IQALUIT — Amid much turmoil and uncertainty due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Iristel released some positive news Wednesday, announcing its subsidiary Ice Wireless has completed a project to more than double its transport network capacity in Iqaluit.
“The infrastructure deficit in Canada’s Arctic makes its population vulnerable to unforeseen crisis events like the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Samer Bishay, CEO of both Iristel and Ice Wireless, in the news release. “Telecommunications infrastructure remains a very limited resource in the North, but we are pleased to be able to turn up this capacity at a time when it is most needed.”
The year-long upgrade project boosts both the quality and speed of mobile devices and wireless Internet service at a time when Iqaluimiut are relying even more on digital services to keep in touch with loved ones, receive telemedicine advice and counsel, work from home, and keep themselves entertained while practising social distancing, says the release.
The new network architecture uses a combination of multiple satellite technologies including traditional C-band fixed satellite services and combines Ka-band fixed satellite capacity made available through the open access component of Innovation, Science and Industry Canada’s Connect to Innovate program.
