Atlin, BC now connected with fibre-to-the-home technology, first community in Northern Canada to receive 1 Gbps internet speeds
For immediate release
Whitehorse, YT, June 25, 2025 - Today, Northwestel announced that Atlin, BC, now leads Northern Canada with 1 Gbps internet speeds powered by fibre-to-the-home technology. The community, previously unconnected to terrestrial internet, now has access to the fastest home internet in the North with unlimited monthly usage.
In December 2024, Northwestel completed the fibre transport to Atlin, which enabled Bell Mobility cellular service in the community. Now that the in-community fibre infrastructure is in place, Northwestel has begun offering fibre internet, TV, and fibre phone services to Atlin.
To celebrate the launch of these new services, Northwestel is offering significant discounts on all services, including a $50 monthly credit for up to six months on unlimited internet plans, six months of complimentary TV, and one month of complimentary phone service. For full eligibility and offer details, customers are encouraged to contact Northwestel.
Atlin is the first community in Northwestel’s operating area to have access to 1 Gbps download speeds. Northwestel will be upgrading its terrestrial, fibre-powered communities across the North with 1 Gbps technology, giving Northerners and businesses the same speeds available in Southern Canada. The next community to receive this upgrade is Granger in Whitehorse, as Northwestel invests $3 million to upgrade its infrastructure.
“It’s incredible that, in the past six months, Atlin has gone from a community with minimal connectivity to being the most connected place in all Northern Canada. We’d like to extend our congratulations and appreciation to the Taku River Tlingit First Nation, who were fierce advocates for enhancing their community’s connectivity. We’re honoured to be your chosen partner in providing best-in-class connectivity for the community.” – Nathan Pullar, Vice President of Network Technology.
“Connectivity goes beyond just access to entertainment; for us in Atlin, it is about safety and empowerment. High-speed internet is now a lifeline, ensuring that our community has access to essential services like healthcare and education. We are thankful for this important technology and the opportunities it brings. We thank our partners at Northwestel, the Government of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada for their steadfast support in making this a reality for the Taku River Tlingit First Nation and our community.” – Charmaine Thom, Taku River Tlingit First Nation.
“Bringing high speed internet to every corner of the province is essential so people can access online employment, education and healthcare services regardless of where they live,” said George Chow, Minister of Citizens’ Services, “Partners such as Northwestel, the Taku River Tlingit First Nation, and the federal government are vital to ensuring people in Atlin and Indigenous communities can continue to thrive and grow their businesses across sectors including tourism, transportation and hospitality.”
The Northwestel team is a primary sponsor of the 2025 Atlin Arts & Music Festival and will have staff on-site to help residents and businesses learn more about the new services and get signed up. Customers can also visit nwtel.ca to order the new services or call our Customer Care Centre at 1 (888) 423-2333.
Quick facts:
• Northwestel is proud to currently serve 97 communities across Northern Canada.
• The construction of transport fibre and cellular infrastructure to Atlin was completed in December 2024.
• This project was funded by Northwestel, the Province of British Columbia, and the CRTC’s Broadband Fund.
• Before the arrival of fibre in Atlin, the community had no cellular, terrestrial internet or TV services.
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About Northwestel
Northwestel is the largest telecommunications provider in Canada’s North, serving 97 communities across the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, British Columbia, and Alberta. Beginning in 2020, Northwestel’s Every Community Project significantly improved broadband services for northern residents, governments, and businesses using the latest fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technologies. Now, over 95% of homes in Yukon and NWT have access to high-speed, unlimited fibre-powered internet, either FTTH or fibre-to-the-neighbourhood. Northwestel is proud to provide services on the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples across Canada’s North. In 2024, Sixty North Unity, a consortium of Indigenous organizations, announced its plans to purchase Northwestel and make it a wholly Indigenous-owned company, which will make it the largest Indigenous-owned telecommunications in the world.
Northwestel Media Relations:
media@nwtel.ca
(867) 455-4209