Internet upgrade High-speed Internet connection planed for the Coast of B.C.

INTERNET UPGRADE

Cable reels being loaded on the Gitga’at Transporter for the cable deploying ship in Hartley Bay. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CONNECTED COAST.

High-speed internet accessibility planned for Coastal B.C.

The Connected Coast project plans to place subsea fibre-optic cable, stretching from Prince Rupert south to Vancouver, then around Vancouver Island. In total, it is estimated that the project has the potential to benefit 175,000 British Columbians, living in 90,000 households.

The impact of the project and the opportunities it will provide to these communities will be enormous. Access to reliable high-speed internet means that residents will be able to access online learning and health services, emergency notifications, news, and participate in online discussions and sharing. It will also open new economic development opportunities for residents who will be able to work remotely and participate in e-commerce and online business development.

The project is managed and implemented by CityWest and the Strathcona Regional District (SRD), who together form the Connected Coast Partnership. The two organizations initially submitted individual projects but realized improved services for both areas could be attained by connecting the two networks. By providing links from Northern B.C. and around Vancouver Island to the internet exchange in Vancouver, the infrastructure will increase service reliability for residents on the mainland, on the island and in rural and remote coastal communities by providing an alternate route for service, known as a redundancy. Another benefit is reduced project cost as the two partners are able to pool resources and share costs.

The Connected Coast Partnership is actively working to engage and consult with local communities, regional districts, First Nations, and local internet service providers (ISPs) to ensure the project meets the needs of communities now and in the future. The Connected Coast Partnership will also work with local ISPs, communities and anchor institutions that are interested in upgrading their local networks to allow for last-mile connections to the infrastructure.

Overall, the project will cost an estimated $45.4 million to provide 159 landing sites. The SRD will receive $32.5 million and CityWest will receive $12.9 million to construct the required high-speed infrastructure along the B.C. coast from north of Prince Rupert, to Haida Gwaii, south to Vancouver, and around Vancouver Island. Funding for the project is provided by the Government of Canada’s Connect to Innovate (CTI) program, Indigenous Services Canada, and the Province of B.C. through the Connecting British Columbia program administered by Northern Development Initiative Trust.

For more information, visit www.connectedcoast.ca. p