For immediate release
November 28, 2005
MEDIA RELEASE
REMOTE JAMES BAY COMMUNITIES TO BENEFIT FROM
FIVE NATIONS FIBRE OPTIC UPGRADE
Toronto – November 28, 2005 - Five Nations Energy Inc., (FNEI) a First Nation owned
electricity transmission company is investing $4.0 million to build a fibre optic communication network for the purpose of increasing the overall reliability of its transmission system. The excess capacity of this new fibre optic network may be used by the communities along the western James Bay coast to bring improved telephone and high speed internet services to their residents and resident businesses. Presently FNEI and the communities are relying on a microwave transmission service where phone services are limited, and access to the internet is through dial-up. This system is outdated and does not meet the needs of Attawapiskat, Kashechewan and Fort Albany.
To provide power to its Victor Project, De Beers Canada Inc. is twinning the existing transmission line from Moosonee to Kashechewan, and has provided an opportunity for FNEI to extend fibre optic communication capacity to the communities at a significant cost saving. This has created a one-time opportunity for the Five Nations - De Beers
partnership to save approximately $2 million on the installation of fibre optic telecommunications. The fibre optic cable will be installed in the overhead ground wire (OPGW) for this portion of the transmission line beginning in January 2006. Once the new transmission line is commissioned from Moosonee to Kashechewan, ownership will then be transferred from De Beers Canada Inc. to Five Nations Energy Inc. The commissioning and transfer of the new line is scheduled for September 2007. As a second phase of the project, FNEI will install all-dielectric self supporting (ADSS) fibre optic cable from Kashechewan to Attawapiskat starting in January 2007 to have this section ready for September 2007.
"I am very excited about the potential benefits that fibre optic telecommunications will bring to our communities, especially in the areas of tele health and distance education", said Chief Mike Metatawabin, President of Five Nations Energy Inc. "We see the signing of this agreement as the start of many "win-win" opportunities, where we can work with the communities in James Bay and Five Nations Energy Inc. to see sustainable benefits and opportunities for the communities of Northern Ontario", said Jeremy Wyeth, Vice President of the Victor Project.
This initiative is just a part of Five Nation's plan to improve its transmission service to its owner communities. The project satisfies the recommendation from the Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator that electrical substations have "real time" monitoring. FNEI will use part of the 24 installed strands of fibre optic cable for its own use. The cost of overbuilding the fibre optics will be recovered by leasing the extra strands to telephone and internet service providers in the communities.
Five Nations is also working in partnership with Mushkegowuk Council who continues its efforts to improve local communication services in the communities. With this exciting new venture being brought into the communities, the opportunities for economic development, tele-health services, and educational improvements are just a few of the
many possibilities which will benefit the people of our communities.
- Media release issued by Five Nations Energy Inc -
| For further information contact: |
Linda Dorrington
Manager Public and Corporate Affairs
De Beers Canada Inc
Office: 416-645-1710 ext 412
Cell: 416-818-2254
Email: linda.dorrington@ca.debeersgroup.com |
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