More homes and businesses on Denman Island will be getting fibre optic services, thanks to an investment of $1.7 million from the province, and funding from City West.
The announcement of a $2.1 million increase to the existing fibre-optic project adds 238 homes to the scope of the project, which started in 2022. Since then, CityWest has worked with the project funding partners to increase the footprint of the project. The initial scope of the project left several areas of the island without fibre-optic services. This additional funding will materially cover the majority of the remaining homes and businesses in the community with fibre-optic services.
The province will provide $1.7 million of that increase, with City West covering the rest of the costs.
"Reliable access to high-speed internet is essential for daily life, from running a business to accessing vital government services and staying connected with family and friends,鈥� said George Chow, Minister of Citizens鈥� Services. 鈥淭he expansion of the Denman Island project means more people will be able to access the tools they need to work, study and engage with the digital world and brings our government closer to ensuring every household in British Columbia has access to high-speed internet."
To date, CityWest鈥檚 newly built network has brought fibre-optic connectivity to 759 properties in the community. The March 5 announcement will bring that total number to 997, representing 95 per cent of occupied properties on Denman Island.
Forty seven homes were not included in the project due to geological and other site-related construction restraints. Owners of those 47 properties will be contacted by City West directly with more information on next steps. The company will also send technicians to these properties to assess and help make custom plans for connection.
Fibre-optic services are being delivered on Denman Island through a partnership with the Comox Valley Regional District. The initial project, which covers both Denman and Hornby Islands was strongly supported at the local level, with 94 per cent of residents between the two islands voting in favour of the last-mile build. The partnership will see a portion of the profits from Internet, TV, and phone services go directly back into the Comox Valley Regional District for grants and other forms of assistance that benefit residents and community organizations.
鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to bring improved services to even more homes and businesses on Denman Island. By increasing the scale of this project, we鈥檙e able to ensure that more rural B.C. residents receive the same urban-level connectivity that you find in major cities,鈥� said Stefan Woloszyn, CEO of CityWest. 鈥淲e are grateful for our partnership with the Comox Valley Regional District and look forward to serving Denman Island for years to come.鈥�
Today, hundreds of Denman Island homes are benefiting from improved connectivity through CityWest fibre-optic services. This expansion of the current project will ensure that even more homes and businesses have access to the best technology available.
Teams will soon begin preliminary permitting and planning work for the newly announced areas of Denman Island.
