A project to connect 139 remote, rural and Indigenous communities along B.C.’s coast to high-speed Internet has laid its first 50 kilometres of subsea fibre-optic cable.
The project, called Connected Coast, has started in Northern B.C. and is estimated to cost $45.4 million, funded by the federal and provincial governments.
It will provide connection along the B.C. coast from Prince Rupert to Vancouver, Haida Gwaii, and around Vancouver Island.
The first 50 km was connected to shore landings in three communities Lax Kw’alaams, Metlakatla, and Dodge Cove. Another leg was brought ashore at Ridley Island.
READ MORE: Better internet connectivity coming to rural and remote BC coastal communities
When complete in 2023, this project will be 3,400 km long and be one of the longest coastal subsea networks in the world.
The next step in this project is to continue moving south to connect communities like Kitkatla and Oona River, then it will move westward to Haida Gwaii. Then the team will continue southward to connect eastern Vancouver Island.
The 139 communities that will be connected by this project include 48 Indigenous communities representing 44 First Nations along B.C.’s coast.
CityWest and Strathcona Regional District will jointly operate this project.
Laura Brougham
