Telecommunications provider Northwestel has announced that internet, cell phone, and landline calling have been restored across the Yukon, Nunavut, and Northern B.C. This comes as a relief to residents in these areas who were left without service due to a recent outage. However, parts of the Northwest Territories are still experiencing issues with their communication services, as damage to fibre optic lines caused by a wildfire continues to impact connectivity.
In the Northwest Territories, crews are working diligently to repair the damaged fibre optic lines between Kakisa and Jean Marie River. Northwestel is optimistic that full service will be restored across the N.W.T. by the end of the day on Sunday. Despite these efforts, some areas in the N.W.T. may still face internet connectivity problems until the repairs are completed.
Tammy April, vice president of customer experience with Northwestel, provided an update on the restoration efforts. She mentioned that residents in the South Slave and Yellowknife areas should have their long-distance calling restored and everything should be working smoothly. However, as you move further north into the Mackenzie Valley and Beaufort Delta regions, internet connectivity may still be congested.
In the Yukon, crews were able to repair a significant stretch of fibre optic line near Fort Nelson, B.C., on Saturday night. This allowed for all Yukon communities to regain service, although it may still be congested in some areas. The restoration of services also benefited the McKenzie Valley and Delta regions, providing some relief to residents in those areas.
The outage not only affected regular communication services but also posed challenges for emergency officials. Julia Duchesne, a spokesperson with Yukon Protective Services, highlighted the impact on emergency communication. With telecoms down, officials had to resort to „old-fashioned“ methods of communication, such as ham radio operators. These operators played a crucial role in relaying information and ensuring that emergency services could still function effectively during the outage.
Overall, the restoration of internet, cell phone, and landline calling services in the Yukon, Nunavut, and Northern B.C. is a significant step towards normalcy for residents in these regions. While challenges remain in parts of the Northwest Territories, Northwestel is working diligently to resolve the issues and restore full connectivity. The outage serves as a reminder of the importance of reliable communication infrastructure, especially in emergency situations where quick and effective communication is essential.