Telecommunications throughout the territory have been severely disrupted due to rising wildfire activity in nearly every region of the NWT.
Northwestel, the predominant internet service, data service, and phone service company in the NWT, has issued a statement regarding telecommunications coverage in the territory.
According to Northwestel, Hay River, Fort Smith, Enterprise, Fort Providence, and Jean-Marie River are currently on a complete internet, long distance phone, and cell service blackout.
“We are coordinating with the emergency management office to access sites and repair service as quickly as we can safely do so,” Northwestel says.
On the contrary, phone and cell access in Tulita, Deline, Fort Good Hope, Norman Wells, Wrigley, and Fort Resolution has been restored and Northwestel says they are working to bring internet services back online.
Additionally, Northwestel says services in Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk, Tsiigehtchic, Aklavik, and Fort McPherson remain available but limited.
Access to damaged infrastructure along the Mackenzie Valley and in southern NWT remains limited for Northwestel repairs, but the company says they are working with NWT Fire to begin restoration soon.
