QUEBEC CITY – Naskapi Imuun and OmniGlobe Networks have finalized agreements that creates Canada’s first national cellular service provider that is equally owned by an Aboriginal partner. The new joint-venture known as Lynx Mobility Inc. delivers cellular phone services to small un-served communities in remote and rural Canada. Lynx Mobility was officially launched by Philip Einish, president of Naskapi Imuun and Jason Neale, OmniGlobe Networks’ CEO, and witnessed by Phil Fontaine, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations during the 29th Annual General Assembly that took place in Quebec City last week.
The two companies began exploring the feasibility of providing cellular telephone services to First Nation communities and remote regions in Canada last year when new reports revealed that the total market opportunity is approximately seven percent (7%) of the country’s population, or an estimated 3 million potential subscribers. The two companies joined forces, combining OmniGlobe’s technical expertise in delivering fixed and mobile wireless services over a satellite infrastructure, along with Naskapi Imuun’s proven expertise in installation, administration and management of remote telecommunications services.
The partners then developed a viable low-cost solution that would be ideally suited for remote and rural communities and would meet all of their technical, price and scalability requirements. "The communities that we have been talking to have been asking for cellular services for a long time but the incumbent providers’ infrastructure and business models are not well suited for sparsely populated areas. Up until now, they simply had no viable alternatives. The arrival of Lynx Mobility will revolutionize that," explains Benoit Fleury from Lynx Mobility.
The Lynx Mobility business model provides a “sustained partnership arrangement” with local communities, enabling them to locally brand and manage their own cellular network. "This community-driven approach provides a long-term sustainable solution for our citizens. The revenues generated can be shared within the community, which will help in capacity building and job creation," adds Philip Einish, president of Naskapi Imuun.
A first demonstration site has successfully been deployed in Kawawachikamach of northern Quebec, and enables local residents to establish local and long distance calls. Lynx Mobility now plans to extend the coverage to three additional neighbouring communities in and around the Schefferville area. Other sites are also expected to become operational in the fall of this year.
