Northwestel is taking steps to manage the anticipated increased pressure on communications services during the upcoming G7 Finance meeting in Iqaluit. The company is working to add temporary capacity to both Internet and cellular networks but Iqaluit customers may still notice some short-term service congestion during the event.

“The influx of visitors to Iqaluit for this event is equivalent to a population increase of approximately 10 percent,” said Paul Flaherty, Northwestel President and Chief Executive Officer. “This will bring considerable advantages to the community, including economic benefits such as business opportunities and increased spending on accommodation, food and other needs. It will raise national and international awareness and recognition of Iqaluit, Nunavut and the North as a whole.”

This significant international event is expected to stretch the resources of the community to meet the sudden increased demand for services of all kinds, including telecommunications. In anticipation, Northwestel and Bell Mobility are augmenting both Internet and cellular facilities to minimize network congestion.

Beginning on February 4^th and continuing through the 7^th, Iqaluit residents may still experience temporary reductions in service levels, such as busy signals when calling long distance, difficulty obtaining dial tone, dropped cellular calls and slower Internet speeds.

“Due to the measures being taken by Northwestel and Bell Mobility, these issues should be less severe than they might otherwise have been,” added Flaherty. “We are asking our customers for their patience throughout the short duration of the G7 meeting.”

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.