Those living in Lax Kw'alaams will experience faster Internet access in the future.
Band-owned Rose Island Ventures, which supplies television and Internet to Lax Kw'alaams, recently presented council with a proposal to supply fibre optic access to the community, which they approved.
The Lax Kw'alaams Band will spend $290,000 to upgrade its Internet to fibre optic, with $150,000 coming from the Band Trust Fund and $140,000 coming from Band funds.
Lax Kw'alaams Mayor Garry Reece did not immediately return requests for comment by the Northern View on when the upgrading work will begin, when residents will be able to use the new system, if people will notice an increase in their bills or what a $120,000 grant the Band has secured in addition to their own contribution will be used for.
Lax Kw'alaams had dial-up Internet access until the Band worked to get high-speed (10Mbps) Internet. Subsequently the Band was successful in reaching 30Mbps Internet which required a lot of negotiating with Telus and a large upgrade to the community's equipment and infrastructure.