YELLOWKNIFE – Embattled telecom Northwestel has announced a new partnership with Aurora Communications of Norman Wells to create a new business that will focus on providing voice and data solutions for the exploration industry. Borealis Communications will operate in the Tulita District of the Northwest Territories.
"Northwestel has enjoyed great success with partnerships for over 20 years," said Paul Flaherty, Northwestel President and Chief Executive Officer. “Bringing our expertise in telecommunications to specific markets identified by partners like Aurora Communications has worked very well for all parties involved, especially northern customers. Based on the continued growth in the North, we are very optimistic about the potential for Borealis Communications."
Northwestel says Borealis joins the ranks of other successful ventures between northern Aboriginal organizations and Northwestel including Latitude Wireless, Tundra Communications, Waterways Communications, Ardicom Ltd, and Tahltan River Communications.
The company has come under recent attack from competitors for its proposal to build high-speed wireless and enhanced Internet services for consumers across the north. In December 2011, the CRTC criticized Northwestel for not sufficiently investing in its network despite its strong financial performance.
And last week it was reported that cell service, land lines, internet and 911 were all down for about half a day in the Yukon and the Mackenzie Delta region of the Northwest Territories due to a problem at Northwestel's central office in Whitehorse that began following a territory-wide power outage. The disruption prompted the company to issue an online apology.
