Yellowknife, NWT - Residents throughout the Northwest
Territories are one step closer to being able to access new broadband
service thanks to a signed agreement between the Government of Canada and
Falcon Communications GP Ltd. Falcon Communications is wholly owned
by the Broadband Business Alliance Limited Partnership consisting of
Denendeh Investments Incorporated, Tetlit Gwich'in Council, 984252 NWT
Limited (Deline Land Corporation), Deh Cho Economic Corporation, Dogrib
Nation Trustco and Akaitcho Regional Investment Corporation. The new
service, to be introduced in 31 NWT communities currently without service,
will greatly enhance Northerners quality of life and enable people to more
effectively participate in the 21st century economy.
The Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State (Northern
Development), on behalf of Minister of State (Infrastructure and
Communities) John Godfrey and Minister of Industry David L. Emerson, and
Darrell Beaulieu of Falcon Communications, today announced the signing of
an agreement totaling $9.72 million, under the National Satellite
Initiative.
"Broadband is a key piece of infrastructure for 21st century
communities - infrastructure that enhances sustainable growth, supports
economic prosperity, and improves quality of life," said Minister
Blondin-Andrew."We are committed to working with the provinces,
territories, municipalities and partners such as Falcon Communications to
support sustainable communities all across Canada, as part of our
commitment to a New Deal for Cities and Communities. This agreement is
also consistent with the Northern Strategy."
The funding will help to bring broadband access to more than 43,000
residents, 14,000 households, 2,531 institutions and 2,100 businesses in
the NWT and bring broadband coverage to northern Aboriginal communities in
the NWT. First Nations, Métis, Inuvialuit and other residents of the
unserviced communities will soon be able to access services that are
increasingly taken for granted by many Canadians. Services such as
electronic banking and e-commerce, distance learning and telehealth, will
help stimulate economic growth and enhance people's quality of life.
"Falcon Communications with our partner SSI Micro are pleased to
deliver state-of-the-art technology, that is secure, provides a consistent
solution across the North, and provides mobility through roaming
capabilities, as well as open access to communities. Currently, satellite
infrastructure is being constructed, training plans for Community Service
Providers are being developed and we are projecting that full completion
and access to the new broadband service will be in October 2006, " said
Beaulieu.
The agreement covers the purchase of satellite capacity that will
enable broadband service to be provided through the new wireless broadband
network. The network will connect communities to each other and the
Internet backbone via satellite. Each building within a community, will be
able to connect to a satellite dish using a broadband wireless system.
The Government of Canada is contributing just over $12 million in
support of the network.Up to $7 million over 8 years will come from the
Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, to help defray the costs of
satellite delivered connections.The goal of the National Satellite
Initiative (NSI) is to provide affordable satellite capacity for broadband
services in communities in the far to mid-North, and in isolated and
remote areas of Canada, where satellite technology is the only practical
solution. This is the second NSI project to receive funding under the
Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.
The Government of Canada has also contributed over $5 million for the
network through the Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot
Program (BRAND). This has meant helping 31 communities across the NWT to
develop business plans and build satellite receiving stations. This
program was created to help provide high speed Internet access to
northern, rural and First Nations communities. It has been successful in
engaging partners across the country through a community driven approach
and will be providing service to more than 880 communities.
Falcon Communications GP Ltd. is a consortium responsible for putting
the finances together to launch the network. Under the agreement,
Falcon is contributing over $2.7 million for the purchase of satellite
capacity. SSI Micro Ltd., the company that designed, built and will own
and operate the network, has contributed over $4.7 million toward its
construction. Service will be delivered to residents through local
Community Service Providers in each NWT community.
Since 1993, the Government of Canada has committed over $12 billion to
infrastructure priorities across Canada. Under the New Deal for Cities and
Communities, an additional $5billion will flow to communities across
Canada over the next five years, including $37.5 million to the Northwest
Territories. The national figure will be $2billion per year
thereafter.
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Contacts:
Infrastructure CanadaCommunications and Promotion(613)
948-1148
Falcon CommunicationsDarrell Beaulieu(867)
920-2764
