denman island update, March 5, 2025

 March 5, 2025  

CityWest Announces Expansion of Denman Island Project 

DENMAN ISLAND - 

Today, CityWest is proud to announce that more homes and businesses on Denman Island will receive fibre-optic services through a $2.1 million increase to the current project’s budget. The investment represents 238 additional homes to be added to the scope of the project. The Government of British Columbia will invest $1.7 million, administered by Northern Development Initiative Trust, with the remaining costs to be covered by CityWest. 

Civil construction on Denman Island began in the spring of 2022. Since then, CityWest has worked with the project funding partners to increase the footprint of the project. The initial scope of the project left several areas of the island without fibre-optic services. This additional funding will materially cover the majority of the remaining homes and businesses in the community with fibre-optic services.

 "Reliable access to high-speed internet is essential for daily life, from running a business to accessing vital government services and staying connected with family and friends,” said George Chow, Minister of Citizens’ Services. “The expansion of the Denman Island project means more people will be able to access the tools they need to work, study and engage with the digital world and brings our government closer to ensuring every household in British Columbia has access to high-speed internet." 

To date, CityWest’s newly built network has brought fibre-optic connectivity to 759 properties in the community. Today’s announcement will bring that total number to 997, representing 95% of occupied properties on Denman Island. A total of 47 homes were not included in the project’s increased scope due to various geological and construction restraints. These 47 properties will be contacted directly by CityWest with more information on next steps. CityWest will be sending technicians to further evaluate custom plans for these properties. 

Fibre-optic services are being delivered on Denman Island through a partnership with the Comox Valley Regional District. The initial project, which covers both Denman and Hornby Islands was strongly supported at the local level, with 94% of residents between the two islands voting in favour of the last mile build. The partnership will see a portion of the profits from Internet, TV, and phone services go directly back into the Comox Valley Regional District for grants and other forms of assistance that benefit residents and community organizations. 

“We’re thrilled to bring improved services to even more homes and businesses on Denman Island. By increasing the scale of this project, we’re able to ensure that more rural B.C. residents receive the same urban-level connectivity that you find in major cities,” said Stefan Woloszyn, CEO of CityWest. “We are grateful for our partnership with the Comox Valley Regional District and look forward to serving Denman Island for years to come.” 

March 5, 2025 Today, hundreds of Denman Island homes are benefiting from improved connectivity through CityWest fibre-optic services. This expansion of the current project will ensure that even more homes and businesses have access to the best technology available. Teams will soon begin preliminary permitting and planning work for the newly announced areas of Denman Island. 

Additional Quotes 

Karen Ross, Denman/Hornby Islands Internet Committee “Our communities are very appreciative that CityWest is providing superior fiber optic internet service to our Islands. And pleased that City West and the Province will provide the needed additional funding to complete the installation on Denman Island." 

Daniel Arbour, Comox Valley Regional District Area A Director “We are thankful to the Province of BC for ensuring that 95% of Denman residents will receive high speed internet connectivity. I also want to thank CityWest for persevering and overcoming challenges as we work to connect Hornby and Denman Island residents. This is a good day.” 

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CityWest has over 100 years of service as a company that has a profound impact on the communities we serve because we are locally owned and locally based. We live and work in the same communities that our customers do. Our local distinction and our partnerships are what makes us unique and allows us to offer a competitive advantage. CityWest is proud to provide a superior customer experience to our customers across B.C., who subscribe to Internet, TV, and phone services. For more information on the company, please visit www.citywest.ca 

November 10, 23

4 pm PST Teams Meeting

CITY WEST UPDATE 

Attendees: 

City West: Stephan, Colin Bell, Wes Eisses, Scott Simpson

Hornby Denman Internet Committee: John Grayson, John Wigle, Peter Spurr, Karen Ross

General: 

Denman is expected to officially “light up” next week, on November 14th.

There has been an offer for 2 months of free service. The service is directly from the Vancouver Internet Exchange, via the subsea cable. Exciting times for rural and remote communities on the coast of B.C. (https://connectedcoast.ca/)

DENMAN DISCUSSION:

o Denman beta test group, glowing reports. FB POSTS.

o Denman will “light up” on November 14th. On Nov. 10th that is 111 homes, but homes are being added everyday as the home “drops” are done.

o The network will continue to be built and homes added. “Light up as we go.”

o The blockage on “Graffitti Hill” should be done within 6 weeks. They have had to go aerial for that section (and there may be more sections where a civil build is impractical). The deal with Hydro is just finalized. The “make ready” includes replacing 3 poles. Normal time for this to happen is 6 weeks. After that is done, the fibre goes up in a day, the box in a week. So anticipate affected areas (e.g. East Road) service will be “lit” by the end of the year.

o Scott Simpson Marketing for C.W. has prepared this list of FAQ., for their clients:

Denman Island FAQs in November:

Q: I’m part of the beta testing group, but my services don’t appear to be available. 

A: We have begun configuring routers in preparation of our November 14th beta testing group. Please check that your router is plugged in and receiving power. If your router hasn’t come online, we recommend power-cycling your equipment. Unplug your router, waiting 30 seconds, and plug it back in. 

Q: Why aren’t my services ready on November 14th? 

A: CityWest selected a group of customers with pre-existing wiring and equipment to be part of our beta testing group. Construction teams are still actively building on Denman Island and preparing more homes and businesses for services in the future. CityWest can check your a

Address and see if it can be added to the test group in the future. 

Q: Why are you testing services? 

A: The Denman Island and Connected Coast networks are both newly built. Although they are built to the highest standards with fibre-optic technology, we want to ensure that we monitor our test group to make sure that everyone is getting the best experience possible with their services before we expand to the rest of the community. 

Q: How long will the beta testing period last? 

A: The beta testing period will take several months to complete. The exact length of time will depend on several testing factors from CityWest’s inside and outside technical teams. We plan to expand the group of test customers during this timeframe. 

Q: I want to be part of the beta test, how do I sign up? 

A: You must be registered for CityWest services to be eligible for beta testing. The CityWest team can verify if your address can be serviced during the test period. If so, we will schedule an installation for you soon. To sign up for services, visit www.citywest.ca/sign-up or call CityWest at 1-800-442-8664.

Q: I can’t get connected today, but I still want to get CityWest services when they’re available. What do I do? 

A: Eligible addresses on Denman Island can sign up today and take advantage of any promotion offerings that are available. Once services are ready at your property, our team will contact you to schedule an installation appointment. To sign up for services, visit www.citywest.ca/sign-up If your address is not available for sale yet, please fill out the contact form on www.citywest.ca/dropping-in and let us know in the comments section.

Q: My address isn’t available on CityWest’s online ordering system, how do I make sure I get connected?

A: Crews are still constructing our network on Denman Island and not all homes are ready for pre-sale yet. If your address is not ready to sign up, go to www.citywest.ca/dropping-in and fill out the online form. You can also call us at 1-800-442-8664 and let our customer service team know you would like to be waitlisted until your property is available for sale.

Quick Links

· To register for services visit www.citywest.ca/sign-up

· If your address is not ready for pre-sale, but you want to be contacted when its available, visit www.citywest.ca/dropping-in

(note: this is important, basically it will place you on the waiting list and be identified as a home owner to be contacted)