Keewaywin First Nation celebrating the launch of their new Keewaywin Cell Service
Keewaywin press release ...
KEEWAYWIN FIRST NATION AND THEIR PARTNERS CELEBRATE THEIR NEXT GENERATION CELLULAR SERVICES
Keewaywin, Ontario – June 30, 2009 – On July 15, the Chief and Council of Keewaywin First Nation (http://keewaywin.firstnation.ca) is inviting their community, public and corporate partners to join them in the grand opening of their new community-owned cellular service.
Working with Keewaytinook Okimakanak (http://knet.ca) and Dryden Municipal Telephone System (DMTS - http://dmts.biz) and funding support from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Keewaywin and Round Lake First Nations built and tested the IP-based GSM network in collaboration with Lemko (the cell equipment provider), that will deliver a wide range of telecom services throughout their communities and across Northern Ontario.
“The Chief and Council of Keewaywin is committed to providing a choice for residents and visitors in our community. The new cellular service is bringing our community the best wireless network technology choice in 2009,” said Chief Joe Meekis. Keewaywin cellular prepaid customers work on the DMTS cell network through a partnership agreement between KO-KNET and DMTS. DMTS cell phone owners are able to roam on the Rogers next generation network as well as Rogers’ customers can roam on the DMTS / KNET network.
"Cellular service will help develop the potential for investment and job creation in the Far North. In addition, it will foster the development of knowledge-based expertise in communities such as Keewaywin First Nation. I am delighted that our government is supporting this forward-looking initiative," said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Chair of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.
Keewaytinook Okimakanak's KNET team and DMTS are in the process of installing and operating facilities and have several working sites supporting this network including Keewaywin and Round Lake First Nations, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake and Fort Frances. It is expected that there will be operational sites in all urban areas of Northwestern Ontario by the end of 2009.
“With the success demonstrated in Keewaywin and Round Lake First Nations, the chiefs of Keewaytinook Okimakanak moved quickly to invest in the development of mobile services in the other four KO First Nations including Deer Lake, Fort Severn, North Spirit Lake and Poplar Hill,” notes KO Executive Director Geordi Kakepetum. “Mobile IP applications will support the next generation of communication technologies and services to address the needs of First Nations across the north.”
Dryden Mayor Anne Krassilowsky adds, “Congratulations to Keewaywin First Nation on this achievement in pioneering these latest communication tools in remote communities in Canada's far north! The DMTS - Keewaytinook Okimakanak partnership and development is outstanding progress in opening more doors of choice to people, business and new opportunities in remote and rural First Nations across Northern Ontario.”
For more information, refer to http://mobile.knet.ca or contact the following.
Chief Joe Meekis
Keewaywin First Nation
T: 807-771-1210
E: joemeekis@knet.ca
Geordi Kakepetum, Executive Director
Keewaytinook Okimakanak, Balmertown
T: 807-737-1135 ext 1330
E: geordikakepetum@knet.ca
Raymond Mason, KO First Nation Cellular Liaison Coordinator
Keewaywin First Nation
T: 807-737-1135 ext 1252
E: raymondmason@knet.ca