SSI Micro's Qiniq internet service in Nunavut getting $35M upgrade

SSI Micro will receive $35 million from the federal government to double the download speed and make other upgrades to its Qiniq satellite internet service in Nunavut.

Download speeds will increase to three megabits per second while upload speeds will go up to 512 kilobits per second, says Dean Proctor, SSI's chief development officer.

"The [monthly download cap] will also be [increased] in the basic package to 20 gigabytes per month for $80 a month, the same price people are paying today," said Proctor.

Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq made the announcement in Arviat on Tuesday. The money is coming from Industry Canada, which estimates the upgrades will affect 8,600 SSI customers in the territory.

According to Industry Canada, the "enhanced service will be available starting in 2016."