Connected Coast Project | 2024 Year in Review

The Connected Coast project made significant progress in 2024, bringing us closer to completing this transformative initiative by early next year. We’re thrilled to celebrate this year’s progress and share updates on the next steps to meet the project’s completion goal by March 31, 2025.

The team has achieved a significant milestone by securing 99% of the necessary permits, including recent permits for the Southern Gulf Islands. This accomplishment clears the way for the remaining cable installation.

Permitting a project of this magnitude is a complex process, and reaching this stage reflects extensive collaboration with all levels of government in a variety of departments, First Nations, and property owners to secure approvals for all 137 landing sites.

With cables installed at many sites, the focus now shifts to network commissioning over the coming months. Once completed, these connections will go online, delivering enhanced backbone connectivity to communities across the region.

2024 Highlights

• 590 km of marine cable was laid in 2024 increasing the total cable deployed to 85%
• 10 of 12 Crown Land tenures are fully issued, with the last 2 in the final execution stage
• 92% of the landing vaults are fully installed
• 99% of the project is fully permitted

View the progress visually on the build status map below

INTERACTIVE BUILD STATUS MAP

Recent Milestones:

• Entire Vancouver Island West Coast cable was laid and landing sites constructed
• Cable between Port Hardy and the North is now in service
• 99% of the project is fully permitted

Follow along and see the current build status on specific locations, search the status of specific landing sites and zoom in for more details.  The coming months will be busy with many landing connections switching on, so check in regularly as the map tracks the installation progress.

Follow the construction journey at connectedcoast.ca/map

NEWS

August 2024 – High-speed internet service available on Digby Island

NEWS RELEASE – Ministry of Citizens’ Services

PRINCE RUPERT – People on Digby Island now have reliable high-speed internet access, unlocking better, faster access to digital services and opportunities.

“High-speed internet service is a game-changer for people living and working along the north coast,” said George Chow, Minister of Citizens’ Services. “The completion of this project allows Digby Island residents the same level of digital services as urban centres. Travellers and businesses at Prince Rupert airport will also benefit greatly in the future. This project is a milestone in our commitment to connect every rural, remote and Indigenous community in B.C. by 2027.”

Approximately 48 households in Dodge Cove and Crippen on Digby Island have access to new connectivity infrastructure, enabling access to high-speed broadband internet services built and operated by CityWest. The project leverages transport capacity provided by the Connected Coast network, now available at the location.

August 2024 – High-speed internet access available in Hartley Bay

NEWS RELEASE – Ministry of Citizens’ Services

HARTLEY BAY- People in the village of Hartley Bay now have access to high-speed internet, unlocking reliable, faster access to digital services and economic opportunities.

With this new last-mile infrastructure, people in Hartley Bay can now benefit from high-speed internet and this project will further support the Gitga’at Nation’s thriving eco-tourism economy, environmental monitoring and local cultural preservation programs that are central to the Nation’s daily life,” said George Chow, B.C. Minister of Citizens’ Services. “The completion of this project is a milestone in our commitment to connect every rural, remote and Indigenous community in B.C. by 2027.”

With the installation of new last-mile infrastructure, 85 households in Hartley Bay now have access to high-speed internet services. Built and operated by service provider CityWest, the project leverages transport capacity provided by the Connected Coast network.

July 2024 Update: Strengthening Connectivity for Coastal BC

The Connected Coast project is moving full steam ahead with renewed commitments and a revised deadline of March 2025. This adjustment ensures that high-speed internet reaches underserved and remote communities along BC’s coast.

Key updates include optimized routing and a focused approach on communities still in need of reliable internet.

Explore detailed maps of the project’s current and planned infrastructure HERE >

July 2024 – High-speed internet is now a reality in Lach Klan, also known as Kitkatla!

Over 140 households on Dolphin Island of the Gitxaala Nation now have access to reliable high-speed broadband, thanks to the Connected Coast project.

This milestone brings unparalleled opportunities for education, healthcare, and economic growth right to the heart of remote, rural, and Indigenous communities.

MARINER SIGNAGE

REMINDER for All Mariners

Stay informed about our new fibre cable network on BC’s seafloor and help us spread the word! Signage highlighting this cutting-edge project is available both online and at key dock locations. Let’s make sure everyone knows about this transformative network.

HELP US SHARE THE MESSAGE
✅ Share our social media posts with fellow mariners, colleagues, and friends.
✅ Visit connectedcoast.ca/operations to download signage. Print it out or email it to others to keep the conversation going.

STAY INFORMED
✅ Check updates on Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) charts to ensure you have the latest information about our network.
✅ Download live route files at connectedcoast.ca/operations for real-time connectivity updates.

Let’s work together to spread the word about the game-changing Connected Coast project. By connecting communities, we’re empowering innovation and charting a brighter future! 🌐⚓

CABLE LOCATION RECENT UPDATES – KMZ (GOOGLE EARTH) & GPX FILES 

Recent updates to our as-built cable location files in KMZ (Google Earth file format) & GPX (navigation file) are available online.  Please fill out the form on our website to receive a copy and future mapping updates.

ISP’s and Reseller Process

The Connected Coast Network (CCN) is built, owned, maintained & operated under a partnership (CCN Partnership) between City West Management Corp. (CW) and Strathcona Regional District. CW, as the managing partner, primarily is responsible for all aspects of design, commissioning, maintenance and support of network infrastructure, services and third-party agreements.

In accordance with government policy, funding agreements with Canada (i.e., ISED and ISC) and the Province (i.e., NDIT), and with the objective to maximize benefits for communities proximate to the CCN, the CCN Partnership is committed to open access and collaboration with other internet service providers (ISPs) & resellers. The CCN Partnership recognizes its responsibility to operate the CCN in a manner that protects stakeholder interests by providing reliable & affordable network services to coastal and northern BC communities, delivered by practicing sound & sustainable business practices.

See the below links for downloads:

• ISP/Reseller Process for Network Interconnection & Services
• ISP/Reseller Application Form (fillable pdf)

Please contact the Connected Coast team at info@connectedcoast.ca for any questions or assistance with your submission.

Photo & Video Gallery

See the construction action as it takes place. 
View photos that capture landing sites being built, sub-sea fibre being laid and watch videos and interviews of the construction crew and First Nations partners on the project website photo gallery.

Project Member Spotlight

Scott Simpson – CityWest Senior Marketing Manager

Scott Simpson has worked at CityWest for over 8 years in various marketing roles, currently serving as the Senior Marketing Manager. He has been involved with the Connected Coast project since 2022 working on communications, partner engagement, last-mile projects, and wholesale services. Born and raised in Terrace, BC, Scott graduated from the University of Northern British Columbia with a Bachelor of Commerce before beginning his career at CityWest.

He is excited about what the project means for the communities it directly connects, and the effect it will have on his region. “This project doesn’t just benefit people that live along the project’s footprint. Providing an alternate fibre link to Vancouver brings redundancy to everyone that lives along Highway 16 in Northern BC, like me.” Communities along Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Prince George have historically only had one path for online traffic.  “Redundancy means fewer outages and better connectivity for all of our communities.”

Scott looks forward to seeing the project help level the connectivity playing field in British Columbia as Internet becomes essential for remote work, telehealth, and online learning. “We’ve all noticed a trend of people moving to remote work, and deciding where they live based on lifestyle needs. Bringing this level of improved connectivity gives British Columbians more flexibility on where they call home, which is essential for remote and rural communities.”