So what does this fibre optic cable look like? It's surprisingly small. The black cable is the actual cable, containing 96 fibre optic strands through which signals travel at (close to) lightning speeds. It's surrounded by a protective coating and embedded in a tube. There is also a second tube which is empty and allows for the possibility of future expansion!
the fibre optic line moves under streams
The fibre optic line currently being installed has to cross creeks and streams. To minimize environmental impacts GwaiiTel has selected a construction company which handles this issue not by going over or through the water, but by tunnelling underneath the stream, using a small directional drill. The drill starts its work some 30-50 meters away from any stream, avoiding impacting the stream banks or stream bed.
Work begins on the 114km fibre optic line
And so it begins! The machinery and equipment have arrived on island and construction of the 114 km fibre optic line has begun. Over the next 8 to 10 weeks you will find crews working along the highway between Masset and Skidegate, as well as towards Tow Hill. The fibre line is going to be a vital component in providing better Internet to all of Haida Gwaii.
GwaiiTel Society is a non-profit Internet society owned by the communities on Haida Gwaii that supplies broadband to the islands. GwaiiTel brings internet from the mainland to Haida Gwaii and into communities. Local Internet Service Providers then provide services directly to homes and businesses.
System upgrades for Haida Gwaii's internet
In January 2016, construction will begin on a project aimed at significantly speeding up local Internet. Once completed, anywhere a connection by one of our partner ISPs is provisioned, it will be a 5/1, 99.9% SLO, as proven by an on-net speed test located at a TBD location on the mainland (i.e. GwaiiTel POP on Mt. Hays).
There are 3 key components of this project.
- A second diverse radio link to the mainland, that will include hot spares and automatic failover to increase capacity.
- The installation of an in-ground fibre backbone from Masset to Skidegate connecting GwaiiTel owned fibre to deliver services along Highway 16 to Queen Charlotte.
- The installation of DWDM equipment to light the fibre backbone
Public meetings on our new infrastructure project
We appreciate those who braced wind, rain and distance to attend the public meetings with Mark Halwa, Project Manager for our new infrastructure project. Please share your information with your neighbours and watch for signs of the build coming throughout the winter! Thank you.
For those who missed it, here are the slides from the presentation.
