Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Feb 08/02) - Dennis Nelner sees communications opportunities associated with a Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

Two months ago, with the backing of local investors, he acquired Shehtah Communications (2001) Ltd., an Internet service provider in Fort Simpson.

Dennis Nelner has his sights set on wireless communication in the near future. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

Maintaining Internet connections and e-mail service for his customers is only one part of his vision. He foresees wireless communications such as cell phones, palm pilots, wireless Internet and global positioning satellites (GPS) being in demand and made available in the Deh Cho.

"Iridium (phones) are like a quick fix for the time being, but you're tethered," said Nelner, who is managing Shehtah. "(Wireless) is where things are heading, so that's where I'm going ... I want to be able to press a button, uplink to satellite and invoice and e-mail customers."

He's been meeting with other firms from the NWT and the south in consideration of establishing partnerships. He's insistent that services be provided locally. Within the next 10 months Shehtah will be undertaking a recruitment and training drive for up to six people, he said.

"I'm focused very intently on training local people ... this company doesn't discriminate when it comes to community (members)," he said. Those who show the aptitude and ambition will be hired to provide services such as Web-page hosting and design and hooking up computer networks, he said.

"So I'm looking at setting up Simpson as a regional tech centre for a variety of services," he said. "I think I'm ready to go. It's been a short learning curve for me, baptism by fire."

Nelner, a former Deh Cho representative on the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, said he's now more focused on setting up his business than continuing to fight the "endless political battles."

However, he sees the pipeline as a definite reality, so developing infrastructure and capacity building are essential, he said.

"Development in the region is hard to come by right now, but the pipeline is coming whether we want it or not ... and believe me, it's not small potatoes," he said.