We will connect communities to each other and the world through world-leading technology
According to Canada’s parliamentary report on Broadband Connectivity in Rural Canada, high-speed broadband brings real benefits to rural and remote areas through increased access to education, health care and economic opportunities.
Northwestel is focused on improving access to quality high-speed internet in every community we serve.
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Photo details: We launched our Katittuq Internet plans to Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, Arviat and Iqaluit in 2018, bringing 3x faster internet speeds to Nunavut. High-speed internet access in rural communities gives kids and adults alike access to more opportunities in education, employment, and entertainment.
In 2018, we launched the Tamarmik Nunaliit satellite network, tripling internet speeds in Nunavut. By 2023, every land-served community in the Yukon and Northwest Territories will have access to unlimited, high-speed internet.
There is much more to do. Our satellite-served communities are strained under the increased bandwidth needs of a new digital era. The most remote places need the most attention and we are actively exploring new solutions from fibre connectivity to low Earth orbit Satellite to serve the north’s most rural communities.
The important work in reconciliation builds on the ideas, visions, dreams of our past elders, leaders and generations before who wanted us to move forward as a people. From the teachings of our culture, language, and the way we did things- I see a promising day when we can see each other through a lens that is much wider in terms of our world view.
Uyenetsʼechįa (Sean Smith), Yukon First Nations
Language Centre, Kwanlin Dün First Nation
Northwestel partners with Indigenous translators like the Yukon First Nations Language Centre for translation projects across the north - like the northern Orange Shirt project in 2021, commemorating Every Child Matters in 18 Northern languages.
"If every community worked together towards safe, welcoming spaces that allow you to feel comfortable- if there was more of that in our communities, for our homes, ourselves and our minds, things may feel less hard, lonely and heartbreaking."
Tooma Laisa, Program Coordinator, Embrace Life Council
In the communities we serve, we strive to support initiatives that build a stronger north - like Embrace Life Council, a Nunavut-based suicide-prevention and mental health organization. Every year, Northwestel contributes $600,000 to projects all across the north in 4 focus areas: Indigenous culture and community, health and mental wellness, the arts, and youth initiatives.
Photo details: Guardian of the Games, acrylic on canvas, by Justin Smith
Northwestel Yukon Directory Art Cover, 2008
Our action plan
Past actions
Launched Every Community Program: Improved social and economic outcomes as education, health care and businesses gain access to world class Internet.
Tamarmik Nunaliit: 3x Internet speeds in Nunavut improve connectivity to the world.
Applied to Universal Broadband Fund for leveraging Low Earth Orbit Satellite technology: Partnerships established with potential LEO providers.
Launched Unlimited plans: Customers in major centres and fibre communities have access to unlimited internet.
Sponsorship program: Northwestel regularly contributes $600,000 to non-profit, including many Indigenous initiatives.
2022
Every Community Program continues: 12+ rural communities connected to fibre Internet.
CRTC Application for speed and increases and price drops approved: Major centres and fibre communities gain internet speed increases and price drops.
2023
Every Community Program continues: The majority of Northwest Territories and Yukon customers have access to highspeed Internet.
2024
Low Earth Orbit solutions deployed: All communities we serve gain access to high-speed Internet with speeds at or above the CRTC’s universal target goal of 50 mbps.
2025 Outcomes
- Communities have access to 50 mbps download/10 mbps upload or faster internet speeds.
- Social and economic outcomes in all 96 communities we serve improve as education, health care and businesses utilize world class Internet.
- Building world class, accessible, and affordable networks, and empowering connection across the 96 communities we serve.
