TELUS unveils subsea cable to boost Quebec North Shore

TELUS has commissioned a nearly 125-kilometre submarine fibre-optic cable between Sept-Îles and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, creating a new backup telecommunications route for Quebec's North Shore east of Baie-Comeau.

The cable runs under the St. Lawrence River and was deployed and buried in the seabed in November and December 2025. TELUS described the project as a resilience measure for communities that rely on the main terrestrial corridor along Route 138 between Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles.

The build was funded through a joint investment of more than $20 million by TELUS and the Government of Canada. Federal ministers said the funding supports broader efforts to expand and strengthen connectivity in remote and rural areas.

Redundancy has become a growing priority for operators as extreme weather events and climate-related emergencies put more pressure on infrastructure. The North Shore spans long distances with sparse population centres and has long faced connectivity constraints due to geography and limited route diversity.

The new subsea route provides an alternative path if the terrestrial network fails, including breaks or other incidents along the Route 138 corridor. The added route is intended to reduce the risk of prolonged service disruptions for households, businesses, and public services.

TELUS said the cable offers high capacity and low latency, and has a multi-decade design life. It also described the link as part of a "diverse route strategy"-keeping physical network paths separate so a single incident does not disrupt every connection.

"The completion of this state-of-the-art submarine infrastructure marks a historic moment for citizens along the North Shore - a region that has long faced connectivity challenges due to its remote location and vast, rugged landscape. Moreover, this important initiative demonstrates our TELUS team's unwavering commitment to enhancing the resilience of our digital infrastructure in communities across the country," said Darren Entwistle, president and CEO of TELUS.

Entwistle linked the project to the growing risk of disruptions that operators and governments have highlighted in recent years.

"As extreme weather and climate-related emergencies are becoming increasingly frequent, TELUS' infrastructure will ensure that citizens, businesses and institutions in the region receive reliable access to essential services. We are grateful to the Government of Canada for their partnership in co-funding this vital initiative, which underscores our shared dedication to building a connected, resilient and prosperous future for all Canadians," said Entwistle.

Ottawa also presented the build as a step toward improving service quality for people who live and work along the North Shore. "The successful deployment of this submarine cable is a major step forward in improving connectivity for communities along the North Shore," said Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.

"In our increasingly digital world, our government is investing in the essential services and connectivity Canadians rely on, no matter where they are," Joly said.

Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development), pointed to national targets for internet access and the local impact of improved network reliability. "The Government of Canada is committed to getting high-speed Internet for all Canadians by 2030. Led by TELUS, this project will improve network reliability for communities east of Baie-Comeau," he said.

Belanger also highlighted services that depend on stable connectivity in regions with long travel distances and limited local provision. "This is an important milestone for connectivity: it will make it easier to access healthcare and e-learning, while helping people stay connected with their loved ones," he said.

Marine safeguards

TELUS said the work followed standards intended to protect marine wildlife and the environment. During installation, it used a detection system combining thermal imaging, artificial intelligence, and human monitoring. TELUS said the approach aimed to prevent collisions and reduce sound impacts on marine mammals, and described it as a first in Canada.

Restoration work is planned for spring and summer 2026 along St. Lawrence River shorelines. TELUS said it will focus on protecting shorelines and supporting the natural regrowth of plants, including sea lyme-grass.

Investment pipeline

TELUS also pointed to longer-term spending plans, citing $70 billion in planned investments through 2029 for infrastructure development, business expansion, and spectrum licence acquisition.

For the North Shore, the project adds route diversity across the water crossing between Sept-Îles and Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. TELUS said the cable is now in service as part of the regional network, with restoration work scheduled for spring and summer 2026.