WINNIPEG – A fire at an MTS Allstream radio communications site at Notigi Lake, 110 kilometres north-west of Thompson (which itself is about 800 kms north of Winnipeg), is impacting telecommunications services for several communities in north-western Manitoba including Leaf Rapids, Lynn Lake and South Indian Lake, the company said this afternoon.
The fire has destroyed the buildings, diesel generators and microwave equipment at the site. This damage has blocked calling services in and out of the affected communities, as well as FleetNet 800 digital radio services in the affected communities. Local calling in each community will still be functioning.
“MTS Allstream has engaged emergency network recovery processes, is engaging stakeholders with communications assets in the affected areas to explore potential for mitigation, and is reviewing the damage at the Notigi Lake site to carry out expedited repairs,” says the press release.
“Based on the preliminary assessment of the circumstances it is anticipated at this time that restoration will take at least two weeks. MTS Allstream will provide further updates on the progress of the restoration once they are available.”
