Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative
Where We Are
The Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative is nearing completion. The majority of projects are now complete and the small number of remaining project areas are underway to deliver reliable, high-speed Internet access to close to 100%* of homes and businesses across the province. We believe Nova Scotia is among the first provinces or territories in Canada to reach this level of coverage.
The initiative has well exceeded its original target of 95%. To date, more than 103,000 homes and businesses have access to high-speed internet through the project. This has been achieved through a mix of technologies - fibre/wired, fixed wireless, and the satellite rebate option - with a mix of qualified service providers. Some additional addresses were added as projects progressed.
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.
In November, 2022, the Satellite Internet Service Rebate Program expanded to additional homes and businesses that don’t have access to high-speed internet. This includes those in a current project area, not yet complete. The rebate currently remains available, and covers the one-time costs for eligible homes and businesses to set-up satellite internet from a qualified provider, including hardware, taxes, shipping, and installation, up to a maximum of $1,000.
The rebate also 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 $185.8M, leveraging an additional $196.9M from other funders, which includes $146M 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.
Visit our FAQ page for more information.
Project Zones
For more information on projects in your community, select your region below. Or enter your community name or the first three digits of your postal code in the search bar.
Select a project zone from the map for more information.
List of zones
Western NS (Zone 1)
| Annapolis / Hants (Zone 3)
| Shelburne / Barrington (Zone 2) COMPLETE
| 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) Complete
| CBRM (Zone 11)
Note: The names of our Internet zones don’t necessarily represent the counties they fall within.
What is the current update including timelines?
Excellent progress has been made as the original goal of 95% coverage has been surpassed. With the Satellite Internet Service Rebate, access is available to close to 100% of Nova Scotians.
Most projects are complete or substantially complete with final projects continuing to advance. These remaining areas are often more geographically challenging, requiring additional make ready work such as pole inspection/replacements, additional tree trimming and permits to access areas – such items can vary and take additional time for all of the pieces to come together. 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 challenges in the project delivery wherever possible.
Project pages will be updated to reflect project changes, main reasons for any shifts, and periodic information as the remaining projects progress.
What is the coverage to date?
The Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative has met, and well exceeded, the original goal to bring high-speed internet to 95% of underserved homes and businesses.
When the initiative started, there were approximately 103,000 underserved locations across the province with some additional locations added throughout the project cycle. To date, more than 103,000 have access either through land-based Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative projects or the Satellite Internet Service Rebate Program. Close to 100% have access to connections via projects and the satellite option.
Here is a snapshot look at where we are.
- Approximately 103,000 underserved locations were identified at the project start with some additional locations added throughout the project cycle.
- More than 103,000 homes and businesses have access to date. Some additional addresses were added as projects progressed.
- There were approximately 980 remaining underserved locations at the beginning of 2025.
- As of March 2026, approximately 690 civic addresses remain to get access. These final few projects are in more challenging areas geographically and from an infrastructure perspective.
- Locations that can't be reached via a feasible land-based technology would have high-speed satellite (currently Starlink) as their option. The Satellite Rebate Program provides an interim option for those in a current project area.
Individual addresses often have access before the full project area is complete.
What are the steps to complete a fibre/wired project?
The steps to complete a fibre/wired project include-
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Milestone 1 – Network transport, edge and power planning, field scoping, detailed designs, work order issuance, equipment procurement.
Milestone 2 – Make ready activities (tree trimming, pole replacement, etc.) and any permits that need to be secured to construct the fibre.
Milestone 3 – Fibre installation, equipment placement, fibre splicing, core network installation and final testing before being released to sales.
Milestone 4 (Service Ready for Nova Scotians) – Uploading customer records into service qualification database, all final work, service launch.
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. Our project pages will also be updated with address lists to date, as provided by Bell.
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 (now with Rogers):
Visit the Seaside 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.