OTTAWA – The federal government and the B.C. government today said a 40 km fibre-optic run north of Whistler, British Columbia will be completed next month which will result in increased connectivity speeds in Mount Currie and the Lil’wat Nation – and also provide connectivity to the Ts’zil Learning Centre.
It’s part of a $5.6 million extension called the Whistler-Cache Creek Transport Fibre Build project, says the federal government press release.
Future construction will connect communities such as Birken, Seton Lake, Tsal’alh Nation, T’it’q’et, Cayoose Creek Band, Xaxli’p, Ts’kw’ayalaxw First Nation, N’Quatqua First Nation and Bonaparte First Nation along the total 125-km fibre-optic line route running to Cache Creek. The project was originally announced in March 2018 and will be completed in 2021, according to the province.
Over $2 million is coming from the feds’ Connect to Innovate program, over $1.9 million from the province, and over $1.6 million from the service provider, Shaw Communications.
Local internet service providers can access the fibre-optic line to extend high-speed internet services to communities along the route, explained the release from the province. Local governments, businesses and Indigenous communities can also use the fibre for broadband services. Pemberton is already getting better internet thanks to the fibre build.
“Canadians have never been more reliant on technology than they are today and need access to high-quality, affordable broadband services to power their most important activities,” said Paul McAleese, president, Shaw Communications, in the B.C. release. “The partnerships established by the Connecting British Columbia and Connect to Innovate programs enable critical network investments that provide rural and Indigenous communities with choice and competition in accessing high-speed internet and other broadband services.”
