Over $38 million in government and partner money will be used to expand high-speed internet service to more rural and First Nations communities in BC.
CityWest will get nearly $6 million to construct a new fibre-optic network in the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako.
The system will serve Tintagel, Endako, Broman Lake, Wiley, Perow, Lake Babine, Topley Landing, Tchesinkut Lake, Weneez, Sinkut River, Nak’azdli, Nadleh Whuten, Stellat’en First Nation and Wet’suwet’en Village.
“As a company that was built in the North, we know first-hand the challenges that our customers face, which is why we invest heavily in many areas of the North to bring Internet to under-served areas,” said Chris Marett, CEO of CityWest in a news release.
Gwaii Communications will get over $4.2 million to connect 341 households on Haida Gwaii with a fibre-optic connection. The work will include a subsea cable to provide Sandspit with a comparable level of service to the rest of Haida Gwaii.
Shaw Communications will receive over $20 million for two major projects, including a fibre-optic route from Prince George to Dawson Creek.
CityWest says work on the Bulkley-Nechako project is slated to start later this year and will take about three years to complete with phased construction.