Connect the Basin
The Connect the Basin is a multi-year project that will bring high-speed internet connectivity to more rural communities and areas in the Columbia Basin. The first phase—an $82-million initiative—receives funding from the federal and provincial governments, the regional districts of Central Kootenay, Columbia Shuswap, Kootenay Boundary, East Kootenay, and Columbia Basin Trust, creating access to high-speed internet for 5,429 homes.
This work includes expanding the Trust’s regional fibre optic network and building last-mile infrastructure that Internet service providers can use to deliver high-speed internet.
The project has since received additional provincial support, enabling the expansion of fibre-to-home infrastructure to an additional 2,653 households in the region.
Project Milestones
Construction is now underway around the region.
This project has an overall scheduled completion date of March 2027.
Communities
Household eligibility was determined by the federal government based on areas assessed as receiving less than 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload or 50/10—the Universal Service Objective.
Phase 1 will bring fibre to 5,429 homes in 59 communities in the regional districts of Central Kootenay, Columbia Shuswap, Kootenay Boundary and East Kootenay, including: Appledale, Baynes Lake, Blaeberry, Brandon, Burton, Caithness, Carrolls Landing, Cassimayooks No.5 (ʔaq̓am), Castledale, Donald, East Arrow Park, Edgewood, Elko, Erie, Fauquier, Field, Forde, Fort Steele, Galloway, Grasmere, Hall, Harrogate, Hills, Jersey, Kicking Horse, Kragmont, Lebahdo, Lemon Creek, Makinson, Mayook, Meadowbrook, Meadows, Moberly, Monroe Lake, Nelway, New Denver, Nicholson, Park Siding, Parson, Passmore, Perrys, Porto Rico, Roosville, Rosebery, Ross Spur, Rural Slocan, Rural Salmo, Silverton including Red Mountain Rd., Skookumchuck, Slocan Park, Spillimacheen, Summit Lake, Sweetwater, Ta Ta Creek, Tobacco Plains (Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it First Nation), Vallican, Wardner, Winlaw and Rural Ymir.
With additional provincial support, Phase 2 will extend fibre-to-home infrastructure to 2,653 more households in seven communities: Nakusp, New Denver, Rosebery, Salmo, Silverton, Slocan and Valemount.
On the map below, Phase 1 communities are shown in red and Phase 2 communities are shown in blue. Zoom in to explore each community in more detail. Click on the top left corner to expand the legend.
Construction Techniques
Aerial
Aerial fibre optic construction involves the installation of fibre optic cable on existing utility/communications poles.
Aerial fibre construction is the most common method of deployment on the Trust’s network and is generally more affordable than underground deployment, but more expensive than submarine deployments.
Aerial fibre is most at-risk of damage due to environmental hazards such as fires, mudslides, rockslides, avalanches, etc. and is costly to operate due to costs associated with renting pole space but is relatively affordable to maintain and repair in the event of damage.
Underground
Underground fibre optic construction involves the installation of fibre optic cable into conduit that is buried underground.
Underground fibre construction is common in rural areas and in areas where there are no existing utility or communications poles. Underground deployment is the most expensive method of fibre installation due to the requirement of significant labour.
Underground fibre is generally safe from environmental risks such as fires, mudslides, rockslides, avalanches, etc. and is very inexpensive to operate but very expensive to maintain and repair in the event of damage due to access issues, especially in cold weather.
Submarine
Submarine fibre optic construction involves the installation of fibre optic cable directly into fresh or salt water environments.
Traditionally, submarine construction is very expensive due to the high material costs associated with deploying cable that is resistant to damage from water and water pressure. However, the Trust has developed a submarine fibre cable that is capable of withstanding freshwater environments at a fraction of the cost of traditional underwater cable.
Submarine fibre is relatively safe from environmental risks such as fires, mudslides, rockslides, avalanches, etc. and is very inexpensive to operate but is very expensive to maintain and repair in the (unlikely) event of damage due to access issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will this project do?
Connect the Basin is a multi-year initiative that will improve high-speed internet connectivity across more communities in the Columbia Basin. It includes expansion of the Trust’s regional fibre network (the fibre between communities) and a significant last-mile build that brings fibre directly to homes. Once construction is complete, residents will be able to contact an Internet service provider to sign up for service.
What is the timeline for this project?
This is a complex, multi-year project that involves design work, permitting and contractor engagement before construction can begin. Construction will take place in multiple communities over several seasons. The project is expected to be completed by March 2027.
Which communities will benefit?
Phase 1 of Connect the Basin will bring fibre to approximately 5,429 homes in 59 communities across the regional districts of Central Kootenay, Columbia Shuswap, Kootenay Boundary and East Kootenay including: Appledale, Baynes Lake, Blaeberry, Brandon, Burton, Caithness, Carrolls Landing, Cassimayooks No.5 (ʔaq̓am), Castledale, Donald, East Arrow Park, Edgewood, Elko, Erie, Fauquier, Field, Forde, Fort Steele, Galloway, Grasmere, Hall, Harrogate, Hills, Jersey, Kicking Horse, Kragmont, Lebahdo, Lemon Creek, Makinson, Mayook, Meadowbrook, Meadows, Moberly, Monroe Lake, Nelway, New Denver, Nicholson, Park Siding, Parson, Passmore, Perrys, Porto Rico, Roosville, Rosebery, Ross Spur, Rural Slocan, Rural Salmo, Silverton including Red Mountain Rd., Skookumchuck, Slocan Park, Spillimacheen, Summit Lake, Sweetwater, Ta Ta Creek, Tobacco Plains (Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it First Nation), Vallican, Wardner, Winlaw and Rural Ymir.
With additional provincial support, Phase 2 will bring fibre to 2,653 additional homes in Nakusp, New Denver, Rosebery, Salmo, Silverton, Slocan and Valemount.
Explore the community map for more details.
How were households identified for this project?
The federal government determined eligibility based on areas assessed as receiving less than 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload (50/10), the Universal Service Objective. The Trust designed the project to serve as many of these federally eligible areas as possible.
My community is not listed. What does this mean for me?
Funding was provided to connect areas deemed eligible by the federal and provincial governments.
How can I get connected?
When construction in your area is complete, residents will be able to contact a local Internet service provider to sign up for service. Service packages and pricing will be set by each provider.
What installation methods are used?
Installation methods vary by location and may include underground, submarine or aerial construction. All work will follow industry best practices and comply with all regulatory and permitting requirements.
Who will complete the fibre build?
The Trust will work with qualified contractors and partners to complete the design and construction of the network.
