Ssi Micro pins expansion hopes on reduced fibre backbone service rates in the North

YELLOWKNIFE - SSi Micro is expressing cautious optimism over the CRTC’s plans to review Northwestel’s fibre backbone service rates in the hopes that it may result in greater telecom competition in the Western Arctic.The company, which is currently building a 4G-LTE and 2G wireless network in Nunavut, claims that Northwestel’s wholesale terrestrial backbone monopoly has allowed it to charge competitors wholesale rates that are up to 30 times higher than in Southern Canada, and several times higher than Northwestel’s own retail Internet pricing.“For SSi, fair and open access to backbone transport service is essential to develop a dynamic and competitive...