Telus to Build $63 Million Fibre Network for 4,000 B.C. Households by 2029
Updated
Updated · techcouver.com · Jun 15
Telus to Build $63 Million Fibre Network for 4,000 B.C. Households by 2029
2 articles · Updated · techcouver.com · Jun 15
Summary
$63 million in provincial and federal funding will back a new Telus fibre-optic network for 4,000 households in British Columbia's Thompson-Okanagan region, with completion targeted for 2029.
Telus will design and build the network under Connecting Communities BC and the federal Universal Broadband Fund, extending service to 50 communities where distance and terrain have limited reliable internet access.
The project is part of a broader Canada-B.C. connectivity push: an earlier $236 million round covered eight projects reaching 13,000 households under a 2022 agreement.
Canada says 96% of households already have access to high-speed internet—nearly 97% in B.C.—as Ottawa's $3.2 billion broadband fund aims for full national coverage by 2030.
With a $63M price tag and a 2029 deadline, is fibre-optic cable the best way to bridge the rural digital divide?
Once 4,000 rural homes are online by 2029, what is the next barrier to achieving true digital equality?
$63 Million Fibre Investment to Bridge the Digital Divide in Rural British Columbia
Overview
A $63 million joint investment by Telus, the federal, and provincial governments will expand high-speed fibre internet to underserved rural communities across British Columbia. This project is part of a larger $830 million framework aiming to connect every underserved household in the province. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to ensuring all British Columbians can participate in the digital economy, regardless of location. By providing essential connectivity, the project unlocks new opportunities for residents and businesses, giving them better access to education, health care, and supporting economic growth and prosperity throughout B.C.