Nunavut Fibre Optic Feasibility Study
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Nunavut Fibre Optic Feasibility Study Prepared for the Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation (NBDC) March, 2012 Nunavut Fibre Optic Feasibility Study March, 2012 Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary …………………………………………………………………………………….. 6 2. Objectives of the Feasibility Study……………………………………………………………….. 13 3. Team Members ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14 4. Review of Alternative Fibre Technologies …………………………………………………… 15 a. Current Marine Fibre Optic Technologies b. Technical Challenges in Nunavut c. Risk Mitigation Strategies 5. Existing and Planned Northern Fibre Optic Networks …………………………………… 31 a. Expansion Initiatives up to 2020 6. Possible Landing Points…………………………………………………………………………………. 40 7. Review of Possible Fibre Optic Network Configurations for Nunavut …………… 43 a. Proposed Architecture for Fibre Optic Connection for all of the communities in Nunavut b. Proposed Architecture for Fibre Optic Connection to Regional Centres in Nunavut with an extension to Resolute Bay c. Long Term Pan Arctic Fibre Optic Network Architecture Proposal (including connection to Nunavik communities) 8. Preliminary Risk Analysis Considerations ……………………………………………………… 50 9. Review of Alternative Technologies………………………………………………………………. 53 a. Evolving Satellite Systems b. Digital Microwave Radio 10. Mixed Telecommunications Networks ……………………………………………………….. 56 11. Impact on Service Parity and Socioeconomic Considerations………………………… 57 12. Review of Private Public Partnership Alternatives and Financing Options…….. 62 13. Proposed Next Steps ……………………………………………………………………………………. 65 Salter Global Consulting INC. Page 1 of 67 Nunavut Fibre Optic Feasibility Study March, 2012 List of Figures 1. 2012 Submarine Cable Map…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15 2. Fibre Optic Cable Armouring……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 17 3. Fibre Optic Terminal Equipment………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18 4. Undersea Splice and Repeater Housings………………………………………………………………………………….. 19 5. Branching Unit Architecture…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 19 6. Branching Unit Installation………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 19 7. Horizontal Drill Rig…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20 8. Underwater Cable Plow…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20 9. Hydrographic Survey Schematic………………………………………………………………………………………………. 21 10. Typical Fibre Cable Installation………………………………………………………………………………………………… 21 11. Environment Canada Map of Designated Habitat Areas in Nunavut………………………………………… 26 12. Parks Canada Map of Proposed National Maritime Conservation Area in Lancaster Sound…….. 26 13. History of Causes of Fibre Marine Cable Breaks (up to 2009)…………………………………………………… 27 14. Global Pattern of External Marine Fibre Cable Breaks……………………………………………………………… 27 15. Repair of an Undersea Cable Fault…………………………………………………………………………………………… 29 16. Map of Fibre Links in Yukon and NWT……………………………………………………………………………………… 31 17. TELE Greenland’s Existing Fibre Optic Network………………………………………………………………………… 32 18. “Alaska United” Fibre Ring Network………………………………………………………………………………………… 32 19. Proposed Route of the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link MVFL)……………………………………………………… 34 20. Arctic Link’s proposed Northern Route……………………………………………………………………………………. 34 21. Arctic Link’s Proposed Southern Route……………………………………………………………………………………. 35 22. NorthwesTel, Possible Connection to Arctic Link System………………………………………………………… 35 23. NorthwesTel, Northern “Festoon” Network Architecture………………………………………………………. 36 24. NorthwesTel, Southern “Festoon” Network Architecture………………………………………………………. 36 25. Arctic Fibre, Proposed System Routing…………………………………………………………………………………… 37 26. Phase 1 of Arctic Fibre Proposal……………………………………………………………………………………………… 37 27. Arctic Fibre’s Primary and Secondary Canadian Networks……………………………………………………… 38 28. Proposed Russian Fibre Optic Network…………………………………………………………………………………… 39 29. TELE Greenland Domestic Expansion Plans……………………………………………………………………………… 39 30. Proposal for Iqaluit Landing Point……………………………………………………………………………………………. 40 31. Proposal for Rankin Inlet Landing Point ………………………………………………………………………………….. 41 32. Proposal for Cambridge Bay Landing Point………………………………………………………………………………. 42 33. Proposal for Resolute Bay Landing Point………………………………………………………………………………….. 42 34. Proposed Network Schematic “Ring” Architecture for Nunavut……………………………………………….. 44 35. Proposed Network Map of “Ring” Architecture for Nunavut……………………………………………………. 45 36. Long Term Pan Arctic Proposed Network Architecture…………………………………………………………… 48 37. Risk “Heat Map”………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 51 38. Public Private Partnership (PPP) Model Alternatives……………………………………………………………….. 