New information has surfaced regarding a fiber optic route set to be established along a highway in northern B.C., as reported by CBC News. The recent occurrence of three telecommunication outages in the area has sparked conversations about the resilience of the network.
CityWest, a telecom provider, has disclosed its plans to construct a pathway named the Northern Resiliency Project along Highway 37. This project aims to create a new and physically separate telecommunications route through the northern region, offering an alternative path for network traffic in case of an outage.
Highway 37, also known as the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, spans over 870 kilometers from the Kitwanga Junction on Highway 16 to the Yukon border. The new fiber optic route will commence in Dease Lake, B.C., and conclude in Watson Lake, Yukon.
CityWest serves as the primary provider of internet, television, and home phone services in a vast area encompassing northwest and northern B.C., including regions like Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii, and Vanderhoof.
While fiber optic cables are not a target for copper theft, they can connect with other telecommunication infrastructures along the route. Damage to this supporting infrastructure due to copper theft can lead to disruptions affecting the broader network and causing service interruptions for fiber customers.
In collaboration with the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation, CityWest is developing the project. This route will be accessible to other telecommunications carriers seeking enhanced resilience.
Recent incidents, such as the outage on August 11 that impacted internet service for numerous CityWest customers west of Prince George, were attributed to disruptions in Rogers’ transport infrastructure in Alberta, likely caused by cable theft. The backup route was further compromised due to a wildfire in the B.C. Interior.
Thieves have previously disrupted Telus services in the northwest twice since May by tampering with or attempting to steal copper cables in northern B.C. CityWest emphasizes that the new infrastructure will be buried underground to reduce visibility and mitigate risks such as theft, wildfires, vehicular accidents, and wildlife damage.
To ensure operational continuity during prolonged power outages, equipment sites along the route will feature redundant power systems. The completion of the route is anticipated by the conclusion of 2027.