The CIB and partners to invest in $190 million expansion of high-speed internet to underserved rural communities in Saskatchewan
TORONTO – The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), RFNow Inc. (RFNow) and CVC DIF (DIF Capital Partners) are investing in a $190 million project to expand high-speed internet service in rural Saskatchewan.
Under the terms of the agreement, the CIB is loaning $34.5 million to RFNow, which will be responsible for all aspects of construction, installation, operations and maintenance of the new broadband service, in rural and Indigenous communities.
The project involves deployment of 2,774 kilometres of fibreoptic cable, allowing high-speed internet access to 7,350 underserved households with dedicated fibre-to-the-home in rural municipalities, including five First Nations communities.
Reliable broadband access is critical for Canadians. It enables businesses to succeed, students to learn, and communities to thrive, while helping people stay connected to the people and services that matter most.
The CIB’s financing solutions allow broadband connectivity to expand at a quicker pace while enabling Indigenous and rural customers to benefit from the same services as urban counterparts.
Due to the low population density and current lack of broadband infrastructure in rural areas, the cost of connection per household is very high. The CIB’s financing rates allow broadband connectivity to expand in unserved and underserved communities at a quicker pace at more affordable rates to Indigenous and rural customers.
The project will also include last-mile infrastructure with underground fibre cables and networking equipment. The service will offer broadband speeds up to 1 gigabit per second, enhancing telecommunications services for residents, businesses and public service delivery.
During the construction phase, up to 200 jobs will be created with an additional 52 permanent jobs within RFNow. This investment partnership represents the third collaboration between the CIB and CVC DIF to expand high-speed internet service in Western Canada.
Broadband connectivity is essential for Canadians to learn, build businesses and stay connected. By supporting this expansion of fibre‑to‑the‑home, high-speed internet service in municipalities and Indigenous communities, we are helping close long‑standing access to service gaps across rural Saskatchewan.
In many rural and remote areas, these projects face a number of financial and structural barriers. Federal tools like the Canada Infrastructure Bank help bridge that gap, ensuring critical infrastructure is built where it otherwise would not. By supporting initiatives like this, we are advancing economic growth today and helping close the connectivity gap for underserved communities well into the future.
High-speed Internet is no longer a luxury—it’s essential infrastructure, no matter where you live in Canada. It’s how people access health care virtually, start a business or just stay in touch with their loved ones. That’s why we made a historic commitment to provide 100% of Canadian households with access to high-speed Internet by 2030. This project brings us one step closer to achieving that goal and represents a major milestone for connectivity in rural communities across Saskatchewan.
At RFNOW, we believe that reliable, high-speed internet is a fundamental service that every Canadian deserves—regardless of geography. This partnership with the CIB allows us to bring transformative connectivity to thousands of underserved and First Nations communities across rural Saskatchewan. We’re proud to lead the construction and delivery of this vital infrastructure, which will empower residents, businesses, and public services with the tools they need to thrive in a digital world.
