Customers fed up with local Internet Service Provider
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Dec 06/00) - Customer complaints are mounting as the local Internet service provider in Rankin struggles with a system running at maximum capacity and minimum speed.
Myrna Michon, executive director of the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre, says enough is enough.
The fact that there is only one service provider available it just as frustrating as the current service, she says.
"We're trapped using this system and it's reached the point of being ridiculous," says Michon. "I tried for three hours to get an urgent e-mail to B.C. and couldn't log on.
"I had my e-mail program set to redial 75 times and still didn't make it."
Michon has to do her personal Internet business at night when she gets home from the office.
The only way she can is to turn in early, set her alarm clock, and get up in the middle of the night to log on.
The constant busy signal is starting to affect her business and that's got her fighting mad.
"Space is so limited, people are staying connected once they're on. Most users know you can set an e-mail program to check for mail every five minutes so you aren't kicked off the server for inactivity."
Waiting for approval
Sakku Computers and Electronics tech Grant Kullman-Alldred says the system is simply maxed out.
He and fellow tech Ken Haines can upgrade the system, but need financial approval from their company.
"Right now, the connection is, basically, two 56K modems running simultaneously," says Kullman-Alldred.
"If we had the system in place we want, it would be about five times that -- faster and easier to log on to."
Haines says he's hoping Sakku Investments will make a decision on the upgrade when its directors meet in early December.
Everything is set up on his end but he says he can't move forward without company approval. Users will just have to make do until that happens.
"Until I have a commitment from Sakku Investments, I can't say anything to our frustrated users other than please try and be patient," says Haines.
"Nothing is going to speed this up until the board makes a decision and they have to discuss it further because of their financial situation."
