On top of the security incentive, NunatuKavut President Chris Montague believes cell phone service is a modern convenience that is long overdue in many areas.
"It's much needed not only for advancement of our business opportunities, but mostly it's a service for the people along the coast of Labrador," Mr. Montague said. "We really believe that this is a matter not only of convenience, but safety as well.
"It's really ironic that the government is spending over $6-billion they have earmarked for a hydro project, but yet something as basic in today's world as a cell phone service is not addressed."
Formerly known as the Metis Development Corporation, the NDC was incorporated by the NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) to pursue economic and business opportunities for the NunatuKavut Community Council membership.
According to Kevin Aylward, CEO of the MDC, Liberal MHA Yvonne Jones had started a similar initiative two years ago.
This past summer, Jones approached Montague to collaborate and organize a committee of south coast communities to look into a business plan.
With a business plan developed, the MDC and its committee approached Lynx Mobility, a national telecommunications operator specializing in providing rural communities with cell services, to explore how their expertise and technology might be brought to the area.
Mr. Aylward said the group is now in discussion with both provincial and federal government agencies as well as private industry to explore funding strategies and possible business partnerships.
The MDC's board of directors in addition to the NCC would be responsible for making a final decision on the proposal.
On Feb. 7, the provincial government announced that 15 new satellite phones are available to users of the TLH, bringing the total number of phones in the emergency satellite phone program to 80.
The move comes at a cost of $19,875.
"By extending the satellite phone program, we are offering peace of mind and making the drive a little safer for motorists as they travel the Trans Labrador Highway," Transportation and Works Minister Tom Hedderson said in a news release. "There are more people using the highway and extending the program ensures that more phones will be available for travelers who wish to use the service."
The additions to the program will provide a permanent extension of the service into southern Labrador and are available free of charge to motorists traveling remote sections of the highway.
When borrowing a phone, residents of the province simply need to provide their driver license number while non-residents must provide a valid credit card number for tracking and security purposes.
Phone users can pick up or drop off the phones at the Wabush Hotel in Wabush, the Midway Travel Inn in Churchill Falls, Hotel North Two or Royal Inn and Suites in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the Cartwright Hotel in Cartwright, the Alexis Hotel in Port Hope Simpson, the town hall in Charlottetown, the Riverlodge Hotel in Mary's Harbour or the Northern Light Inn in L'Anse au Clair.
Additionally, for those travelers with a Wi-Fi enabled device who find themselves in an emergency situation, open internet connections are currently available outside all transportation and works depot buildings along the TLH.
reporter@thelabradorian.ca
.jpg)
.jpg)
