Cellular provider works out kinks in Nunavik’s new 3G network
“There are going to be some challenges as we roll out the network”
Ice Wireless is asking for customers’ patience as the company works out technical issues with its new cellular service roll-out in Nunavik.
The wireless company launched its 3G service in Quaqtaq this past March and in Kuujjuaq in early May.
Customers in Nunavik’s largest community say the service has been spotty, however. Some say they are unable to receive phone calls, access their voice mail, or reach the company’s customer service department.
For its part, Ice Wireless says the roll-out is still in its “soft launch” phase.
“We’ve had service in Kuujjuaq for about a month now … and we’re still in a network optimization period where we’re fine-tuning the network and the services that we deliver,” said Cameron Zubko, chief operating officer of Ice Wireless.
“So we’re within the realm of normal for what we’re doing. There are going to be some challenges as we roll out the network.”
Ice Wireless is the first to offer 3G service to the region, with national and international roaming through its parent company, Iristel.
The Kativik Regional Government’s Tamaani Internet service offers bandwidth to Ice Wireless through its telecommunications infrastructure, which was recently upgraded.
The mobile operator is offering prepaid plans to Nunavik customers starting at $9 a month and postpaid plans from $59 per month, including unlimited calls, texts and roaming throughout North America.
While it’s new to Nunavik, Ice Wireless launched 3G service in Iqaluit in 2013 and LTE in 2017.
“In both cases we had a period of adjustment there too,” Zubko said.
To ease the transition, Zubko said the company sent out a notice to its Nunavik customers earlier this month offering them a $25 credit while they work out the technical issues.
Customers who are having issues with their cellular service can contact the company at 1-855-474-7423.
Ice Wireless plans to expand its service to all of Nunavik’s 14 communities by the end of 2019.
lol….someone from Nunavik should have spoken with people in Iqaluit about how Ice Wireless works here. All I can say to this folks who are going to be relying on Ice in Nunavik is good luck and I hope you enjoy talking to tech support on the phone.
I hope that, they will realize, every time we buy new cell phones, they end up not working in North, because there are no sim cards available in North, they can only work in south.
For instance; new Huawei p30 lite needs telus sim card, there is no telus in North, neither koodo is not available all other types too.
try again technicians
So funny really. Cell phones, in our community. Most places are about a mile or so from one end to the next. Yup, you see people driving on our dirt roads like it was in Montreal, Toronto or Winnipeg. Oh to go so fast. Phone my boss, my boyfriend or call the takeout. Inuit that are use not to going to 9 to 5 , now with cell phones, calling what is so important. I think people should start to wake up really from a deep sleep. Our culture is so weak.
lol, Non-White, you finally realized that, our culture is so weak after a good 50 years +
we are in 20k.
Even, If I try to explain and teach younger generations, they have no more respects of older adults, aged friendly and so on, of our culture, it’s like “what’s culture” unless you are fair & strict to youth, cannot force life to try to take our culture back, unless few youth are into learning our culture and generations.
But then again, I agree with you, living in remote community, we live a mile away from each others, unless, you are out in land working on road projects far from town, cell phones would still be useful, but yet again, we have to portable carry on HF radios, which are penny less to talk with.
Nunavimmiuq, I agree with you too, but, sometimes HF portable carry on radios are not suitable for confidentiality, when in case, if we need to reach someone out of town that, needs to know something important and confidential, cell phones are appropriate to carry on, if being outskirt of the community.
in case of accidents, in case of family got sick and, in need of emergency requirement, and so on…
co-op cable tv techinicans need this. most cable tv subscribers dont have a phone and receivers need to be activated with a phone call.
Inurqilariratauvisii, pure Inuk people replying on our culture. Lol
Why do people expect to be inurqikallaq, taitsumanitaalummit inuugiamit aliagijaliit.
qimmiijartavinialuugatsi taisumanitartitut piusiqarqisi. live today as present! forget the past, your prime minister already forgave you with $$$$$$$$ and youre still not sure how to live 21st century life..
On the other side, I cant wait for the cellular service in my hometown.. happy for that! Can Tamani internet also give me credit for the poor service they have (slow internet, their lazy ass workers should be removed and hire new people, or add extra workers at least) can’t even answer the damn phone or reply to my e-mail.
hey nunavik… the Qalluiyapait army is afraid of the 21st century technology. inuqqi’s will always be inuqqi’s .. with tv’s ..they dont know the difference between channel 3 and HDMI. tv screen goes block blue or green they dont know what to do ,either take the remote or check their connections.