Ucluelet: A Safe Harbour for Connectivity
Ucluelet, located on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, is a district municipality whose name originates from the Nuu-chah-nulth word "Yuułuʔił," meaning "people of the safe harbour." Known for its stunning natural beauty and proximity to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Ucluelet is also carving out a role in Canada's digital infrastructure with the landing of the
Connected Coast submarine cable.
Connected Coast: Stitching Together Remote Communities
The Connected Coast cable, set to become operational in 2024, is the sole submarine cable landing in Ucluelet. This cable is part of a broader initiative to connect remote and underserved communities along British Columbia's coastline. It links Ucluelet to 107 other landing points, including Addenbroke Island,
Bamfield, Bella Bella, and Campbell River. Unlike international cables that traverse oceans to connect countries, Connected Coast is a domestic cable focused entirely on improving regional connectivity within Canada.
For Ucluelet, this represents an important step toward integrating the town into a larger digital network. While Ucluelet is not isolated in the traditional sense, its location on Vancouver Island means that reliable connectivity is essential for everything from tourism to local businesses. The cable provides a direct link to regional hubs like Vancouver and Prince Rupert, which host multiple cables and act as gateways to national and international networks.
Latency: Measuring Ucluelet's Connection Speed
GeoCables' monitoring has recorded 21 latency checks to Ucluelet from nine source cities, with an average round-trip latency of 141 milliseconds and a best-observed latency of 104 milliseconds. These numbers reflect the efficiency of the Connected Coast cable in bridging the distance between Ucluelet and other parts of Canada. While not the fastest connection in the country, it is more than sufficient to support local needs, including internet access, cloud services, and digital communication.
Ucluelet's Role in Canada's Cable Network
Canada hosts 21 submarine cables across 155 landing points, with Ucluelet ranking in the top 97% by cable count. Though it has only one cable, the Connected Coast initiative positions Ucluelet as a key link in a chain that stitches together British Columbia's coastal communities. This contrasts with larger hubs like Vancouver, which hosts two cables and serves as a major node in Canada's national and international connectivity.
A Future of Digital Opportunity
As Ucluelet continues to grow-its population increased by over 20% between 2016 and 2021-the arrival of the Connected Coast cable will help meet the demands of a more connected world. Whether it's supporting local businesses that rely on digital tools, enabling remote work opportunities, or enhancing the visitor experience in this picturesque town, the cable ensures that Ucluelet remains a safe harbour not just for ships, but for data as well.