Northwestel has a 3 year plan to bring high speed unlimited Internet to every community in Yukon and Northwest Territories.
With funding from the CRTC and our own investments, we will harness world-leading fibre-to-the-home and low-earth-orbit satellite technology to make these territories among the most connected jurisdictions in Canada.
"Our Northern strength lies in our communities - each with their own stories and culture to share. When we erase distance and bring our communities together, our potential becomes… unlimited.”
Improving home Internet
Right now, smaller Northern communities have access to very different home Internet speeds and different rates than in larger communities. Within 3 years, we will bring all communities up to the same minimum standard of 50 Mbps download speeds with an option for unlimited data with the same Internet rates available in every community.
Introducing Unlimited Internet
Terrestrial DSL
Current
300 GB
15 mbps | 1 mbps
Future
Unlimited Data
500 mbps | 500 mbps
More details 
Satellite DSL
Current
60 GB
5 mbps | 1 mbps
Future
Unlimited Data
50 mbps | 10 mbps
More details
Hybrid Fibre-coax
Current
750 GB
250 mbps | 15 mbps
Future
Unlimited Data
500 mbps | 20 mbps
More details
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No rate increases for 5 years on Internet 50.
-
Same rates in communities as in northern city centres.
Closing the technology gap
Fibre-to-the-home
Old legacy technology within communities limits our ability to bring high-speed Internet to customers' homes. We'll solve that by laying fibre-optic cable right to the home - either along poles or buried underground.
Copper phone wires
- Limited capacity
- Deteriorate over time
- Not designated for Internet
Fibre optics
- Massive capacity
- Durable & reliable
- Designated for modern broadband
We're also adding even more fibre-optic cable to our transport network to strengthen connections for our customers in Faro, Ross River, Mayo and Dettah.
Low-earth-orbit satellite
The long distances and limited capacity of geo-stationary orbit satellites limit Internet speeds in remote areas of the North. We'll solve that by harnessing low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite technology. We'll also invest in next generation wireless-to-the-home technology to bring fast speeds to the doorstep.
LEO satellite
- 35x closer than GEO satellites
- Fibre-like performance
Ground stations will be installed in communities connecting to LEO satellites, bringing the Internet from space to your home.
Social and economic benefits
Quality of life
More data and faster speeds mean more choice for families and community members, whether they use the internet to boost their small business, video-chat with loved ones, or stream their favourite 4K content. And internet rates will always compare to what’s available in the North’s larger cities. No more choosing between work, education and play, unlimited possibilities for your whole family.
Local service
Customers will be served by technicians and customer support living and working in Northern Canada. Local Community Service Technicians in the communities will receive skills re-training so they can resolve issues on the new network within their home community.
Economic development
During construction, Northwestel will seek to use qualified local and northern services, contractors and suppliers where possible, unless specialized skills are required to complete the project.
Healthcare and education
International studies have shown that rural broadband access has a positive impact on healthcare and education outcomes. This project will reduce barriers to accessing quality government and social services, wherever you live.
“We're driven by a vision of a highly connected North where every Northern Canadian can prosper and thrive. We're getting there by delivering the most innovative communications solutions for the North.”
Acknowledging the North's Indigenous people
Northwestel operates on the traditional territories of many Indigenous peoples. We are grateful for the many partnerships that have helped build a strong northern network. We commit to moving forward in consultation and collaboration with local communities and Indigenous Governments.
Communities that grow with every post
Read how we’re building stronger, more connected communities across the North.
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