Funding from the three partners, according to a press release from the Government of Canada, “will be used to build a 777-kilometre-long fibre network between Dawson City, Yukon, and Inuvik, Northwest Territories.” This new line is being built strategically to help close the 4,000-kilometre-long Canada North Fibre Loop, in an effort to reduce Internet service interruptions in the region.
A map released in 2015, when the Canada North Fibre Loop was announced, calls the line that connects Dawson City and Inuvik the “Dempster Highway Fibre Line.”
In May of last year it was reported that estimated costs to build the 777-kilometre-long line soared, with the most recent estimate sitting around $80 million.
Bold investment by ISED_CA Northwestel Yukongov INFC_eng:
“777-km-long fibre network between Dawson City, Yukon & Inuvik, NWT. This new fibre network will help close the 4,000-km-long Canada North Fibre Loop to ensure more robust Internet service in northern communities” Mark_Goldberg) June 21, 2018
The federal government by way of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada plans to invest “up to $30 million” through Connect to Innovate, a $500 million federal program that is building high-speed networks around the country. The federal government is also, through Infrastructure Canada, investing “up to $29 million” through the Small Communities Fund. The Government of Yukon has pledged to “invest up to $5 million” and Northwestel plans to invest “up to $15 million.”
Minister Pillai announced today that Yukon Government will be proceeding with a fibre optic line between Dawson City & Inuvik. This Northern Fibre Loop will significantly improve internet reliability for all Yukoners. a3i3vds8qK
— YTLiberalCaucus (@YTLiberalCaucus) June 20, 2018
There’s no telling how much funding the project will receive in actuality, given the language around the money pledged.
This comes after the federal government announced in May that, through Connect to Innovate, they would be investing $4.6 million to bring “new or improved” high-speed Internet to nine remote Indigenous communities in the Northwest Territories and Yukon.
