Northwestel has completed construction of a new $10 million fibre optic cable link that will provide an alternate route for telecommunications during service disruptions. 

The project, which was completed ahead of schedule, is a significant enhancement of Northwestel’s infrastructure and will greatly improve network reliability and help minimize service disruptions across the entire north.

 “We recognize the importance our customers place on having reliable, consistent Internet and telecommunications services,” said Northwestel President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Flaherty. “Damage to fibre links can cause major unexpected disruptions to these services. To better protect our customers from such disruptions, we have made a significant investment in expanding the capacity of our fibre network and establishing an alternate route for traffic if fibre damage does occur. We are very pleased that this new link has been completed in advance of the summer construction season and is now in place to serve our customers.”

The new fibre link runs between Fort Nelson in British Columbia and Hay River in the Northwest Territories. With the completion of this project, telecommunications traffic can now be re-routed to bypass any facilities that may become damaged south of Hay River or south of Fort Nelson.

 “Last summer, we experienced four significant telecommunications disruptions because of damage to fibre optic cable in Alberta and B.C. said Flaherty. “After these disruptions, we made the decision to fast-track the fibre expansion project to provide better service to our customers.”

 In 2009, Northwestel completed installation of a major fibre optic link between Whitehorse, Yukon and the BC/Alberta border. This project, which laid over 1,400 kilometers of cable along the Alaska Highway corridor, spanned three years at a cost of over $40 million and was financed entirely by Northwestel.

Northwestel’s telecommunications services are still vulnerable to any fibre cuts that may occur between Fort Nelson and Whitehorse.

“We continue to explore options to provide alternate facilities in this portion of our network” said Flaherty, “including working with governments to assist in funding such a project.”

Northwestel’s fibre optic cable is clearly marked along the length of the route. However, Northwestel continues to urge anyone working along highways in its operating area to call the company at 1-888-768-5377 before they dig. Northwestel technicians will mark the route of any buried cable in the area so workers can avoid causing damage.

Northwestel provides complete telecommunications solutions and entertainment services in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta. The company’s operations span nearly 4 million square kilometres of the most remote and rugged areas of Canada.