- 99 per cent of northerners will have access to next generation wireless
and wireless broadband services within the next five years
- 58 northern communities will have access to Internet speeds two to three
times their current speed
- 100 per cent of northern communities will have access to calling
features
- The modernization plan is Northwestel's most ambitious investment in
infrastructure to date
WHITEHORSE, Jan. 16, 2013 /CNW/ - Northwestel today announced a plan to
invest $233 million in its telecommunications network to enhance
customer services. The capital spending is estimated to occur over a
five-year period and will provide northern Canadians with access to
advanced Internet and wireless networks.
"We have developed a modernization plan that delivers for our
communities," said Paul Flaherty, President and Chief Executive Officer
at Northwestel. "In addition to supplying more northern communities
with enhanced services, the plan puts in place measures to facilitate
competition and builds on partnerships with other parties. The
Northwestel plan outlines how we will bring next generation wireless
and broadband services to the North and essentially reduce distances
with technology. This plan puts northerners first and provides our
customers with access to modern and innovative services."
Northwestel's $233 million investment will be allocated to support core
infrastructure and to upgrade and expand new services by:
-
Bringing 3G wireless broadband service to an additional 67 northern
communities, enabling 99 per cent of northerners to access the latest
handsets, smartphones and tablets.
-
Upgrading existing wireline Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable
infrastructure to at least double Internet speeds in 58 communities
across Northern Canada within five years.
-
Delivering Enhanced Calling Features, including Call Display, to all 96
communities in Northwestel's operating area.
-
Enabling 84 per cent of the northern population to keep their phone
numbers if they choose to switch to another service provider.
"The team at Northwestel is excited by the opportunity to implement this
modernization plan and provide the communities we serve and our
customers with an unprecedented level of service," said Flaherty. "We
are working continuously to put our customers first at Northwestel and
are committed to providing these new services over the next few years.
We are working to ensure the customer is the winner as a result of this
modernization plan."
Northwestel's current modernization plan confirms its commitment to
invest $233 million in capital. This will be the most ambitious
expansion of communications technology ever undertaken in Northern
Canada and will provide Northwestel's customers with leading-edge
telecommunications services. Northwestel submitted its modernization
plan to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
(CRTC) on January 16, 2012.
Northwestel's detailed modernization plan for Northern Canada will be
available on the company's website at www.nwtel.ca. Members of the public are invited to submit comments to the CRTC and
support the plan. Northwestel has posted the details on how to
participate in the CRTC process on its site.
About Northwestel:
Northwestel Inc. services the largest operating area of any
telecommunications company in the western hemisphere over the most
remote and rugged terrain in Canada. It provides a complete range of
voice, video and data solutions to residential and business customers
in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia
and High Level, Alberta.
SOURCE: NorthwesTel
