Connected Coast – Last Mile Internet Connectivity Project

 

Project Overview

The Canadian government now considers high-speed internet a basic service. The Connected Coast project, a joint venture between the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) and CityWest, will bring high-speed fibre-optic Internet accessibility to 139 rural, remote and First Nation coastal communities to  along the BC coast from north of Prince Rupert, to Haida Gwaii, south to Vancouver, and around Vancouver Island. The Connected Coast 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 B.C. through the Connecting British Columbia program administered by Northern Development Initiative Trust. The Strathcona Connected Coast Network Corporation has been created as a wholly owned subsidiary to oversee the construction and maintenance of the SRD portion of the project.

 

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.

 

The qRD is supplying this page to support the Connected Coast project, however is not the project manager. All engagement, materials, and project updates shall come from the Connected Coast project team known as CityWest.

 

 

 

 

The CityWest team is connecting with Lund and surrounding area residents about the Connected Coast project and how they are currently working on fibre optic installation in the area.

 

 

In 2021, the qRD engaged Driftwood Communications Ltd. to develop a connectivity plan that would bridge the connectivity gap and pave the last mile within the Regional District. Participation in the digital world is critical for the viability and economic sustainability of all communities. For residents of rural and remote locations especially, high-speed Internet gives them the ability to connect with medical advice, educational opportunities, employment, tourism, emergency preparedness and a universe of goods and services.

 

The Driftwood report identified several potential roles for the qRD in improving regional internet service, but becoming its own ISP was not recommended due to a lack of clear advantages over existing providers and the burden of startup costs. A more viable option was forming partnerships, such as supporting projects under Section 275 of the Local Government Act, including the Connected Coast initiative, which is expanding infrastructure in underserved areas. However, the strongest opportunity was determined to be a facilitator rather than a service provider. The qRD is leveraging its position to support community connectivity by promoting initiatives, assisting with partnerships, and providing letters of support for grant applications related to both internet and cellular service expansion.

 

 

 

 

Province of B.C.

Visit www.connectedcoast.ca

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