Problems with the Anik F2 satellite have knocked out long-distance phone service to Old Crow and other isolated communities across the North.

Northwestel Inc. spokesperson Emily Younker said this morning 39 communities in the three territories and northern B.C. are affected, though Old Crow is the only community in the Yukon.

"But it is affecting Telegraph Creek (B.C.), Bob Quinn Lake and Fort Ware,” she said.

Younker said data services are hardwired to all Yukon communities, except for Old Crow.

Long distance phone service to the remote community of 233 is provided by Anik F2 because of its isolation, she said, adding residents of the community are still able to make local calls.

A variety of services have been interrupted across the North, depending on what services are being provided by the satellite, whether it be Internet services, Interac or what have you, she said.

Bell satellite TV spokesman Jason Laszlo said this morning the TV service was not affected by the loss of Anik F2.

Shaw TV could not be reached for comment.

Telesat spokesman John Flaherty said shortly after noon that Anik F2 experienced an unknown problem at 6:36 a.m., but is expected to be back in service no later than 9 p.m. Yukon time.

Satellites, he said, are designed to shut themselves down when a problem arises and turn away from Earth to face the Sun, ensuring adequate sunlight for their solar panels to keep the batteries charged.

"We have established communications with the spacecraft and are in the process of restoring it,” Flaherty said. "Once that happens, we will talk with the satellite manufacture (Boeing) to determine the root problem.”

"In this particular case, all the services provided by Anik F2 were impacted, but not all services are provided by Anik F2,” he said. "We have a fleet of 12 satellites, and Anik F2 is the only one impacted.”

Telesat was formed in 1969 through an act of Parliament to primarily to provide satellite service to the North. Anik A1 was launched in 1972 and retired in 1982.

Anik F2 was launched in 2004.