Rogers is boosting internet connectivity for thousands of residents and businesses on British Columbia’s Southern Gulf Islands through a $10 million infrastructure project that lays fibre-optic cable beneath the ocean.
The telecommunications company has completed the build of a specialized undersea fibre line connecting Pender, Mayne, and Galiano Islands to mainland B.C., enabling access to Rogers’ Xfinity service. The upgrade brings download speeds of up to 2 Gbps—more than 80 times faster than the previously available 25 Mbps.
“This was a unique build to connect these communities with a fibre line,” said Mark Kennedy, Chief Technology Officer at Rogers. “Our team of 40 spent over 12,000 hours on the project, supported by five vessels.”
Laying nearly eight kilometres of fibre along the ocean floor, divers worked carefully to ensure minimal environmental disruption. The result is a durable, weather-resilient network designed to withstand the region’s frequent storms and hydro interruptions—an important improvement for these remote communities.
“Now residents on the Southern Gulf Islands can use Rogers Xfinity, Canada’s most reliable internet, to stream, make video calls and more,” said Bret Leech, President of Residential Services at Rogers.
The Southern Gulf Islands, located off the coast of Vancouver Island, have long struggled with network accessibility due to their geographic isolation. This new connection enables residents to work remotely and reliably from home—a critical need in today’s digital economy.
Rogers says the investment is part of a broader commitment to expanding its national network. The company has spent nearly $70 billion over the past two decades on infrastructure and expects to bring multi-gig internet to nearly eight million homes across Canada this year.
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