A partnership between the Community Government of Behchokö and Northwestel will bring a range of new and improved telecommunications services to the community.

The joint project will replace the existing telephone switching equipment in Behchokö. The new equipment will provide customers in the community with the same selection of telephone and internet services available to the majority of Yellowknife customers.

Northwestel and the Behchokö Community Government hosted a celebration at the Behchokö Cultural Centre on June 4th, to introduce community residents to the new and improved services. The services will be available after the project is completed, which is expected to happen later this month.

“This project is a great example of the priorities expressed in our company’s five-year strategic plan, which includes a strong focus on customers,” said Curtis Shaw, Northwestel Vice President, Consumer and Small Business Markets. “Through this kind of partnership, we are able to address the specific needs of a unique group of customers. This initiative will bring the people of Behchokö the benefits of new, more reliable and higher-quality telecommunications services. Northwestel is very excited to work together with the Community Government of Behchokö to bring these enhanced services to community residents.”

The project was made possible through joint financial contributions from both Northwestel and the Behchokö Community Government.

"The Community Government has worked with Northwestel to bring the modern phone and internet services our growing community needs,” said Behchokö Chief Leon Lafferty. “The improvements will make life easier, improve public safety and are a big help to our governments and businesses."

The project will provide Behchokö customers with a wide variety of calling features, including Voicemail, Call Display, Call Display Block, Call Forwarding, Call Return, Call Screen, Call Trace, Call Waiting, Call Waiting ID, Call Wakeup, Smart Ring, Speed Call, Three-Way Calling and Toll Denial. Customers will also have access to more and faster internet services, including three High Speed Internet packages: Lite, Classic and Ultra.

Northwestel provides complete telecommunications solutions and entertainment services in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta. The company’s operations span nearly 4 million square kilometres of the most remote and rugged areas of Canada.