BCNET completed a significant upgrade to its optical network in 2008, greatly expanding its capacity and the possibilities for advanced research and collaboration in BC.

The upgraded capacity is supplying 72 wavelengths each capable of transferring data of 10 gigabits per second and spans spans Western Canada including Calgary, Kelowna, Kamloops, Vancouver, Prince George, Victoria and extends into Seattle. It encompasses over 1400 km of BCNET, CANARIE and Bell owned fibre.

In 2009, BCNET completed a 10 Gbps core network upgrade to improve the network infrastructure. The installation and configuration of Juniper Routers was completed at the Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Kamloops and Prince George Transit Exchange sites.

The routers reduce the total amount of hardware deployed, which helps to decrease energy and operational costs by simplifying the complexity of supporting a rapidly growing network.