Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (June 01/05) - The long wait for high speed broadband Internet service in Nunavut is finally over - at least for some communities.

A gala celebration was held in Rankin Inlet this past Thursday, May 26, to officially launch QINIQ (to search), Nunavut's new wireless broadband network.

Noah Tiktak of Rankin Inlet, left, and Adamee Itorcheak of Nunanet Communications display the portable unit that can connect people to the Internet from the land during the network's official launch in Rankin this past week.

Lorraine Thomas is the project manager for the Nunavut Broadband Development Corp.

She said the federal government will contribute $7.83 million to the QINIQ network over eight years through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.

The feds have also contributed almost $3.9 million through the Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program.

"Right now, we have eight communities on-line, and everyone will be connected within the next two weeks," said Thomas.

"There's still lots to be done, but there's potential in this network to bring jobs into communities and make people's lives better."

An impressive display of network capabilities was scheduled for the launch, including a portable unit that can connect people to the network for upwards of 90 minutes while on the land.

Thomas said the network is an invaluable communication tool.

"The phone service was out at the hotel I stayed at in Rankin and I was the organizer of the official launch.

"But it didn't matter, because the broadband and voice-over allowed me to stay in touch with everyone.

"That's just one small example of its capability.

Eager for connection

George Dunkerley is the executive director for the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre in Rankin.

He's been eagerly anticipating the launch so he can improve the Community Access program (CAP) the friendship centre hosts.

"I have 16 computers working through one dial-up connection because the CAP site is linked to my office network," said Dunkerley.

"At 4 p.m., when the kids are all here doing their homework, our Internet speed gets awful slow."

Dunkerley said broadband will also help those trying to access the centre's Web site.

"It will be nice to have people accessing our website at a reasonable speed, which we hope will lead to a substantial increase in the number of hits on the page. "The two biggest advantages to us will be the speed factor and being able to expand the CAP."