CityWest will credit customers after northwest B.C. outage
Nov 14, 2026 · Summarized by Fundy Tech from 3 sources
CityWest says it will give customers two days of credit after a power failure knocked out internet, TV and phone service in northwest B.C. The outage hit places including Terrace, Kitimat and Prince Rupert.
Key points
- The company says this was its fourth network interruption this year.
The full story
CityWest says it will credit customers for two days of service after a large outage tied to a B.C. Hydro power failure. In an email to customers on Nov. 12, the company said the previous evening’s power failure left large parts of northwest B.C. offline, including Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Gitwangak and the Hazeltons.
The company provides internet, television and home phone service across northwest and northern B.C., including Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii and Vanderhoof. CEO Stefan Woloszyn said, “This was the fourth interruption that we've had to network traffic this year,” and said the credit was the right thing to do because of the inconvenience.
CityWest said the outage lasted several hours before technicians built a temporary bypass to restore service while power was repaired. Customers will see a two-day credit on their next bill and will be offered a free month of streaming TV. The company said future credits will depend on the circumstances of any outage.
The story also points to a wider pattern of disruptions in the region from storms, downed trees, copper theft and other damage. CityWest said it plans a new fibre route along Highway 37 between Dease Lake and Watson Lake to improve reliability in the north.
Why it matters
For households and small businesses in northwest B.C., a service cut can stop work, school and basic communication. Credits may help, but they do not fix the lost time or disruption. The outage also shows how dependent the region is on shared infrastructure.
Who’s affected: CityWest customers in northwest B.C.
What’s next
CityWest says future credits will depend on the circumstances of any outage. The company’s planned fibre route between Dease Lake and Watson Lake is intended to improve reliability.
What to do
- Check your next bill for the credit.
- Ask your provider about outage credits.
- Keep a backup way to reach customers or family.
Original reporting
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