Canada, British Columbia Commit $63 Million to Fibre Network for 50 Thompson-Okanagan Communities
Updated
Updated · Business Examiner · Jun 12
Canada, British Columbia Commit $63 Million to Fibre Network for 50 Thompson-Okanagan Communities
1 articles · Updated · Business Examiner · Jun 12
Summary
$63 million in federal and provincial funding will build a new fibre-optic network across the Thompson-Okanagan, targeting nearly 4,000 households in 50 rural and Indigenous communities.
The project aims to close long-standing connectivity gaps in hard-to-reach areas where geography and distance have limited reliable internet access and network capacity.
Telus will design and construct the network, with completion expected in 2029; one component covers 22 communities and 1,946 households, and another reaches 28 communities and 2,013 households.
The investment sits within a broader Canada-B.C. broadband push launched in 2022, when the two governments announced an $830 million partnership to expand high-speed internet service.
Can opening new fibre networks to rivals sabotage the goal of connecting Canada’s most remote communities?
With Nunavut getting satellite internet, is burying expensive fibre optic cable still the best way to connect rural Canada?
As a new fibre network crosses Indigenous lands, who will truly own the data and control the digital future?
Bridging the Digital Divide: $63 Million Fibre-Optic Internet Expansion in Thompson-Okanagan
Overview
A $63 million joint investment by the provincial and federal governments will bring fibre-optic internet to the Thompson-Okanagan region, as part of a larger $830 million framework agreement established in March 2022. This partnership aims to enhance digital connectivity across British Columbia by ensuring every under-served household gains access to high-speed internet. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to expanding access, fostering better connections to essential services, and bridging the digital divide for rural and Indigenous communities. Ultimately, this investment supports economic growth, social inclusion, and equal opportunities for all residents in the province.