A major milestone in the $45.4-million Connected Coast project has been reached as 87 kilometres of fibre-optic cable stretching across the seabed of Hecate Strait has arrived.
On June 29, 2022, the cable-laying ship arrived in Tlell and began laying cable across Hecate Strait toward Bonilla Island, building backbone infrastructure for high-speed connectivity in Haida Gwaii.
The shore landing team is at Tom Island, coordinating with the cable ship as it arrives.
Visible in photo is the previously installed splitpipe as well as footings for equipment to be installed. #digitaldivide @StrathconaRD #citywest.bc #BaylinkNetworks pic.twitter.com/gzmaeKIMx5— ConnectedCoast (@coast_connected) June 24, 2022
The subsea fibre-optic cable will run more than 3,400 kilometres along the coast of BC, and it will be one of the longest coastal subsea networks in the world.
Announced in 2018, the project will bring high-speed internet to about 139 rural and remote communities, including 48 First Nations communities, from north of Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii, south to Vancouver and to Vancouver Island.
Happy Social Media day!
— ConnectedCoast (@coast_connected) June 30, 2022
With the Connected Coast project, rural, remote, and Indigenous areas of BC will also be able to enjoy endless Tik Toks...or run their business, shop online, learn, and more!
Follow for updates!
@StrathconaRD #citywest.bc #BaylinkNetworks pic.twitter.com/FxL8eSoRZA
Network commissioning and activation activities are expected to occur over the coming months and will begin once this section of cable laying is complete.
The Connected Coast project is expected to be complete by March 2023.
The plan to connect every household in BC to high-speed internet by 2027 will “level the playing field for British Columbians and ensure every community has better access to jobs, education, training and health care.”
