IKAAHUK/SACHS HARBOUR - You can access the Internet in Sachs Harbour, but you might end up paying more than you originally planned.

Slow access can be a hindrance for anyone, from the surfer looking to see the newest YouTube sensation, or a professional checking their e-mails.

"Xbox live isn't even an option," said resident gamer J.D. Keogak. "It gets choppy and slow."

While other game enthusiasts will brave the slow speeds and lag, Keogak said he can't play with those conditions.

Similar to many youth around him, Keogak was born in Inuvik and raised in Sachs Harbour. He said he looks forward to his visits back to Inuvik for the difference in Internet speeds.

The Internet is popular in Sachs. Keogak said nearly every household has services through Airware.

There are three plans being offered currently. Gold, Diamond and Platinum. Keogak said his household uses the Gold program.

"The issue is, once we go over the limit it needs to be topped up," said Keogak.

"We're paying over $100 a month."

The speed for the service keeps up for two weeks, but then things start to slow down and a boost is needed. Jolene Donovan compared it to a battery.

"The more you use it the slower it is," she said.

She finds herself calling the customer service representative in the community and paying a cost to get more bandwidth for the rest of the month.

If she opted not to pay the extra fee, she said it could take upwards of five minutes to load a single web page.

Everyday Internet activities such as downloading songs and watching online streaming videos seem out of touch for users in the community.

She said last week, a younger relative wanted a new selection of downloaded music.

"I told her I wish the Internet was fast enough to download new music," said Donovan.

Trips to Inuvik aren't just for shopping any more. Donovan knows friends who also use their time away from home to mass download new movies and music.

Contrary to what people might think, Northern Internet service provider NorthwesTel is not the residential provider for Sachs Harbour.

A representative told News/North that it offers commercial service, but currently has no businesses using it.

Residential net surfers are supplied Internet services by Airware, a subsidiary of SSI Micro in Yellowknife.

The service is sent via satellite to a station in the community, where it is then sent by wireless to each subscriber and their modem.

Dean Proctor, SSI Micro's chief development officer, said SSI's service is one to call home about.

He explained there are two basic components used to bring the world wide web to NWT communities.

The first step in connecting the Internet is the satellite signal. The second and most visible part of the operation is what Proctor calls the 'terrestrial' component.

On the ground, the Internet signal is handled by a system called 'Expedience' which is made by Motorola.

Proctor claims the device is capable of providing 4G speeds, which are comparable to signals picked up in the southern Provinces of Canada.

"Each community is capable of high speeds," said Proctor. "It's all about what each consumer subscribes to."

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