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| CityWest is one of a number of partners planning to provide for a fibre optic backbone from the North Coast to Haida Gwaii and on to Vancouver Island (Map from Connected Coast project) |
The highly anticipated communication infrastructure project known as the Connected Coast is showing some signs of forward momentum, that as the Strathcona Regional District released some background on a number of surveys conducted last year towards the fibre optic plans for Vancouver Island.
The Community Broadband plan was introduced back in 2018, with Prince Rupert based CityWest one of the key participants in providing for fibre optic connectivity to both Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island.
CityWest at the time observed how the project would provide for additional access for Prince Rupert and area when it comes to reliable internet service, something which will help reduce the impact of service interruptions that are beyond the control of the Northwest company.
Earlier this week, the Vancouver Island regional district outlined how the consultation with residents
through 2019 has set the stage for the next element of the project, that of infrastructure deign.
The information gathered from last years Community Broadband Planning forums has created a unique snapshot of the community’s digital readiness and aspirations. This snapshot will now be provided to last-mile broadband infrastructure solution designers to develop a plan based on the community snapshot along with analysis of the community’s topography, climate, housing density, location of key institutions. In this way, the infrastructure is informed by the community aspirations amongst other important technical considerations.The consultation took place over a two week period in June of last year, with sessions held in seven Vancouver Island communities.
The engagement included presentations from guest speakers and videos showcasing possibilities for a digital future while gathering ideas from the community about their current state of use as well as plans for housing, economic, environmental and social developments took place at the Let’s Connect CBP forums.
You can review the individual findings from each community survey here.
The scope of the CityWest involvement is included as part of the Connected Coast overview from Strathcona Regional District, which will see the Prince Rupert communication company provide the fibre-optic backbone that will connect 23 communities to the Internet.
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| Interim CityWest CEO Tina Lussier |
The Connected Coast is still in the administrative and procurement stage of the process, and we hope to be able to share some new information on it in the coming months. -- Interim CityWest CEO Tina Lussier
You can find more background on the project from the Connected Coast Home page.
The original timeline for the project had project construction scheduled for a 2020 start, with points-of-connectivity to be completed by 2021.
Some of our past notes on CityWest's involvement with the project can be reviewed below:
February 2020 -- With No Fibre laid yet, Connected Coast fibre optic project still mired in process
May 31, 2019 -- Jennifer Rice offers chance for Premier Horgan to highlight infrastructure, internet and cel phone initiatives for Haida Gwaii and North Coast
August 1, 2018 -- CityWest partner, Stratchona Regional District to put Connected Coast Broadband plans to Alernate Approval process
May 4, 2018 -- CityWest and Strathcona Regional District launch online home for Sub Sea Communication project
March 1, 2018 -- MLA touts CityWest's contribution to Coastal communication links
February 14, 2018 -- Sub Sea Fibre project gets shout out from BC Speech from the Throne
January 18, 2018 -- CityWest outlines the blue print for subsea fibre plans
January 17, 2018 -- CityWest to receive share of Federal/Provincial funding for improved internet services
August 2017 -- CityWest awaits federal funding decision on subsea fibre plans
For more notes related to CityWest see our archive page here.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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