Fibre-optic cables have been in use for global communications since the first transatlantic telephone cable went into operation in 1988, connecting North America and Europe.
Today, fibre-optic cables are being introduced to the Canadian Arctic through project and companies like Tamaani and the Kativik Regional Government (KRG), Far North Digital, CanArctic Inuit Networks, and the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link.
Launched by the KRG in 2004, Tamaani brought the Eastern Arctic Underwater Fibre Optic Network (EAUFON) project to the Nunavik region of the Canadian Arctic.
1,175 kilometres of submarine fibre cables and 455 kilometres of terrestrial fibre cables, connecting 14 Nunavik communities was completed between 2019 and 2022.
Activated in June, 2022, this section of fibre cable is phase 1/3 of what KRG one day hopes will connect the entirety of Nunavik by high-speed, high-capacity network.
The Alaskan-based Far North Digital teamed up with Finland’s Cinia to create a cable laying project that plans to connect Japan to Europe by fibre-optic lines through the Canadian Northwest Passage. Far North Digital estimates the line will be operational by the end of 2026.
The 14,500 kilometre project does not include network connections to communities in the Canadian Arctic. A Canadian company, CanArctic Inuit Networks Inc., plans to bridge the gap, connecting northern communities across the Northwest Passage to the soon-to-be communications line. It will likely be years before they reach smaller communities, but the connections to Iqaluit – Canada’s only capital city without fibre in 2024 – are expected to be underway this year.
When interviewed by Nunavut News, Madeleine Redfern, the chief operating officer of CanArctic Inuit Networks, said Nunavut has needed a fibre-optic network for a long time.
“Iqaluit is the only capital city in Canada without fibre,” she said. “Without fibre, our governments, businesses, NGOs and residents struggle with never-ending connectivity challenges.”
“It hampers productivity and it can become a safety issue when the networks aren’t working,” said Redfern.
“Not long ago, RCMP kept issuing notices to residents that if they needed police services, that people would have to go to the detachment. This isn’t reasonable or possible such as in a domestic violence situation or someone breaking into your home or apartment.”
Much like KRG’s EAUFON project, the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link (KHFL) aims to connect the remote, coastal communities surrounding the Hudson Bay. The project is still in early stages, but promises, “Saving millions on diesel. Drastically reducing emissions. Connecting the north and creating multi-generational socio-economic benefits”, by connecting them to the grid in Manitoba, “..directly benefiting the communities of Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Rankin Inlet, and Whale Cove.”
The project’s timeline:
- 2018-2021: Pre-development
- 2022-2026: Development
- 2026-2028: Engineering & Procurement
- 2028-2032: Construction
Canadian Arctic Security 
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