Internet, phone service disruptions expected overnight as Northwestel does maintenance work
Northerners can expect disruptions to some telecommunications services early Wednesday morning, according to Northwestel.
The company says it will be doing some planned network maintenance, that could affect internet and phone services in all three territories for several hours.
The work is planned to happen between 3 and 9 a.m. ET on Wednesday. The company says customers could see a disruption to some services lasting up to four hours during that period.
In the Yukon, all telecommunications services will be disrupted except some local calling and long-distance calling outside of Whitehorse.
In the N.W.T., internet services could be disrupted in communities with fibre technology outside of Yellowknife. Local calling in Yellowknife may be disrupted, except for copper-based technology, long-distance calling and cellular services. Internet will also be disrupted in satellite communities.
In Nunavut, long-distance calling will be disrupted in most communities.
Northwestel says the service disruptions could affect people's ability to contact emergency services. In a news release it advises people to "visit your local government or RCMP websites and Facebook pages to learn more."
Nunavut RCMP said in a news release that emergency lines will not be available during the six-hour period when Northwestel plans to do the work. That means there will be no 1111 service in many Nunavut communities, including Iqaluit. People in those communities are advised to contact their local RCMP detachment at 0123 if needed.
The Government of the Northwest Territories said in a news release Tuesday that it's taking steps to ensure 911 services remain operational during the outage. They suggest residents can also contact RCMP community detachments directly, or go in person to the detachment.
"If you are unable to reach your local health clinic or hospital by phone during a health emergency, go in person for any urgent needs," the release says. It also suggests calling 811 to speak with a nurse.
In the Yukon, people who need emergency assistance are asked to always try 911 first, and a landline. If that doesn't work, they're asked to go to the local hospital for help, or the fire hall in Whitehorse. Outside the capital, people can go to their local RCMP detachment or use the phone outside the local health centre to call for help.
Ambulances will also be stationed at several locations around Whitehorse during the service disruption, including the Qwanlin mall, the Canada Games Centre, North 60 Petrol in Porter Creek, the entrance to Whistle Bend, the top of Robert Service Way, the Carcross cut-off, and at Hamilton Boulevard and Lazulite Drive in Copper Ridge.
