The Canadian government announced Friday it is providing more than $2.3 million from its $3.225-billion Universal Broadband Fund to help support projects that will bring high-speed internet access and mobile connectivity to remote areas of the Northwest Territories.
More than $1.9 million in federal funding will go toward a Northwestel project that will bring high-speed internet connectivity to 152 Indigenous households in the community of Whatì.
In addition, $480,000 of UBF funding is being invested in a project by SSi Micro Ltd. to provide cellular access to a repositionable communications shelter, located in traditional hunting and fishing grounds near Fort Providence, that will allow communities to stay connected no matter where they are on the land, a government press release says.
These projects are helping the federal government exceed its commitment to ensure 98 per cent of Canadians have access to high-speed internet by 2026, and 100 per cent by 2030, according to the release.
“Today’s announcement that we are investing over $2.3 million is a significant milestone in bridging the digital gap,” Michael McLeod, member of parliament for Northwest Territories, said in the release. “Connecting Indigenous communities to high-speed Internet and mobile coverage is a top priority. These projects bring us closer to our goal and honour our commitment to ensure that Indigenous communities are not left behind.”
“Connecting Whatì with fibre-to-the-home Internet is a testament to the power of partnership in the North,” said Paul Gillard, vice-president of business markets at Northwestel, a Bell subsidiary. “We’re grateful for the support from the Tłı̨chǫ Government and the Government of Canada that enabled us to bring 500 Mbps unlimited Internet service to the community. We’re proud to bring the very best technology available in Canada to connect communities across the North.”
“The Land Life Link (L3) provides state-of-the-art telecommunications and monitoring systems, with safety equipment and supplies, that are packaged in an autonomous portable shelter for rapid deployment,” said Jeff Philipp, founder and CEO of SSi Canada. “In consultation with the Chief and Council of the Deh Gáh Got’îê First Nation of Fort Providence, we will be deploying this L3 down the river from the community, providing on-the-land safety for hunters and trappers as well as visitors to the area… Along with SSi’s design and investments, the investments from the Government of Canada’s Universal Broadband Fund are allowing the benefits of the Land Life Link to become a reality.”
