.
The company is delivering DSL 2 satellite Internet service.
The company also intends to implement a faster microwave radio network to replace the existing satellite network.
