Rogers Expands Internet Access to Southern Gulf Islands
Rogers is set to improve internet services for 3,000 homes and businesses located on the Southern Gulf Islands in British Columbia. This upgrade comes through a newly installed undersea fiber optic cable.
The company has invested $10 million into this project, which connects Pender, Mayne, and Galiano Islands directly to the mainland of B.C. In a recent announcement shared with the public, Rogers highlighted that these enhancements will provide island residents with faster internet speeds and greater reliability.
Significant Speed Boost for Island Residents
With this new infrastructure in place, customers can now enjoy download speeds of up to 2Gbps. This marks a dramatic enhancement from the previous maximum speed of just 25Mbps available on these islands.
A Challenging Installation Process
The Southern Gulf Islands are situated off the eastern coast of Vancouver Island. According to Rogers, building network infrastructure in this area posed unique challenges due to it's remote nature. The installation required specialized materials and techniques for success.
The project involved laying approximately eight kilometers of underwater cable along the ocean floor. Divers were tasked with ensuring that this process did not disturb local marine life or ecosystems while securing the cable properly beneath the waves. A dedicated team of 40 workers committed around 12,000 hours over several months to complete this aspiring undertaking.
Weather Resilience Built-In
Once installed and secured on the ocean floor, Rogers anticipates that this new cabling will substantially lessen disruptions caused by adverse weather conditions common in coastal regions like these islands.
A Radiant Future for Connectivity
This investment by Rogers represents a major step forward in enhancing connectivity for residents who have long faced limitations due to their geographical location. With improved internet access now available, island communities can look forward to better online experiences—whether it’s streaming movies or working from home more efficiently.
Header image credit: Rogers
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