What is "qiniq"

QINIQ is a Canadian company, which uses satellite and wireless communications technology to provide broadband Internet service to remote communities in the Canadian territory of Nunavut.

The QINIQ network serves 25 communities in Nunavut with wireless broadband internet services, delivered via satellite.

Inuit comprise 85% of the population of Nunavut and are avid users of broadband services. Broadband is used to improve their educational, economic, social and cultural opportunities.

In the fall of 2002, Industry Canada announced the Broadband for Rural and Northern Development (BRAND) program. This became the catalyst for the creation of Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation 1 (NBDC), a not for profit group tasked with identifying the territory's broadband needs. NBDC issued a comprehensive Request For Proposal (RFP) to vendors and put the financing together. SSI Micro won the RFP in the spring of 2004 and building of the QINIQ network began. NBDC worked with the Government of Canada, SSI Micro and many other organizations to put the deal together that saw the birth of QINIQ in 2005.

SSI Micro designed & deployed the network while also providing significant funding to the project.