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 acrosss the province. This includes a municipal led project in Pictou County. We believe Nova Scotia will be among the first provinces in Canada to reach this level of coverage.
As of Feb. 2023, more than 79,000 homes and businesses have access either through traditional Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative projects or the Satellite Internet Rebate Program uptake to date – @94.3% coverage. Access to connections happens daily.
Approximately 102,000 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 Nov. 30, 2022, the Satellite Internet Service Rebate Program will expand 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 $164.7M, leveraging an additional $137.5M from other funders, including $118.5M 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.
Overall, it is anticipated homes and businesses as part of the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative will have access to improved network by the end of or before 2023. We fully expect that these projects will continue to be completed in stages (as some are complete or nearing completion for example) and many will be done prior to the end of 2023.
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.
I'm in a project area. What happens when the project is complete?
Bell:
As projects are complete or nearing completion, Bell has indicated they plan to reach out to customers by phone, door knockers and door-to-door (COVID permitting) as that is available. Local retailers will also share information once they know locations covered. Residents can check availability here. This is updated as Bell enters information and addresses into their system once work is complete and access to connections available.
Branches/call centres may not have this information until a location is complete or nearing completion. They can then provide more information on pricing, options etc. at that time.
Eastlink:
Visit the Eastlink contact site here.
Cross Country:
Visit the Cross Country site to check on their service area section here. You can also contact them through the site with specific questions and ask to sign up for notifications.
Mainland Telecommunications:
Visit their Support section here.
Seaside Communications:
Visit theSeaside Communications Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative page here. This page outlines the various project areas, and anticipated timelines. A Contact section is also available.
Xplore (previously Xplornet):
Xplore updates overall plan availability options on their website to include coverage for all towers as available and fibre options. You can visit contact them here or you can call 1-877-959-5717 to learn more about availability etc. They can also add you to an update list if service isn’t currently available at this time.
They’ve come to do work in our area (trim trees, run cable etc.) but haven’t been back?
To help projects stay on track, crews may move from project area to project area depending on what work can be completed or advanced at the time in a certain area.
What is make-ready work and why does that impact some estimated completion dates?
When a project area is announced, the provider still needs to do some detailed site and engineering work. This helps refine the footprint so more detail around street and address level detail can be provided.
Part of the project work is make-ready work. This can include tree trimming, pole inspections, pole replacements with new poles, and water and road/railway crossing permits. The level of work can vary and providers also work with other levels of government and private sector on these items. We continue to work with partners to speed up regulatory approvals and optimize coordination among all of the partners.
Am I getting fibre?
All solutions delivered through this initiative must meet or exceed minimum speed targets. The majority of projects are fibre or coax directly to the home, but not all. Speeds can be delivered through a variety of technologies, including fibre/coaxial, signal off a tower, or satellite -- and all are considered in terms of solutions for those remaining.