North Shore submarine cable now in service: TELUS strengthens communications service resilience east of Baie-Comeau
Anchored in responsible innovation: TELUS contributes to marine mammal protection through AI and thermal imaging
SEPT-ÎLES, QC, Feb. 5, 2026 /CNW/ - TELUS today announced the successful deployment and commissioning of its nearly 125-kilometre submarine fibre optic cable connecting Sept-Îles to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. This critical infrastructure, which was deployed and buried in the seabed of the St. Lawrence River in November and December 2025, provides essential redundancy to the telecommunications network serving communities east of Baie-Comeau. This major project was made possible through a joint investment of more than $20 million from TELUS and the Government of Canada.
"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, TELUS. "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."
"The successful deployment of this submarine cable is a major step forward in improving connectivity for communities along the North Shore," said the Honourable 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."
"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," said the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development). 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."
The commissioning of this submarine infrastructure creates an essential backup route that will ensure the continuity of all telecommunications services in the event of failures or breaks on the main terrestrial network along Route 138 between Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles. The cable offers massive bandwidth capacity, ultra-low latency and multi-decade durability, while ensuring physical redundancy as part of TELUS's diverse route strategy.
A connectivity project anchored in responsible innovation
This major project was carried out following strict standards for the protection of marine wildlife and the environment. Several innovative initiatives were deployed.
- During cable installation, the team relied on a detection system combining thermal imaging, AI and human intelligence to prevent collisions and reduce sound impacts on marine mammals—a first in Canada.
- Environmental restoration work is planned for the spring and summer of 2026 to ensure the protection of the St. Lawrence River shorelines and to support the natural regrowth of resilient plants such as Sea Lyme-grass.
This initiative is part of TELUS's commitment to connecting regions, supported by $70 billion in planned investments through 2029 allocated to infrastructure development, business expansion and spectrum licence acquisition.
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX:T) (NYSE:TU) is a world-leading communications technology company operating in more than 45 countries and generating over $20 billion in annual revenue with more than 20 million customer connections through our advanced suite of broadband services for consumers, businesses and the public sector. We are committed to leveraging our technology to enable remarkable human outcomes. TELUS is passionate about putting our customers and communities first, leading the way globally in client service excellence and social capitalism. TELUS Health is enhancing more than 160 million lives across 200 countries and territories through innovative preventive medicine and well-being technologies. TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods utilizes digital technologies and data insights to optimize the connection between producers and consumers. TELUS Digital specializes in digital customer experiences and future-focused digital transformations that deliver value for their global clients. Guided by our enduring 'give where we live' philosophy, TELUS continues to invest in initiatives that support education, health and community well-being. In 2023, we launched the TELUS Student Bursary, which strives to ensure that every young person in Canada who wants a postsecondary education has the opportunity to pursue one. To date, the program has distributed over $6 million in bursaries to 2,000 students and counting. Since 2000, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed $1.8 billion in cash, in-kind contributions, time and programs, including 2.4 million days of service—earning TELUS the distinction of the world's most giving company.
For more information, visit telus.com or follow @TELUSNews on X and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram.
For more information, please contact:
Camille Finnegan
TELUS Media Relations
[email protected]
SOURCE TELUS Communications Inc.
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