Ungava’s fibre optic connection delayed until 2026: KRG

Updated May 30 at 11:55 a.m.

Seven Ungava communities will face a one-year delay in receiving their planned fibre optic connections, according to Kativik Regional Government.

That work is now expected to be completed in 2026. Those villages will be compensated with a community-wide Starlink connection, KRG announced Monday during its quarterly meeting being held this week in Kuujjuaraapik.

The regional government will issue a call for tenders to establish the connection between Kuujjuaq and Kawawachikamach, administration director Daryl Combden and senior telecommunication adviser Dan Pellerin said during a presentation.

In a meeting in July 2023, Pellerin set the completion date as summer 2025. Combden and Pellerin said the reason for the delay that affected the second phase of the project — known as EAUFON2 — was a lack of vessels being available for the project.

Pellerin said the fibre connection will run through Donaldson airport, Canadian Royalties Mine and Raglan Mine, giving them access to the network.

The Eastern Arctic Underwater Fibre Optic Network is separated into three phases.

The first phase was partly completed in June 2022, connecting Kuujjuaraapik, Umiujaq, Inukjuak and Puvirnituq to the Chisasibi fibre network.

The Kuujjuaq to Kawawachikamach connection,however, has been pushed back to 2026.

The total cost of the first phase was around $174 million. The land-based connection from Kuujjuaq to the Naskapi network was approved by the Nayumivik Landholding Corp. in April.

Phase two connecting Akulivik, Ivujivik and Salluit was completed in February, with only Kangiqsujuaq still to be done. This part cost approximately $114 million.

What remains in the third phase is to connect the seven Ungava communities, estimated to cost $158 million.

The completion date for that work has been pushed back a year, to summer 2026, according to a written report used as part of Monday’s presentation to KRG council.

So far, around 1,875 kilometres of fibre optic cable was installed out of the 3,425 kilometres that are required to connect Nunavik.

Until the fibre optic link is completed, KRG plans to install high-performance Starlink terminals in Kangiqsujuaq, Quaqtaq, Kangirsuk, Aupaluk, Tasiujaq and Kangiqsualujjuaq.

A similar process for Kuujjuaq is undergoing a feasibility study.

The Starlink terminals will be connected to the already installed Tamaani fibre cabling network which is used by residences and businesses in the communities.

The terminals will provide internet speeds comparable to the fibre optic network installed on the Hudson Coast, and be offered at the same price point.

KRG confirmed that no customers will be required to install individual antennas on their homes or businesses.

“We’re hoping to have this up and running in the next four to five months,” said Pellerin.

NOTE: This article has been updated from a previous version that was published.