SEPT-ÎLES, Que. — Telus and the federal government jointly announced today a $15-million investment for the deployment of an underwater fibre-optic cable between Sept-Îles and the Gaspésie region of Quebec. The federal funding is coming through the Connect to Innovate program.
The submarine cable will improve the reliability and security of telecommunications services on Quebec’s North Shore, by providing an additional high-speed connection in the region, says the news release. In the event of a fibre cut on the main transmission network, the new underwater fibre link will ensure the continuity of Internet, TV, and wireline and wireless phone services to communities located between Baie-Comeau and Blanc-Sablon, says the release.
“This major project is another successful collaboration, combining the broad technological expertise of Telus and robust joint investments, to ensure more reliable and secure Internet connectivity for North Shore families, businesses, and public institutions,” said François Gratton, executive vice-president, Telus group president and chair of Telus Health and Telus Québec, in the release. “The submarine cable will make connectivity even more robust. This additional fibre-optic cable will ensure the readiness of public institutions, enable local companies to grow their digital presence, and connect families with their loved ones.”
Telus and the government of Canada plan to complete the deployment of the submarine cable by 2023. Once finished, it will be connected to Telus’ redundant telecommunications network, which serves the 14 isolated communities in the Lower North Shore. These communities were first connected to high-speed Internet access and mobile phone service in November 2019, through a project leveraging 4G LTE Advanced technology and joint investments of more than $23 million from the governments of Canada and Quebec, and Telus.
