CAMPBELL RIVER—High-speed fibre optic infrastructure is coming to dozens of communities along B.C.’s coast as part of the Connected Coast project.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the importance of quality, high-speed internet to learn, do business, stay healthy, access services and keep in touch with loved ones,” said Lisa Beare, minister of citizens’ services, in a statement. “Through Connected Coast, people and businesses in remote and underserved communities along B.C.’s coast can stay connected and participate in economic opportunities – faster. We thank our partners, including the federal government, CityWest, Strathcona Regional District, Indigenous communities and local governments for helping to connect British Columbians to the opportunities they deserve.”
The $45.4-million project will bring high-speed internet transport connection to approximately 139 rural and remote coastal communities, including 48 Indigenous communities, by using a specialized cable-laying ship. The ship will lay subsea fibre optic cable along the ocean floor to landing sites throughout coastal B.C., from Haida Gwaii to southern Vancouver Island.
This month the ship Canpac Valour arrived in Campbell River to be outfitted and will begin laying cable up the coast toward Haida Gwaii. The project is expected to be completed by March 2023.
“The start of construction is an exciting milestone for the Connected Coast Project,” said Brad Unger, chair of the Strathcona Regional District Board. “Momentum is building. Rural and remote coastal communities will soon have the same digital opportunities as urban centres. We are steps closer to benefiting from improved connectivity.”
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