Net: Internet Northern company to link Arctic

by Mark Sproxton
Northern News Services

NNSL (OCT 28/96) - A Northern owned and operated company will develop a digital communications network across the NWT.

Ardicom Digital Communications Inc. beat out two competitors to win a partnership with the territorial government to develop a network delivering voice, data and video transmissions.

"This is the first major contract for a Canadian aboriginal firm in the telecommunications sector," said Ardicom president David Connelly.

"It positions Northerners and Northern aboriginals alike, to participate as owners and managers in the new economy."

Ardicom is owned equally by Arctic Co-operatives Ltd., NorthwesTel and the Northern Aboriginal Services Company (NASCo). NASCo's shareholders are Nunasi Denendeh, Inuvialuit and Yukon Indian development corporation.

The territorial government will be the lead tenant on the system, which will deliver distance eduction, tele-medicine and government services over the network.

"To ensure that Northerners have access to the opportunities presented by a modern communications network, the GNWT has taken the step of acting as the anchor tenant to get this network off the ground," said John Todd, chairman of the Financial Management Board.

As owners and operators of the system, Ardicom will seek other customers for the service.

And Connelly believes numerous private businesses will spring from the network's birth.

In most communities it is likely someone will set up a service renting time in a videoconference facility, he said.

"The only limitations are peoples' imaginations," Connelly said.

Final details on the project, including the cost, are still being negotiated. The government wants the system up and running before division April 1, 1999.

Each community will have an uplink and downlink station. In most communities this equipment will be combined with existing community infrastructure.

It will use a broad- band delivery system, which is faster than using telephone lines. So if someone connects to the service, their Internet connections will be faster than they are today.

Ardicom's proposal will see schools, medical centres and government offices connected to the service.

Other users can connect to the service via cable, digital radio or wires, depending on where they live.