Cortes Islanders will receive unlimited high speed Internet, TV and phone service by the end of 2022, according to service provider Citywest. The company has partnered with the Strathcona Regional District to lay fiber optic cable to businesses and residences across the island. CKTZ News first reported on the project earlier this year.

The effort is part of the Connected Coast Project aimed at providing digital services to remote and urban communities equivalent to services in urban centres, and is funded by the federal and provincial governments at a cost of 45 million dollars.

Cortes Island has seen crews laying cable since January 7th, 2022. Citywest North Island Regional Manager Dino Tsakonas, a resident of Cortes, says the rocky terrain has been the biggest challenge, but crews continue to make good progress.

He adds that Citywest's sales crew is finding islanders receptive to signing up for the company's services, but, he doesn't have the number of committed subscribers so far.

Tsakonas provides an update in the interview with CKTZ News below: