Bell says Fogo Island and Change Islands in Newfoundland are now connected to the mainland by a new subsea fibre optic cable, giving residents access to faster, more reliable internet.
The company said on Tuesday it laid more than 16 kilometres of fibre across the ocean floor, replacing the old microwave-based system that used to handle communications. That older system will now serve as a backup. The upgrade means islanders should see better speeds for streaming, gaming, remote work, and online business.
The project was partly funded by the federal government’s Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) and is expected to be fully ready for customers by late fall 2025. The cable runs in two sections—about 7.25 km from Farewell to Change Islands, and 8.8 km from Change Islands to Fogo Island—reaching depths of up to 49 metres.
Project photo (CNW Group/Bell Canada (MTL))
Environmental studies were done before the installation to limit damage to marine life. Specialized equipment, like side-scan sonar and protective pipe systems, was used to place the cable in rocky and wave-heavy areas.
The UBF provided $23,878,231 (combined federal and provincial/territorial funding) to Bell for bringing high-speed internet to Fogo Island, Change Islands, and many other communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, as announced back in early 2023. This figure covers 6,861 households across the region, including those islands.
Bell’s Fibe internet plans in Newfoundland start from $60/month on 1-year terms for 50 Mbps up/down, all the way up to Gigabit Fibe 3.0 for $110/month on 1 year terms.
An alternative right now would be Starlink’s internet promo, offering 50% off hardware and monthly plans of $110 for 12 months.
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