• Bell has withdrawn from the Labrador North Wireless Broadband Project due to a 340% cost increase since 2021.
• The project, initially budgeted at $22 million, has seen its costs rise to $110 million, making it financially unfeasible for Bell.
• The withdrawal represents a significant setback for the six remote communities in Northern Labrador that were expecting improved internet and cell service.

Bell has decided to discontinue its involvement in the Labrador North Wireless Broadband Project, an initiative aimed at providing high-speed internet and cell service to six remote communities along Labrador's north coast. The decision stems from a dramatic increase in project costs, which have risen from an initial $22 million to $110 million. This 340% surge in expenses has rendered the project unsustainable for Bell, leading to its withdrawal and leaving the affected communities facing continued challenges in accessing reliable internet services.

• What: Bell has pulled out of the Labrador North Wireless Broadband Project due to a significant increase in costs.
• Who: Bell, Nunatsiavut Government, Mushuau Innu First Nation, David Dicker Jr., Chief John Nui, Geoff Higdon.
• When: Project announced in 2022, withdrawal announced in 2024, cost increase cited since 2021.
• Where: Six remote communities along Labrador's north coast, including Nain and Natuashish.

Bell's withdrawal from the Labrador North Wireless Broadband Project highlights the challenges of providing internet infrastructure to remote and geographically difficult areas. The massive cost increase, attributed to challenging geography and logistical hurdles, made the project financially unviable for Bell. This decision leaves the affected communities in Northern Labrador facing continued difficulties in accessing reliable internet, which is considered essential for modern life. Alternative solutions, such as satellite-based internet from companies like SpaceX's Starlink, may now be considered a more realistic path forward despite their own limitations.

This is a significant setback. Reliable internet isn’t a luxury—it’s essential.

We’ve been waiting years. It’s dead in the water now.

Due to unsustainable cost increases … and significant logistical hurdles presented by the challenging geography, Bell has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the planned fixed wireless network project

Bell's departure from the Labrador North Wireless Broadband Project is a significant setback for the affected communities, underscoring the difficulties of providing internet access to remote regions. While the project's increasing costs made it unsustainable for Bell, the need for reliable internet in these communities remains critical. Alternative solutions, such as satellite-based internet, may offer a viable path forward, but further investment and innovative approaches are needed to bridge the digital divide in Northern Labrador.