Project Overview

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 on e-commerce and online business development.

Last Mile

The Connected Coast will provide 'backbone' fibre-optic infrastructure to 139 communities in British Columbia. Some of these communities have received last-mile funding for CityWest and its partners to build last-mile fibre-to-the-home services. Last-mile services refers to running the cable from a landing site directly to homes and businesses, and providing services directly to customers.

After construction has been completed, the fibre-optic infrastructure in these communities will be tied into the Connected Coast. When services are available, residents will get access to urban style connectivity with Gigabit Internet, TV, and phone services.

The communities that have been announced to receive CityWest services include:

The Project Partners

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 BC, 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.

Project Funding

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 BC 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 BC through the Connecting British Columbia program administered by Northern Development Initiative Trust.

Want to learn more?

Visit the Connected Coast website at www.connectedcoast.ca