Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative
Where We Are
Projects are currently underway that will deliver reliable, high-speed Internet access to 99.99%* of homes and businesses across the province. We believe Nova Scotia will be among the first provinces in Canada to reach this level of coverage.
As of November 2023, approximately 89,400 homes and businesses have been connected through the initiative since it was established in 2018 and have access either through traditional Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative projects or the Satellite Internet Service Rebate Program. To date, we have 97% coverage with access to connections continuing to happen regularly.
Approximately 103,000 homes and businesses were identified as underserved when the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative project started. This means approximately 75% had access at that time.
As of November 30, 2022, the Satellite Internet Service Rebate Program expanded to additional homes and businesses that currently don’t have access to high-speed internet. This includes those in a current project area, not yet complete. It will cover the one-time costs for eligible homes and businesses to set-up satellite internet, including hardware, taxes, shipping and installation, up to a maximum of $1,000.
The rebate remains available to the approximate 3,700 homes and businesses for which no feasible wired or wireless internet solution has been found as well as addresses previously identified as not receiving high-speed access until after the end of 2023.
To date, the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust has approved a total of $184.9M, leveraging an additional $189.7M from other funders, including $138.8M from the private sector. The province invested an additional $8.5M for the satellite rebate program, through the Trust.
All projects approved to date for funding by the Trust provide at least target speeds required by the CRTC (50 Mbps down/10 Mbps up for wired, 25 Mbps down/5 Mbps up for wireless, with a demonstrated plan to reach 50 Mbps). Many are greatly exceeding these speeds.
*Assumes completion of Pictou County’s independent project. Reflects knowledge there may be some premises that cannot be reached overall.
While many projects are complete or substantially complete, the completion of some project areas has moved into 2024.
We continue to look at options to advance projects where possible and work to eliminate red tape, speed-up regulatory approvals and ensure better coordination among all of the people working to bring service to your doors.
We are committed to providing access to as close to 100% of Nova Scotian homes and businesses as possible.
Project Zones
For more information on projects in your community, select your region below. Click here for a full version of our zoning map for this project. Or enter your community name in the search bar.
List of zones
Western NS (Zone 1)
| Annapolis / Hants (Zone 3)
| Shelburne / Barrington (Zone 2)
| South Shore (Zone 4)
| Cumberland / Colchester (Zones 5 & 6)
| Pictou (Zone 8)
| HRM / Eastern Shore (Zone 7)
| Eastern Strait/Guysborough (Zone 9)
| Rural Cape Breton (Zone 10)
| CBRM (Zone 11)
Note: The names of our Internet zones don’t necessarily represent the counties they fall within.
Where is the overall project at now?
When the project started, there were approximately 103,000 underserved locations across the province. As of November 2023, 89,400 homes and businesses have been connected. There is 96.8% coverage with access to connections continuing to happen regularly. With the Satellite Internet Service Rebate Program, access is available to close to 100%.
The Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative has met, and exceeded, the original goal to bring high-speed internet to 95% of underserved homes and businesses. To date, we have close to 97% coverage with access to connections continuing to happen regularly. With the Satellite Internet Service Rebate Program, access is available to close to 100% of Nova Scotians.
Why are there project delays? I thought this was supposed to be complete the end of 2023?
The original anticipated completion timeline for the overall high-speed internet project was the end of 2023.
Good progress has been made and the original goal of 95% has been surpassed. To date, we have close to 97% coverage with access to connections continuing to happen regularly. With the Satellite Internet Service Rebate Program, access is available to close to 100% of Nova Scotians.
While many projects are complete or substantially complete, the completion of some project areas has moved into 2024.
These are large scale projects. The types and volume of make ready work required for project areas can vary and it can take additional time for all of the pieces to come together. We are working closely with our partners at Bell, Eastlink, and Nova Scotia Power to minimize impacts.
There have been added challenges that impacted some of these projects. Post-Fiona restoration efforts resulted in temporary shifts of resources by providers and partners from the overall project. This event, and more recent damage related to floodings, hurricanes and wildfires, required resources to be redirected, and further impacted required make-ready work.
Make ready work can include such items as pole inspection/replacements, additional tree trimming and permits to access areas. There are also seasonal impacts such as weight restrictions on some roads and woodpeckers that damage poles.
Build Nova Scotia continues to work closely with all partners to mitigate issues in the project delivery where ever possible.
What delays are happening?
The project delays are related to certain Bell and Eastlink projects.
As of early December 2023, overall, Bell is progressing well with 69 projects complete or substantially complete and 16 more projects will be completed by the end of 2023 (estimated 59,000 civics overall to date). Thirty five projects (10,481 civic addresses) are impacted by this delay, and are expected to be completed in 2024.
With respect to Eastlink projects, these are smaller pockets. Currently, they are progressing with 8 projects complete or expected to complete by the end of 2023 (estimated 70 civics overall to date). Twenty projects (222 civic addresses) are moving into 2024.
Project pages will be updated to reflect project changes, main reasons for any delays, and periodic information as they progress.
How long are the delays?
Here is a snapshot look at where we are as of early December 2023.
- Approximately 103,000 underserved locations were identified at the project start
- 89,278 have been connected to date
- 13,722 remaining underserved locations at end of 2023
- 10,703 to be connected in 2024
- Remaining civics would have StarLink as their option
Updated 2024 Numbers
Here is a general breakdown as of early December 2023–
- January-March– 7 projects (@1114)
- April-June – 11 projects (@4304)
- July-September – 20 projects (@1979)
- October-December – 17 projects (@3307)
Addresses in some of these project areas already have access and the three month windows are anticipated for the overall project area. Approximately 10% of homes and businesses remain in terms of gaining access to fibre/wired service through announced projects.