Yellowknife (Oct 27/06) - An expanding Northern cell phone company is poised to give Yellowknifers another option when it launches a digital network next month.

Ice Wireless, a company based out of Inuvik, will begin operations in the capital in three weeks, said company president Tom Zubko.

Tom Zubko, president of Ice Wireless, stands by one of the company's Yellowknife transmitter sites on top of the Northern Heights apartment complex. The company plans to provide a digital cell phone service to residents of Yellowknife within a month. - David Ryan/NNSL photo

"Fundamentally, customers will not be locked into any long-term contracts," he said.

Customers can buy a package that includes free evening and weekend calls. They can also buy different plans to cover daytime calling.

Some cell phone models may be compatible with Ice Wireless's cell technology. Customers can also purchase cell phones from Ice Wireless, he said.

"There will be a full gamut of phones to choose from." said Zubko.

The company will use technology compatible with Roger Wireless, one of the biggest providers in the country. Roaming agreements between the two companies will allow Ice customers to call throughout Canada, said Zubko.

"This feature would be particularly attractive for transitory workers," he said.

With three transmitter sites close to being functional and a sales centre to be set up at Nishi-Khon/Key West Travel, Zubko is confident that residents of Yellowknife will be attracted to the new business. "People always like to see some competition in the marketplace," he said.

Yellowknife resident Jim Fennell agrees that consumers will benefit from another provider.

"It gives people another option, with a completely different system," he said.

Brianna McLeod, 15, and Chelsey Elanik, 16, both enjoy the current services they have with their cell phone provider, Bell Mobility.

"I like the service we have now. We don't have to worry about paying for minutes," said McLeod.

It could be confusing to pay for additional minutes every week or month, added Elanik.

Ice Wireless is a joint venture company with New North Networks, the Yukon Indian Development Corporation and Vuntat Development Corporation, which originally began wireless cell phone service in Inuvik and Whitehorse in 2005.