SaskTel Urged To Stay Involved In NRTS

SaskTel Urged To Stay Involved In NRTS

Friday, March 31, 2006 at 14:14

 

 

A long-time advocate of the northern two-way radio service doesn’t like the options that are being discussed regarding its future.

 

La Ronge resident Angela Keller believes the government should remain involved in its management.

 

SaskTel, which has been running the service for several years, applied to the CRTC last year to have the system withdrawn this past winter.

 

It argued that because equipment at the switching station in La Ronge is so outdated, replacement parts would be impossible to find in the event of a system failure.

 

SaskTel eventually extended the life of the service until July, at which point it hopes private stakeholders can take over responsibility for it.

 

But Keller feels if the government is removed from the picture, those left in charge won’t be able to keep it in operation.

 

Keller says the status quo isn’t a good option, either.

 

She says the best scenario would see government and community stakeholders run the two-way radio service together.

 

Keller also doesn’t think SaskTel is doing enough to keep the public informed about negotiations with private stakeholders.