63 39. Schematic of a “Condominium” PPP Model……………………………………………………………………………… 64 Salter Global Consulting INC. Page 2 of 67 Nunavut Fibre Optic Feasibility Study March, 2012 Acknowledgements, Attributions and References Front Cover………………………………………………………….. United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Report – Submarine Cables and the Oceans, Connecting the World, December 2009. Figure 1 ……………………………………………………………….. TelgeGeogrphy (a Division of PriMetrica Inc.). Figure 2, 4, 9 10, 13 and 14………………………………….. United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Report – Submarine Cables and the Oceans, Connecting the World, December 2009. Figure 3……………………………………………………………….. Fujitsu Canada. Figure 11……………………………………………………………… Environment Canada, Government of Canada. Figure 12……………………………………………………………… Parks Canada, Government of Canada. Figure 15 ……………………………………………………………… APAC Submarine Cable System – Presentation to North America Network operators Group, 2011, Denver. Figure 16……………………………………………………………… Derived from NorthwesTel Presentation to NWT Chamber of Commerce and NWTel press releases. Figure 17 and 28…………………………………………………… Greenland Connect, Tele Greenland International A/S. Figure 18………………………………………………………………. Alaska United, Fibre Optic Cable System. Figure 19………………………………………………………………. Government of Northwest Territories. Figures 20 and 21………………………………………………….. Arctic Cable Company, LLC, Anchorage, Alaska. Figures 22, 23 and 24…………………………………………….. Pacific Northwest Economic Region, Arctic Caucus, August, 2011 – Presentation by NorthwesTel. Figures 25, 26 and 27……………………………………………. Arctic Fibre, Presentation to Pacific telecommunications Council, January, 2012 and Northern Lights Presentation, March 2012. Figure 28 JSC "Polarnet Project." Figures 30, 31, 32 and 33……………………………………… Canadian Hydrographic Service - These images have been produced by Ledcor Technical Services based on Canadian Hydrographic Service Charts and/or Data, pursuant to CHS Direct User Licence No. 2012-0120-1260-L. The incorporation of data sourced from CHS in this product shall not be construed as constituting an endorsement by CHS of this product. This product does not meet the requirements of the Charts and Nautical Publications Regulations under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. Official charts and publications, corrected and up-to-date, must be used to meet the requirements of those regulations. Figure 34…………………………………………………………….. Ledcor (Infrastructure Services Division). Figures 35 and 36……………………………………………….. Google, with specific proposed fibre optic network information from Ledcor. Figure 38…………………………………………………………….. The Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships. Table 1……………………………………………………………….. Subcom Table 2………………………………………………………………… Ledcor Infrastructure Services Division Table 3………………………………………………………………… Telesat Salter Global Consulting INC. Page 3 of 67 Nunavut Fibre Optic Feasibility Study March, 2012 List of Tables 1. Typical Cable Installation Depths………………………………………………………………… 17 2. Rough Order of Magnitude Cost Estimate for Baseline Nunavut Network….. 47 3. Evolution of Broadband via Satellite…………………………………………………………… 54 Salter Global Consulting INC. Page 4 of 67 Nunavut Fibre Optic Feasibility Study March, 2012 List of Attachments 1. Results of the Feasibility Study in Presentation Format 2. Feasibility Study Technical Report (Ledcor, Infrastructure Services) 3. Feasibility Study Socioeconomic Report (Imaituk Inc.) 4. Treasury Board Project Complexity and Risk Assessment Tool (Government of Canada) Salter Global Consulting INC. Page 5 of 67 Nunavut Fibre Optic Feasibility Study March, 2012 Section 1 - Executive Summary This Nunavut Fibre Optic Feasibility Study report was commissioned by the Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation (NBDC) and subsequently executed by QINIQ INC (on behalf of NBDC) and Salter Global Consulting INC (SGC). In turn, SGC engaged Ledcor Infrastructure Services and Imaituk Inc. as sub contractors. The principal requirements of the study were: 1. To review current and anticipated fibre optic technologies and make recommendations for suitable deployment in Nunavut. 2. Review the status of arctic fibre network infrastructure, including proposed expansion initiatives up to 2020. 3. Review a minimum of 3 possible landing points in Nunavut. 4. To review the possible impact of fibre systems on service parity in Nunavut. This review is also to include the socioeconomic impact of a mixed telecommunications network in Nunavut, including possible overland distribution alternatives. 5. Provide recommendations for initiating and financing a fibre network in Nunavut, including Private Public Partnership (PPP, P3) alternatives. Review of Fibre Optic Technologies From a strictly technical point of view, the report concludes that existing fibre optic technologies (with some modifications to adapt to northern environments and local conditions) would permit the installation