ICE WIRELESS CLAIMS the Yukon government’s support for the roll out of 4G wireless services to additional communities in the Territory is at odds with federal government policy (Cartt.ca, October 20). We disagree.
The Yukon government’s investment is focused on delivering benefits to residents and businesses in communities where the exceptionally high costs involved make delivering advanced services very difficult.
This is entirely consistent with federal government policy. Just last week, for example, Industry Canada invited proposals from industry to expand high-speed broadband in rural, remote and northern regions. It’s also consistent with Northwestel’s Modernization Plan, an unprecedented commitment to improving northern communications infrastructure launched in 2012.
Ice Wireless knows this. Moreover, it actually participated in the evaluation process used by the Yukon government to determine how best to support the delivery of more advanced wireless services in communities where commercial roll outs are simply not viable.
As a result of that process and the Yukon government’s support, and as originally envisioned as part of our Modernization Plan, residents and businesses in Pelly Crossing and Burwash Landing now enjoy the benefits of 4G wireless service. Over the next three years, an additional 8 communities (combined population of less than 1,700) will enjoy the same.
Given the challenges associated with serving these small communities, delivering advanced wireless service to each represents a tremendous accomplishment and a clear example of the pivotal role government support can play in delivering advanced communications services in Canada’s North.
Paul Flaherty is president and CEO, Northwestel Inc.
