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Ice Wireless and Iristel announce partnership to expand range of telecommunications and Internet services in the Northwest Territories, Yukon and NunavutMay 28, 2012 (TELECOMWORLDWIRE via COMTEX) -- Provider of telephone and Internet services to rural and remote communities in northern Canada, Ice Wireless and Iristel, a Canadian provider of VoIP services, announced on Monday that the two companies have entered into a partnership to expand the range of telecommunications and Internet services available in the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut. According to both companies, regional telecommunications provider Northwestel, a Bell Canada subsidiary, has held a monopoly on telecommunications services in the area for some time, however, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) recently ordered that other competitive telephone companies be allowed to enter the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut markets from 1 May 2012. Iristel, a major shareholder in ICE, has been licensed by the CRTC as a carrier since 2000 and said it will now be competing with Northwestel in a range of telephone services including VoIP and wholesale long distance. Ice Wireless also plans to expand its network across the North in the coming months, with the addition of new data services, including high-speed 3G data and further local cellular coverage in larger communities. The two companies plan to offer a viable bundled communications solution for a range of telephony services to northern communities in Canada. Iristel said it has already received orders for over a million monthly wholesale long distance minutes into Northwestel's service area which will be delivered via ICE's northern-based network. Both companies will also offer VoIP phones for purchase and installation from Ice Wireless retail stores and other authorised dealers in Yellowknife by 1 July 2012 and in select markets to follow by the end of summer 2012. Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected] |