Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Jane Groenewegen on February 28, 1997.
On February 28, Mrs. Groenewegen asked what arrangements have been made to ensure existing service providers are not negatively affected by the GNWT's contract for the electronic backbone. I want to assure Members that the process being undertaken to implement high speed telecommunications capabilities in the Northwest Territories has taken into consideration the implications the network may have for existing northern service providers. In fact, in many cases existing Internet providers will realize advantages from such a network.
The network will expand the opportunities for existing and new Internet service providers. They will have a very high speed, high quality network upon which to carry their data signals. Because of the capacity of this service, they will be able to offer a much larger range of services that depend upon higher speed communications. As a result of the extension of this service to every community in the Northwest Territories, they will be able to offer to their clients access to people and organizations in all communities. In addition, they will have the basis upon which to expand their scope of services to any other community, which today is only possible in the larger centres.
The contract negotiations currently under way with Ardicom Digital Communications Ltd. specifically deal with ensuring equitable access to the network for all entrepreneurs in the Northwest Territories. Unfair or anti-competitive pricing will in no way be supported by the government, and as well is subject to review by the Canadian Radio, Telecommunications and Television Commission.
As part of the negotiations, the government is ensuring that local and municipal level connections are separate from the backbone network that Ardicom will provide. In this way, local businesses will be able to compete for the opportunity to provide local connections, for example, using existing cable distribution systems or new wireless systems.
The government is committed to ensuring that high quality telecommunications are available to all communities and all residents in the Northwest Territories. We are attempting to do so with maximum participation from the private sector, and in a manner that provides benefits to all users in every community. Many opportunities will arise for local entrepreneurs to develop their business based upon the availability of this high quality backbone network.
Thank you.