Northwestel confirms discussions on trans-Arctic link

Northwestel says it’s had “very preliminary discussions” with an Alaska company hoping to build a trans-Arctic fibre optic cable.

Anne Kennedy, a spokeswoman for Northwestel, said two of the company’s vice presidents took part in a conference call with representatives with the Kodiak Kenai Cable Company, which wants to build a 15,000-kilometre link between Europe and Asia that would snake through the Northwest Passage.

“They were sounding us out on a few things,” Kennedy said. “So of course we’re quite interested in any opportunities, especially if it’s going assist with either higher internet speeds or increasing reliability.”

But Kennedy cautioned the talks were only preliminary and no deal is imminent.

And she said any further talks would be covered by a non-disclosure agreement to protect business information.

The talks did not get into what Northwestel’s precise role would be in the project or where the cable might connect to the company’s network, Kennedy added.

“They’re obviously just starting out,” she said of Kodiak Kenai. There are no dates for further talks.

Kennedy also said the idea of a trans-Arctic fibre optic cable has been around for a while, but the billion-dollar price tag has consigned it to the drawing board.

Kodiak Kenai puts the cost for their project at US$1.2 billion, and is still searching for financial backers.

Whitehorse and Yellowknife, along with a few nearby communities, enjoy fibre optic connections to the south.

While other remote communities get their telecommunications signals from microwave transmission towers, Nunavut relies entirely on satellite connections, which are much slower.

Also last week, Transport Canada said it would have to give the project the all-clear under the Navigable Waters Protection Act.

“As part of the process, [Transport Canada] seeks out the advice from federal authorities that have an interest in the proposed works including the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada and Parks Canada. An environmental assessment may be required,” wrote Transport Canada spokeswoman Melanie Orlowski in an email.

The project also needs approval from Industry Canada.