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.

  1. A second diverse radio link to the mainland, that will include hot spares and automatic failover to increase capacity.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

The longest microwave link in North America

From 2010 - 2012, GwaiiTel oversaw the construction of on island POPs (Points of Presence) and one of the longest microwave radio link in North America. This 125km link connected Haida Gwaii with Mount Mt. Hays in Prince Rupert, bringing Internet access to these remote islands in northwest British Columbia. The northernmost communities of Masset and Old Masset have the most reliable and stable connection, as they use cable and are closest to the microwave tower. A fibre then runs between Old Masset/Masset and the southern communities of Queen Charlotte and Skidegate. The remaining 100km distance is spanned using wireless POPs.