The proposal can also help Labrador's data center export processing capacity

The submarine network extending from northern Canada to Norway could open the way for the Inuit community to significantly improve Internet connectivity and open up the potential for export processing capacity for the data center built in Labrador.

CanArtic Inuit Networks and Bulk Infrastructure Inc are developing the proposed network that will connect Nunavut and Nunatsiavut, the latter being land owned by Inuit in northern Labrador.

"Now we have a project to connect the Nordic region with Atlantic Canada," Bulk Infrastructure Chairman Peder Nærbø said in an interview with CBC Radio's Labrador Morning.

"So it can be used as a critical infrastructure for broadband connections," he said, while also serving the "big data center industry...now rapidly growing [requires] more and more renewable energy."

The proposal involves two areas-poor Internet connectivity in remote communities, and the growth of data centers. These centers have lower operating costs in colder climates, and the local water and electricity supply in Labrador also enables potential data centers to be marketed in a more environmentally friendly manner.

The proposed network is divided into two projects.

CanArtic's SednaLink cable will run from Sheshatshiu in central Labrador through Nunatsiavut to Iqaluit in Nunavut for a total length of 1,904 kilometers.

If successful, the project will be the first optical cable to connect the two regions of Inuit Nunangat. It will connect the mines of Makkovik, Postville, Hopedale, Natuashish, Nain and Voisey's Bay, and then to Iqaluit.

The second phase of the SednaLink cable will be laid to the Arctic, an additional 2,960 kilometers.

Big Land Networks, an Internet service provider based in Labrador, is also expected to play a role in providing connectivity to these communities in Labrador.

CanArtic Inuit Networks Chief Operating Officer Madeleine Redfern said in an interview with the Labrador Morning News: “When you come to Labrador, Nunatsiavut provides us with potential cooperation with Big Land Networks. Opportunity for partners to meet because we want to establish relationships with local Internet providers.”.

The southern part of this cable will be merged with Bulk Infrastructure's submarine fiber optic cable, which the company calls Leif Erikson after the legendary explorer. The cable will connect an area near Happy Valley-Goose Bay with a terminal 4,200 kilometers away in Norway.

Bulk Infrastructure also hopes to connect their cable ends inland to Quebec.

Redfern said that the improvement of internet connection is vital to Inuit Nurangat.

In Iqaluit, a state of emergency was declared on October 12 after fuel pollution made the local supply undrinkable.

According to Redfern, although news is breaking out, the local Internet connection is poor due to adverse weather conditions, which has caused delays in the spread of news in the community.

"In a state of emergency, in order to obtain information from officials, good connectivity is absolutely necessary," said Redfern, the former mayor of Iqaluit.

Related reports from the north: 

Canada: The Prime Minister of Canada promised to connect 98% of Canadians, including the North, to high-speed internet by 2026, CBC News

Norway: New satellite can promote communications in the Norwegian Arctic, independent Barents observer

Russia: The Russian military will obtain a fast and secure Internet through a trans-Arctic cable, independent Barents observers

United States: A fiber optic network connecting Alaska with the rest of the United States, Alaska public media

Rafsan Faruque Jugol is a reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Newfoundland and Labrador in Goose Bay, Happy Valley. Do you have tips or any concerns? Email me: rafsan.faruque.jugol@cbc.ca

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