Important Terms

In the MVFL product catalogue for customers, the following terms are defined:

  1. “Break-out” means the capability to transfer data traffic from intermediate MVFL locations into a customer’s regional or local transport links.  The break-out service does not include any equipment that may be required to access the local community infrastructure.  Break-out rates must match the regional or local transport link selected.  There is no break-out required for the originating or terminus location of a regional or local transport link (e.g. a regional link between Inuvik and High Level does not require break-out in Inuvik and High Level because this capability is included). Break-out rates are monthly and not available with contractual discounts.
  2. “Benchmark Pricing” is determined by the Authority in respect to current Service Plans of the Benchmark Service Providers of comparable download speed, upload speed, monthly usage allowance and optional supplemental monthly usage allowance to that of the Designated End User Plan. The Benchmark prices are determined by the Authority, acting reasonably and in good faith, through averaging and interpolation of the Benchmark Service Provider rates in respect of such comparable plans. Promotional benchmark rates have been excluded from the study. Benchmark Service Provider rates will be reviewed annually by the Authority.
  3. “Benchmark Service Plans” consists of, as determined by the Authority, acting reasonably and in good faith, the telecommunications and related services plans offered by the Benchmark Service Providers in the Benchmark Service Area to Persons who would otherwise be classified within the definition of Designated Class of End Users had they been situate in Service Area, as such telecommunications and related services plans are updated from time to time, including for greater certainty, such service modifications, enhancements, supplements and additions as may be offered from time to time by the Benchmark Service Providers to Persons in the Benchmark Service Area which are comparable to those classified within the definition of Designated Class of End Users. For greater certainty, except in respect of and during the period of any 2 Year Contracts, the Benchmark Service Plans shall be determined by the Authority on the Commencement Date and thereafter on the first Business Day following January 1 of each year of the contract term of the SLA.
  4. “Benchmark Service Area” would consist of:
    • in the case of Bell, Cogeco and Rogers, the region known as the “Greater Toronto Area” consisting of, from time to time, the City of Toronto, the Regional Municipality of Durham, the Regional Municipality of Halton and the Regional Municipality of York, or any successor municipalities thereof; and
    • in the case of Shaw and Telus, the City of Edmonton, or any successor municipality thereof.
    • in the case of SaskTel, the City of Regina, or any successor municipality thereof.
  5. “Benchmark Service Providers” means, collectively:
    • BCE Inc. and/or Bell Canada and/or their respective affiliates and successors providing the Benchmark Service Plans in the Benchmark Service Area (“collectively, “Bell”); and
    • Cogeco Inc. and/or its affiliates and successors providing the Benchmark Service Plans in the Benchmark Service Area (collectively, “Cogeco”).
    • Rogers Communications Inc. and/or Rogers Communications Partnership and/or their respective affiliates and successors providing the Benchmark Service Plans in the Benchmark Service Area (collectively “Rogers”);
    • SaskTel and/or its affiliates and successors providing the Benchmark Service Plans in the Benchmark Service Area (collectively, “SaskTel”).
    • Rogers Communications Inc. and/or Rogers Communications Partnership and/or their respective affiliates and successors providing the Benchmark Service Plans in the Benchmark Service Area (collectively “Rogers”);
  6. “Designated Class of End Users” means any one or more of the following:
    • all individuals and families residing in a non-business private residence within the Service Area;
    • all small business owners, being any Person operating for profit within the Service Area with assets held within the Service Area;
    • all charitable or religious organizations (registered as a charitable organization under the Income Tax Act (Canada)) operating within the Service Area; and,
    • any Local Governmental Authority (including any aboriginal Local Governmental Authorities, band councils and tribal councils), including, to the extent they are subject to the jurisdiction of such Local Governmental Authority, schools, colleges, universities, police services, fire services, paramedic or ambulance services, clinics and hospitals.
  7. “ISSF Customer(s)” or “ISSF Customer(s)” means an MVFL Customer that operates satellites as part of the ISSF; or uses the ISSF to download satellite data, to process data received at the ISSF, or uses ISSF to provide a satellite control uplink;
  8. “MVFL Customer(s)” means a customer of the MVFL that has entered into a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the MVFL Authority;
  9. “MVFL Locations” means the MVFL PoPs located in Fort Simpson, Wrigley, Tulita, Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope, Inuvik, High Level, and the ISSF.  McGill Lake is also treated as an MVFL location and regional or local links are eligible for termination or break-out at McGill Lake;
  10. “MVFL” means the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link Project;
  11. “MVFL Authority” means a Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) crown corporation, agency, or other GNWT entity that has signature authority for the SLA.
  12. “NLGP” means the Northern Lights General Partnership.  The Northern Lights General Partnership (“NLGP”) has been appointed as the agent for MVFL.
  13. “PoP” or “Point of Presence” means an access point to the MVFL system.
Caribou in the Northwest Territories