YELLOWKNIFE – Bell Mobility has launched its 4G wireless service in the Northwest Territories communities of Gameti, Nahanni Butte, Paulatuk and Ulukhaktok.
The upgrade, completed in partnership with Falcon Communications, is part of Northwestel's Modernization Plan that will see advanced Internet and wireless services delivered to northerners in all three territories, the company said Monday. Bell Mobility is meeting the wireless commitments in the plan after Northwestel transfered its wireless portfolio to Bell Mobility in October 2013.
The federal government is contributing approximately $700,000 to the 4G projects in Gameti, Nahanni Butte, Paulatuk and Ulukhaktok through Falcon Communications. This contribution accounts for approximately one half of total eligible project costs, continued the announcement.
Unlike more conventional 4G wireless upgrades, the service relies on satellite technology to connect wireless signals due to the more remote nature of the communities. Non-satellite 4G wireless service is already provided by Bell Mobility in the NWT communities of Aklavik, Behchoko, Enterprise, Fort Good Hope, Fort Liard, Fort McPherson, Fort Providence, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik, Jean Marie River, Kakisa, Norman Wells, Tsiigehtchic, Tuktoyaktuk, Tulita, Whati, Wrigley, and Yellowknife.
"The Bell Mobility team is pleased to provide our customers in Gameti, Nahanni Butte, Paulatuk and Ulukhaktok with the latest wireless technology as we continue the rollout of 4G wireless service in the North," said Bell Mobility president Wade Oosterman, in the news release. "Bell is acknowledged in Canada and globally for our network investment and innovation, delivering the best mobile products the world has to offer to both consumers and business users. We're bringing that same focus to northern Canada and to meeting the targets set out in Northwestel's Modernization Plan."
