High-speed internet coming to 4,000 rural homes in B.C.
Published 10:00 am Thursday, June 11, 2026
By Roger Knox
B.C. Minister of Citizen Services Diana Gibson (centre) announces a new high-speed internet network for 4,000 homes within the Thompson Okanagan region Wednesday, June 10, in Vernon. Joining Gibson for the announcement are (from left): Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development Steve Morissette from Fruitvale; Thompson Nicola Regional District Area L director Doug Haughton; Vernon-Lumby MLA Harwinder Sandhu; and Telus director of reconciliation and community engagement Marissa Nobauer. (Roger Knox - Black Press)
High-speed internet is coming to 50 rural and Indigenous communities in the Thompson Okanagan region.
Soon.
B.C. Minister of Citizens’ Services, Diana Gibson, was in Vernon Wednesday, June 10, at Civic Memorial Park to announce the provincial and federal governments will invest $63 million as part of a larger investment to extend fibre-optic internet to as many as 4,000 households in the region.
The new fibre will connect communities like Falkland, Kingfisher, Silver Creek, Rock Creek, Okanagan No. 1 Indian Band, Neskonlith No. 1 Indian Band, Kettle Valley and Westbridge.
“High-speed internet is essential infrastructure for people to learn, work, connect, access health care and grow their businesses, no matter where they live,” said Gibson. “Through our partnership with the Government of Canada and Telus, we are expanding reliable connectivity across the regions like Thompson-Okanagan, ensuring more families, businesses and Indigenous communities can grow the region’s economy while benefiting from new opportunities close to home.”
The connections are expected to be in place by the end of 2029.
Through the Connecting Communities BC program and the federal Universal Broadband Fund, the $63 million will support the construction of a new fibre-optic network serving nearly 4,000 households in 50 communities.
The new fibre-optic network will create a dedicated, high-capacity connection in the Thompson-Okanagan region, strengthening the digital foundation that communities, businesses and First Nations rely on every day, including:
• remote health-care delivery and telehealth
• emergency response and public safety
• government services
• education and online learning
• tourism and local business operations
• community and social networking.
“Reliable high-speed internet helps people access services, pursue education, grow businesses and stay connected to their communities,” said Vernon-Lumby MLA Harwinder Sandhu, the emcee for Wednesday’s gathering and announcement.
“Through this investment, we are helping more people throughout the Thompson-Okanagan region benefit from the opportunities that connectivity brings, while supporting stronger communities and local economies for years to come.”
Thompson Nicola Regional District Area L director Doug Haughton concurred.
“For our communities, including families, businesses and First Nations across the TNRD Grasslands, it means better connectivity and greater access to the opportunities that come with it,” he said.
Telus will lead the design and construction of the fibre-optic network. The project will reach 50 communities, areas where geography and distance have historically limited access to reliable internet.
Marissa Nobauer, director of reconciliation and community engagement with Telus, called the network “a generational project.”
“Telus is committed to bridging the digital divide across British Columbia,” she said. “We’re bringing reliable high-speed fibre connectivity to under-served communities, enabling residents and businesses to access world-class education, health-care services and economic opportunities that fuel B.C.’s prosperity.
“Connectivity is fundamental to ensuring every British Columbian can fully participate in our digital economy and build thriving futures.”
The Connecting Communities BC program supports projects like this to expand high-speed internet access to rural and remote areas, levelling the playing field for people in British Columbia.
“Staying connected for rural folks is a necessity for safety, quality of life, and for a community’s growth and economic development,” said Fruitvale’s Steve Morissette, Parliamentary secretary for rural development.
“Connectivity investments like this one are vital to ensuring people in local communities thrive from online access to business, education and employment opportunities.”
