Qiniq’s Nunavut customers to get better service

People across Nunavut who use the Qiniq network will see big improvements in speed and reliability after Dec. 11, the Nunavut Broadband Development Corp. announced this week.

The Qiniq network offers a form of wireless internet access in 25 Nunavut communities, aided by an array of subsidies and grants provided by the federal government and others.

The latest upgrade, to be finished next week, draws $750,000 from a $21.6 million broadband subsidy fund that the federal government announced in August 2008.

SSI Micro, the Yellowknife-based company contracted to run the Qiniq network, will added another $750,000, bringing the total cost of the upgrade to $1.5 million.

Qiniq customers will not pay more for the improved service, Darrell Ohokannoak, the chair of the NBDC’s board, said in a press release.

“The completion of these innovative upgrades means that Nunavut residents in all 25 communities will be able to move more data, yet keep the same price for basic Qiniq services,” Ohokannoak said.

Right now, the price for a basic Qiniq consumer account still stands at $60.00 a month.

The federal government and SSI Micro are also spending $18.5 million to buy more satellite bandwidth.

“Many people don’t realize it, but QINIQ is a world class model of satellite wireless broadband connectivity, and we are very proud of it,” Jeff Phillip, the president of SSI Micro, said in a news release.

Qiniq has announced a customer appreciation giveaway contest from Dec. 1 to Dec. 12 to promote its beefed-up service. Entry details are available at: www.qiniq.com/christmas-story.

The NDBC expects to serve 6,800 internet customers in Nunavut by 2012.