For the first time, four remote Inuit communities in Nunavut, including one official language minority community, will have access to fiber Internet.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has allocated $271.9 million through its Broadband Fund to support the Government of Nunavut in constructing a 1,300-kilometer fiber optic link. This initiative aims to provide high-speed Internet access to the communities of Iqaluit, Kinngait, Coral Harbour, and Kimmirut.
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Known as Canada’s largest, northernmost territory, and one of the most challenging areas of Canada to build networks, Nunavut is only accessible by air or sea, and there are no roads connecting its 25 communities.
“High-quality communications services are important to every aspect of our daily lives. This major project will connect one of the most remote regions of our country to fibre Internet. This will have a significant impact in four communities, connecting over 80 public institutions, including schools, healthcare centers, and community learning centers,” expressed Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, CRTC.
In December 2023, the CRTC announced funding aimed at introducing high-speed satellite Internet to every community in Nunavut, marking the first such endeavor.
These two projects collectively aim to improve the reliability, quality, and options available for Internet services for residents, laying the groundwork to connect the whole of Nunavut.
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