Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Apr 16/04) - Close to 100 customers in Fort Simpson found themselves without dial-up Internet service as of Friday. It's not temporary.

Shehtah Communications 2001 Ltd. was shut down when Internet Service Provider SSI Micro in Yellowknife severed ties. Shehtah was buying an Internet feed from SSI Micro and paying a fee in return.

Dennis Nelner, part owner of Shehtah Communications, said his company was behind on payments, but no farther behind than the usual two to three months over the past year.

"Our supplier called us on our debt that we had inherited when we took over the company... why all of a sudden now, I don't know," Nelner said.

He said he won't be billing for the month of April. He added that customers who pre-paid for service will be reimbursed.

Shehtah Communications is a limited company owned by Nelner and one other shareholder.

Ryan Walker, sales manager for SSI Micro in Yellowknife, said it wouldn't be appropriate to comment on the exact circumstances.

"It was related to payments, put it that way," said Walker.

Fort Simpson still has another Internet Service Provider, Senga Services.

Nelner noted that he is still moving forward with plans to establish wireless Internet service in Fort Simpson in the coming months.

"The dial-up itself was just, at best, break even," he said. "With the wireless, I'm hoping that it's more streamlined, faster, I'll be able to attract more clientele and the costs are reasonable."