SSi’s Nunavut mobile phone customers can now roam on Rogers

SSi Mobile smartphone customers in every Nunavut community are now able to roam on the national wireless network run by Rogers Communications Inc., the two companies announced on Monday, July 22.

At the same time, Rogers customers in the south who visit Nunavut can now use their devices in all of Nunavut’s 25 communities.

It’s part of a recent agreement between SSi Micro Ltd. and Rogers, and follows SSi’s decision last year to offer mobile phone service in all 25 communities.

That move took direct aim at SSi’s main competitor in Nunavut, Northwestel Inc., which is 100 per cent owned by telecom giant Bell Canada.

To promote their new service, SSi slashed its rates for mobile long-distance minutes and data usage.

But until now, it wasn’t clear how SSi customers could use their devices when travelling in the south.

“As the only network operator with coverage in all 25 communities, SSi Mobile is growing quickly in numbers and popularity with consumers. This partnership with Rogers adds another level of excellence, ensuring the highest quality roaming connectivity across the country,” Jeff Philipp, the founder and CEO of SSi, said in a news release.

As part of the agreement, SSi received a sub-licence from Rogers that allows SSi to use a larger block of radio frequency within the 1900-MHZ range for its wireless services in Nunavut and Yellowknife.

SSi said its deal with Rogers will give its mobile phone customers seamless 4G-LTE and GSM connectivity on SSi’s northern network.

“This agreement connects customers from both companies to the moments that matter most in their lives, whether it’s travelling to or from Canada’s North for business or pleasure,” Dean Prevost of Rogers said in the news release.

Northwestel said last year that it hopes to roll out a competing 4G LTE wireless mobile service in all Nunavut communities by the end of 2019.

SSi has operated the Qiniq internet network in Nunavut since 2005.