YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES--(Marketwired - June 8, 2016) - New, faster Internet packages are arriving in the community of Nahanni Butte, Northwest Territories, allowing residents and businesses to connect with the world like never before.

Residents and business in the community now have access to unprecedented speeds and larger usage caps with the launch of DSL Internet 5 and DSL Internet 15.

DSL Internet 15 provides download speeds up to 15 megabits per second (Mbps), 6 times faster than previously available in Nahanni Butte. Residential customers will also receive 200 gigabytes per month in usage, a 500% increase that will allow them to browse, stream and download more than before.

Partnering to Connect the Community

As part of the Northwest Territories Broadband Infrastructure initiative, Northwestel restored Internet service to Nahanni Butte - a small, remote community of just over 100 residents - in October 2015, after the incumbent service provider withdrew from the area.

At that time, Northwestel also committed to delivering a microwave radio network to replace the existing satellite network. This network improvement was completed in April 2016, providing residents and business with faster, more reliable and more affordable Internet than their previous satellite service.

This innovative upgrade was completed in partnership with Falcon Communications and the Government of Canada, which contributed 50% of the capital costs of the microwave system installation.

Investing in the Northwest Territories

Nahanni Butte is one of many communities in the Northwest Territories that are receiving support from the Government of Canada for enhanced broadband Internet service. Overall, the federal government is contributing up to $14.8 million towards these broadband enhancements in 30 of the 33 communities in the Northwest Territories.

The broadband infrastructure initiative will help Northwest Territories residents connect and access greater learning resources. Local businesses will also be able to take advantage of new market opportunities, thereby helping to stimulate the economy in Canada's North. To date, all 30 communities served by this project have improved access to high-speed Internet at rates comparable to Yellowknife and 28 have advanced mobile Internet services. The project is expected to be completed in 2017.

Quotes

"Our ongoing investments to expand Canada's connectivity and broadband access will help improve quality of life and allow Northerners to actively engage with the world, as well as to benefit from additional educational activities. These investments will also foster growth and development in the North by supporting economic diversification and encouraging Northerners' participation in the economy."

- The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Northwestel is committed to delivering the best telecommunications service to the North, and these new Internet packages will allow customers in Nahanni Butte to connect faster than ever before. We are proud to play a major role in the improvement of broadband infrastructure in the North, offering services that bring our customers closer to the things that matter most to them."

- Paul Flaherty, President and CEO of Northwestel

"Together, we have delivered faster, more reliable service to a community in one of the most remote regions in the Northwest Territories. We're happy to see that the opportunities for residents and businesses have grown as faster DSL Internet service has expanded to communities across the Northwest Territories."

- Darrell Beaulieu, President and CEO of Falcon Communications

Associated Links

To learn more about Canada's new infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/index-eng.html

For more information about the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/prog/other-autres-eng.html#csif-fcis

For additional information on Northwestel: www.nwtel.ca

To learn more about Falcon Communications: www.denendehinvestments.ca

For more information on the Northwestel Modernization Plan: https://www.nwtel.ca/about-us/who-we-are/investing-canadas-north/our-modernization-plan

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Web: Infrastructure Canada