Eskasoni First Nation Residential Fiber Optic Project

completed

The rural community of Eskasoni First Nation is a fast-growing community and has a growing need for connectivity as current telecommunications are inadequate to service the needs of the community. This project seeks to provide a solution to the issue by installing and providing fiber optic internet services to the 4600 residents of Eskasoni. The project will run lines to upgrade connectivity for the 1200 homes in the community allowing greater access to information in the fast-paced world we live. As the community plans to build approximately 20 homes per year over the next few years, the technical capacity being developed through this project will enable future homes to benefit from the community`s improved internet services and greater access to information. Each household will be then be capable of receiving Internet speeds up to 10 Gigabit/second. This will allow the growing community to compete globally with larger urban centers. Eskasoni will be the sole owner of the network. Its partner, Seaside Communications Inc., will install the high-speed internet system, and will help with administration and operation. The arrangement will enable Eskasoni to develop new telecommunications jobs for indigenous workers in installation, maintenance, and support.