How are we working together?
Access to reliable high-speed internet and cellular connectivity is more important than ever before. From healthcare and education to public safety and economic growth, internet access plays a vital role in our daily lives.
The Ministry of Citizens’ Services collaborates with all levels of government, including First Nations and First Nation organizations, to support projects and funding that expand connectivity in underserved First Nation reserves and Modern Treaty Nation lands. Working together, we are making steady progress. In 2017, 66% of households on First Nation reserves had access to high-speed internet services. As of January 2025, that number has increased to approximately 83%, with an additional 13% expected to be connected when projects in progress are completed.
Are there challenges?
There are overall programmatic risks to meeting the 2027 targets for several reasons including:
- Accurate Data — there is a need for comprehensive and up-to-date data on the number, locations, and addresses of homes in First Nations communities to assist in ensuring all homes have access to high-speed internet;
- Technology solutions (i.e., Low Earth Orbit satellite services for the final homes that are cost prohibitive to serve with a terrestrial build);
- Disruption in build cycles due to emergency and weather conditions (i.e., many underserved communities are in high-risk wildfire and flood areas); and
- The sheer volume of complex permitting and consultations which are a major time component for connectivity projects to complete (i.e., land tenure applications, utility poles, etc.).
Highlights
As of January 2025, 83% of homes on First Nation reserves have access to high-speed internet services. When all current projects are complete, that figure will rise to nearly 96%. As more projects are received and assessed through the Connecting Communities BC program, this figure will increase until all homes have access to high-speed internet services.