Northwestel agrees to additional network investments to settle CRTC non-compliance case

In a settlement with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Northwestel – part of the Bell Canada group – has agreed to spend CAD5 million (USD3.75 million) in additional network upgrades within three years, following its contraventions of the Telecommunications Act in failing to obtain CRTC approval for rates it charged for nine telecoms services. CAD3 million will be spent on bringing fibre to First Nation offices, schools, health centres and government offices in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and northern British Columbia, with CAD2 million earmarked for expanding cellphone services along roads in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.