Brief disruptions to telecommunications services provided via satellite are expected in the coming weeks. This is due to a natural phenomenon called sun transit.

 

Sun transit occurs twice a year, when the sun crosses the earth’s equatorial plane during the spring and fall equinoxes.

 

This year’s spring equinox disruptions are expected to occur in the North from February 21 to March 5. Sun transits affect communities which receive telecommunications services by satellite.

 

“There will be only one disruption per day in each community,” said Sunny Patch, Northwestel Manager of Corporate Communications. “The exact times will depend on the locations of the community and the satellite providing service. These disruptions are very short, only between two and sixteen minutes long. For the most part, the disruptions go unnoticed.”

 

If people do have trouble trying to place long distance calls, or making data or Internet transmissions, it is recommended that they try again after a few minutes, when the disruption is likely to be over. Local telephone service is not affected.

 

During sun transit periods, the sun aligns directly behind satellites for a few minutes each day. When a satellite is directly between the sun and a receiving satellite dish on the earth, the sun’s enormous natural radio frequency noise overpowers the satellite signal. This causes a brief service disruption, which may take the form of noise, fading or interruptions to long distance, data, Internet, television and radio services whose signals are carried via satellite.

 

For more information on the effect of sun transit on satellite transmissions, check Telesat’s website at http://www.telesat.ca/en/Sun_Transit_Calculator.

  

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.

 

In 2010, Northwestel contributed more than $600,000 in cash and in-kind donations to many northern community groups. Throughout its history, Northwestel has played a key role in the economic, social and cultural development of the North. Northwestel is recognized as a key contributor to the well-being of northern communities through its community investment program and the volunteer contributions of its employees.

 

For more information, contact:

 

Sunny Patch

Corporate Communications Manager, Northwestel

(867) 455-4245