VANCOUVER — The British Columbia government is spending up to $24 million for the construction of a new subsea fibre-optic cable to Haida Gwaii in a bid to improve the islands’ internet access.
The province says the investment is being made through the Northern Development Initiative Trust, and construction is set to begin in the spring.
It says the project would significantly strengthen internet access on Haida Gwaii through a “dedicated, high-capacity connection” between the islands and the mainland’s north coast while also boosting the reliability of services.
Citizens’ Services Minister Diana Gibson says the increased internet capacity could strengthen essential online services, including remote health-care, public safety, education and tourism.
Haida Gwaii, roughly 50 kilometres off B.C.’s north coast, often experiences high winds that the province says create challenging conditions for infrastructure.
Management of the islands’ connectivity falls on telecom provider GwaiiTell, which is jointly owned by the Haida Nation and local governments.
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