MVFL mission furthers satellite business

News Releases

YELLOWKNIFE (June 19, 2015) – A delegation from Northwest Territories travelled to Europe from June 7-12 to promote the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link (MVFL). The delegation included Premier Bob McLeod, Minister J Michael Miltenberger, Minister Robert C McLeod, MLA Robert Hawkins, officials from the federal and territorial governments and a representative from the Northern Lights General Partnership, the contractor for the MVFL.

The delegation visited clients for both the MVFL and the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility (ISSF), including:

  • Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), Norway Space Agency
  • University of Tromso
  • Swedish Space Corporation (SSC)
  • European Space Agency (ESA)
  • Italian Space Agency (ASI)
  • Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
  • Airbus Defence and Space, Germany
  • German Aerospace Centre (DLR)

"The visits to the space agencies and satellite operators confirmed a very high level of international interest in the ISSF and MVFL" said Premier Bob McLeod. "Expansion of the ISSF, supported by the MVFL, will help create new jobs and opportunities in the high-tech sector for residents of the region and the NWT. The GNWT will work with the Aurora Research Institute and the Town of Inuvik to support these emerging business opportunities. In addition, increased connectivity in communities along the MVFL route will support improved delivery of government services, as well as create opportunities for residents to participate in the growing digital economy.”

During the mission, the Government of Canada furthered their discussion and plans with the different space agencies and anticipates more antennas on the site in the near future.

The Government of Canada established the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility in 2010 in collaboration with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and PrioraNet Canada (PNC); it currently has three 13-metre receiving antennas in operation. Site preparation work for a fourth dish is underway and a fifth dish is being planned for summer 2016. National and international interest in the ISSF has increased since construction on the MVFL began, with access to high bandwidth that will be delivered by the MVFL being key to develop the site further.

Construction on the 1200 km MVFL began in January 2015 and over one-third of the cable was installed by April. Construction will continue through the summer and next winter, with the project on schedule to meet its planned in-service date of mid-2016.

Media inquiries:

Roya Grinsted
Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2308
Email: roya_grinsted@gov.nt.ca