News Release

November 24, 2005

INFRASTRUCTURE AGREEMENT PROVIDING GREATER BROADBAND ACCESS IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Yellowknife, NWT – Residents throughout the Northwest Territories are one step closer to being able to access new broadband service thanks to a signed agreement between the Government of Canada and Falcon Communications GP Ltd.  Falcon Communications is wholly owned by the Broadband Business Alliance Limited Partnership consisting of Denendeh Investments Incorporated, Tetlit Gwich’in Council, 984252 NWT Limited (Deline Land Corporation), Deh Cho Economic Corporation, Dogrib Nation Trustco and Akaitcho Regional Investment Corporation. The new service, to be introduced in 31 NWT communities currently without service, will greatly enhance Northerners quality of life and enable people to more effectively participate in the 21st century economy. 

The Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State (Northern Development), on behalf of Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities) John Godfrey and Minister of Industry David L. Emerson, and Darrell Beaulieu of Falcon Communications, today announced the signing of an agreement totaling $9.72 million, under the National Satellite Initiative.

“Broadband is a key piece of infrastructure for 21st century communities – infrastructure that enhances sustainable growth, supports economic prosperity, and improves quality of life,” said Minister Blondin-Andrew.“We are committed to working with the provinces, territories, municipalities and partners such as Falcon Communications to support sustainable communities all across Canada, as part of our commitment to a New Deal for Cities and Communities. This agreement is also consistent with the Northern Strategy.”

The funding will help to bring broadband access to more than 43,000 residents, 14,000 households, 2,531 institutions and 2,100 businesses in the NWT and bring broadband coverage to northern Aboriginal communities in the NWT.  First Nations, Métis, Inuvialuit and other residents of the unserviced communities will soon be able to access services that are increasingly taken for granted by many Canadians. Services such as electronic banking and e-commerce, distance learning and telehealth, will help stimulate economic growth and enhance people’s quality of life.

“Falcon Communications with our partner SSI Micro are pleased to deliver state-of-the-art technology, that is secure, provides a consistent solution across the North, and provides mobility through roaming capabilities, as well as open access to communities. Currently, satellite infrastructure is being constructed, training plans for Community Service Providers are being developed and we are projecting that full completion and access to the new broadband service will be in October 2006, ” said Beaulieu.

The agreement covers the purchase of satellite capacity that will enable broadband service to be provided through the new wireless broadband network. The network will connect communities to each other and the Internet backbone via satellite. Each building within a community, will be able to connect to a satellite dish using a broadband wireless system.

The Government of Canada is contributing just over $12 million in support of the network.Up to $7 million over 8 years will come from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, to help defray the costs of satellite delivered connections.The goal of the National Satellite Initiative (NSI) is to provide affordable satellite capacity for broadband services in communities in the far to mid-North, and in isolated and remote areas of Canada, where satellite technology is the only practical solution. This is the second NSI project to receive funding under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.

The Government of Canada has also contributed over $5 million for the network through the Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program (BRAND). This has meant helping 31 communities across the NWT to develop business plans and build satellite receiving stations. This program was created to help provide high speed Internet access to northern, rural and First Nations communities. It has been successful in engaging partners across the country through a community driven approach and will be providing service to more than 880 communities.

Falcon Communications GP Ltd. is a consortium responsible for putting the finances together to launch the network.  Under the agreement, Falcon is contributing over $2.7 million for the purchase of satellite capacity. SSI Micro Ltd., the company that designed, built and will own and operate the network, has contributed over $4.7 million toward its construction.  Service will be delivered to residents through local Community Service Providers in each NWT community. 

Since 1993, the Government of Canada has committed over $12 billion to infrastructure priorities across Canada. Under the New Deal for Cities and Communities, an additional $5billion will flow to communities across Canada over the next five years, including $37.5 million to the Northwest Territories. The national figure will be $2billion per year thereafter.

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