Satellite problem cuts internet, phone for customers in northern Canada
Telesat Anik F2 satellite hasn't been working since 5 p.m. ET Sunday
Problems with a Telesat satellite are making communication difficult for people in northern Quebec and Nunavut.
The Telesat Anik F2 satellite hasn't been working since 5 p.m. ET Sunday.
In a statement, the company said the satellite, which helps provide cellphone and internet service to communities across the North, experienced a "technical anomaly" that has resulted in loss of services.
The outage would also impact ATMs and aircraft in some communities, said John Flaherty, vice-president of marketing for Telesat.
The satellite provides service to providers such as Northwestel, Shaw Direct, Xplornet, Bell Mobility and U.S. satellite internet provider Wildblue.
Northwestel said in a statement that service has been disrupted in all northern satellite-served communities.
Shaw Direct said in tweet the outage is creating a signal issue for its French stations and HD channels.
It said "the affected satellite performed emergency movements for reasons that are currently under investigation." Shaw estimates service will be restored at 11:30 a.m. ET.
A problem with the same satellite in 2011 grounded flights across the North and affected internet, cellphone and bank machine services.
Flaherty said this is "definitely not" the same problem as 2011.
"We still haven't ascertained what caused the issue. We have a working theory, but at this point it would be speculation. It's too early to say."
Flaherty said the company is on track to have service restored by noon.
Customers affected by the service interruption tweeted out their displeasure with the situation.
Telesat Anik F2 satellite hasn't been working since 5 p.m. ET Sunday
Problems with a Telesat satellite are making communication difficult for people in northern Quebec and Nunavut.
The Telesat Anik F2 satellite hasn't been working since 5 p.m. ET Sunday.
In a statement, the company said the satellite, which helps provide cellphone and internet service to communities across the North, experienced a "technical anomaly" that has resulted in loss of services.
The outage would also impact ATMs and aircraft in some communities, said John Flaherty, vice-president of marketing for Telesat.
The satellite provides service to providers such as Northwestel, Shaw Direct, Xplornet, Bell Mobility and U.S. satellite internet provider Wildblue.
Northwestel said in a statement that service has been disrupted in all northern satellite-served communities.
Shaw Direct said in tweet the outage is creating a signal issue for its French stations and HD channels.
It said "the affected satellite performed emergency movements for reasons that are currently under investigation." Shaw estimates service will be restored at 11:30 a.m. ET.
A problem with the same satellite in 2011 grounded flights across the North and affected internet, cellphone and bank machine services.
Flaherty said this is "definitely not" the same problem as 2011.
"We still haven't ascertained what caused the issue. We have a working theory, but at this point it would be speculation. It's too early to say."
Flaherty said the company is on track to have service restored by noon.
Customers affected by the service interruption tweeted out their displeasure with the situation.