A key lesson from the Maui wildfires has emerged: resilient telecom networks are crucial when disaster strikes. And companies and regulators in other jurisdictions, including Canada, are taking note amid growing wildfire activity in remote regions.
As wind-driven wildfires broke out on the Hawaiian island of Maui last summer, killing more than 100 people and destroying thousands of buildings, a telecommunications blackout kept many residents in the dark.
Companies and regulators in other jurisdictions, including Canada, are taking note amid growing wildfire activity in remote regions. "The truth is that no network is flawless. Canada has some of the highest quality networks in the world, but it's an impossible task to predict and prevent every potential failure," said CRTC vice-chairperson Adam Scott during a speech at a recent industry event in Toronto, hosted by the Ivey Business School.
"Every minute matters," said Aaron Pawlick, manager of strategic initiatives and innovation for BC Wildfire Service, in an interview. Rogers has teamed up with SpaceX and Lynk Global to deliver satellite-to-phone connectivity, while New Brunswick-based rural internet provider Xplore Inc. committed to offering satellite internet in remote locations last fall after the launch of the Jupiter 3 satellite into space.
"Fibre is king," said Phil Moore, Telus' vice-president of emergency response, during a presentation at last month's Ivey Business School event.
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