project brief
EAUFON Cable System
category
client
Kativik Regional Government (KRG)
start date
September 2016
end date
November 2019
location
Nunavut, Nunatsiavut (Eastern Arctic, Canada)
the challenge
KRG needed a thorough feasibility study and route survey for the Eastern Arctic Undersea Fibre Optic Network (EAUFON) to connect 24 Inuit and non-Inuit communities across northern Quebec and Labrador. Situated in one of Canada’s most isolated and environmentally sensitive regions, the project demanded careful balancing of technical planning, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement amidst harsh Arctic conditions.
WFN Strategies was tasked with designing feasible cable routes, assessing marine and seabed hazards, and mapping optimal landing points. We had to execute detailed field surveys during limited open-water seasons, managing logistics, safety, and Inuit community liaison. Regulatory coordination with regional and federal authorities was essential to ensure the route design supported sustainable, respectful infrastructure development in this culturally significant landscape.
project goals
the result
WFN delivered a comprehensive feasibility report integrating route analysis, hazard identification, landing design, and turnkey budget modeling for Arctic-scale deployment. Our survey findings laid the groundwork for future detailed engineering, procurement, and construction phases.
The project marked a critical step toward high-capacity fiber connectivity for 24 Canadian Arctic communities—unlocking new opportunities in telehealth, education, and economic development. WFN’s role reinforced our reputation as a leader in delivering submarine telecommunications solutions in the world’s most remote and challenging environments.
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