Taku River Tlingit First Nation and Atlin community members are one step closer to high-speed internet access with the construction of new connectivity infrastructure.

“This project is years in the making and is the result of community, government and business coming together with creative connectivity solutions,” said Nathan Cullen, MLA for Stikine. “Thanks to this work, and the Taku River Tlingit First Nation’s leadership, these remote communities will soon go from very low internet speeds to accessing services similar to those in urban centres.”

The project will enable access to high-speed broadband internet services in households and connect to a new cellular tower on Taku River Tlingit First Nation land that will provide cellular service for the surrounding communities. 

“We’re proud to be leading the way and helping to enable connectivity for our Nation and the community of Atlin,” said Charmaine Thom, spokesperson, Taku River Tlingit First Nation. “We are grateful for the government investments, as well as the contributions from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and Northwestel that helped bring this project to fruition. Prioritizing connectivity for Atlin means people in our communities will be able to access online opportunities like education and employment, as well as provide a stepping stone to additional safety for our community.”

The Government of British Columbia has invested $7.9 million toward the $9.8 million total cost of the project. Northwestel has contributed $1.9 million. The CRTC contributed $4.7 million toward installing the final stretch of the network that will connect high-speed internet to homes and businesses in the community.

“We are committed to ensuring every household in B.C. has access to high-speed internet by 2027,” said George Chow, Minister of Citizens’ Services. “Infrastructure projects like this one enable high-speed broadband capacity that helps people in remote communities like Taku River Tlingit First Nation and Atlin fully participate and thrive in the digital economy.”

Northwestel Inc. is constructing approximately 113 kilometres of fibre cable linking its fibre-transport network in Tagish to the community of Atlin and the Taku River Tlingit First Nation.

Through StrongerBC: Good Lives in Strong Communities, the Province’s vision is to help build a brighter future for rural communities and the people who call them home. Increasing connectivity also supports Clean and Competitive: A Blueprint for B.C.’s Industrial Future.

Quotes:

Leila Wright, executive director, CRTC Telecommunications –

“We know how important high-quality internet and cellphone services are to every aspect of peoples’ daily lives. The CRTC is proud to contribute to this project through our Broadband Fund. We are working to connect underserved rural, remote and Indigenous communities across Canada, including Atlin.”

Curtis Shaw, president, Northwestel –

“We’re honoured the Taku River Tlingit First Nation chose Northwestel as their connectivity partner in Atlin. Fast, unlimited fibre-powered internet will not only support Atlin’s current needs for distance education, telehealth and more, but will also set the community up to grow well into the future.” 

Quick Facts:

• In 2017, approximately 57% of homes in rural areas of B.C. had access to high-speed internet services.
• As of January 2024, the number of homes in rural areas connected to high-speed internet services was up to 77%.
• Since 2017, the B.C. government has invested $584 million into expanding high-speed internet and cellular services throughout the province.

Learn More:

To learn more about Connectivity in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/connectivity-in-bc  

To learn more about Connecting Communities BC, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/connectivity-in-bc/20530/20601

To learn more about StrongerBC: Good lives in Strong Communities, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Good-Lives-Strong-Communities-2023.pdf

To learn more about StrongerBC: BC's Economic Plan, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/economic-plan