Program Based:
Q. What is this project?
A. Build Nova Scotia is establishing the Cellular for Nova Scotia Program to expand telecommunications infrastructure and communications networks throughout the province. Through the program, a comprehensive strategy will improve cell coverage for both civic addresses and major roadways. It will involve working collaboratively with all partners in the telecommunications industry and across government.
Q. What is the $47.3M funding that was announced?
A. Government is investing $47.3 million to start the new Cellular
for Nova Scotia Program to expand telecommunications infrastructure and
communications networks throughout the province.
Build Nova Scotia will look to maximize investments from and leverage
key partnerships with the Federal Government, municipalities, and the
private sector.
Q. Why is Build Nova Scotia leading this?
A. One of Build Nova Scotia's priorities is to expand telecommunications infrastructure and enable access to global information and communications networks throughout the province.
The Corporation has successfully led the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative project to bring high-speed internet access to more than 95% of Nova Scotian homes and businesses, now close to 100%.
Q. What are you looking for from this initial RFP?
A. The goal of Cellular for Nova Scotia Program is to develop, as quickly, efficiently, and effectively as possible, a plan that covers as much of the province as soon as practicable. The project will involve a two-phased approach:
- The first phase included a Request for Proposals (RFP), which is now closed, and submissions are under review. As part of this request, service providers were asked to consider submitting proposals that used any existing infrastructure that would help close gaps and improve service in underserved areas. The focus of this round is two-fold: more immediate innovative solutions and speed of delivery.
- The second phase will include an additional RFP to seek solutions to address remaining gap areas, including creating infrastructure.
This will also ensure that the solutions identified are sustainable and are being coordinated with federal and provincial initiatives planned or underway, while ensuring maximum coverage as early as possible. Build Nova Scotia will look to maximize investments from and leverage key partnerships with the Federal Government, municipalities, and the private sector.
Q. How do you know where the gaps are? Why did you commission a cell gap study?
A. In 2022, Build Nova Scotia commissioned a cell gap study on behalf of the Province to study cell service levels and identify critical gaps throughout the province. This study and additional analysis provided a clearer understanding of a common challenge experienced across the country and helped define the scope of the problem. Through ongoing discussions and the RFP process, this will continue to be refined.
Q. What is the current coverage generally/starting point for the program?
• Presently, substantial portions of the province do not have adequate and consistent cellular coverage, posing a significant challenge to public safety, and seamless communication.
The cell gap study assessed coverage, depending on carrier, as follows generally:
- Province-wide geography (46-69%)
- Civic addresses across the province (84-94%); and,
- Primary roads (64-84%)
Q. How are you deciding where to improve cell service? How will you decide what areas get improved access first?
A. To close the gaps in cell coverage as quickly as possible we have issued an initial Request for Proposal (RFP) to the telecommunications industry for Phase 1 - adding cell capacity to existing provincially owned towers and/or other existing towers or infrastructure.
Findings of the study confirm the civic addresses and stretches of roadways that do not have adequate and consistent cell coverage. Filling those gaps will likely involve installing significant amounts of additional telecommunications equipment throughout the province. The strategy will include closing or reducing the underserved areas as quickly as possible. This will involve a two-phased approach:
• The first RFP seeks proposals to install cellular equipment on existing provincially owned towers and other existing towers and/or infrastructure identified by proponents to expand cell coverage in underserved areas.
• The focus of phase 1 (RFP 1) seeks more immediate innovative solutions to improve cellular coverage to underserved locations.
• RFP 2 will follow to seek solutions to address the remaining gap areas.
Q. Will I have access? What will this provide?
A. The strategy will include closing the gaps and reducing the underserved areas as quickly as possible. That said, filling those gaps will involve installing significant amounts of additional telecommunications equipment throughout the province, which will take time.
Build Nova Scotia recognizes that implementation periods will vary with the scope and complexity of the proposed projects. The goal is to have these initial projects substantially completed as soon as possible.
Q. My cell service at home / work/ while I drive is terrible. How do I know those areas will be included?
A. Build Nova Scotia, in collaboration with Service Nova Scotia, has conducted a comprehensive assessment of cellular coverage across the province. This included a cell gap study using a number of sources to determine the gaps in cell service throughout the province, including desktop data analysis and online mapping, complemented by drive surveys. As well, discussions took place with government partners, the telecommunications industry and consultants.
Filling these cell gaps will involve installing significant amounts of additional telecommunications equipment throughout the province. The strategy will include closing or reducing the underserved areas as quickly as possible. This will involve a two-phased approach:
• The first RFP seeks proposals to install cellular equipment on existing provincially owned towers and other existing towers and/or infrastructure identified by proponents to expand cell coverage in underserved areas.
• The focus of phase 1 (RFP 1) is seeking more immediate innovative solutions to improve cellular coverage to underserved locations.
• RFP 2 will follow to seek solutions to address the remaining gap areas.
Q. Why are you using a Request for Proposal (RFP) process?
A. Using a competitive procurement process is important to ensure fairness and transparency in how proposals are evaluated. It encourages both large and small organizations to participate outlining innovative approaches that can be brought to the decision-making process. We also work to leverage funds from the providers and other partners, where possible.
Q. How do you decide where towers may be located?
A. Findings of the study and additional analysis confirm the civic addresses and stretches of roadways that do not have adequate and consistent cell coverage. There are over 21,000 civic addresses with no cellular coverage out of a total 461,000 in the province.
Filling those gaps will involve installing significant amounts of additional telecommunications equipment throughout the province. The strategy will include closing or reducing the underserved areas as quickly as possible. This will involve a two-phased approach:
• The first RFP seeks proposals to install cellular equipment on existing provincially owned towers and other existing towers and/or infrastructure identified by proponents to expand cell coverage in underserved areas.
• The focus of phase 1 (RFP 1) is seeking more immediate innovative solutions to improve cellular coverage to underserved locations.
• RFP 2 will follow to seek solutions to address remaining gap areas.
Site selection of new towers will involve extensive community consultation.
Q. What do you mean by underserved?
A. This includes any civic address or road segment in Nova Scotia not currently capable of access to basic voice cellular service.
Q. What are the coverage expectations?
A. Recognizing the importance of reliable cellular coverage for the
well-being and connectivity of all Nova Scotians and recognizing the
critical role of robust cellular networks in disaster resilience, Build
Nova Scotia has developed a strategy to increase cellular coverage in
Nova Scotia.
Overall, the goal is to achieve the following coverage targets throughout the populated areas of the province:
- 99% coverage for Basic Voice Call service
- 95% coverage for Standard-Definition service (eg. examples include emails, web browsing and social media)
- 85% coverage for High-Definition service (eg. examples include video conferencing, movie streaming, and other data intensive applications)
The initial focus in major transportation corridors and areas with civic addresses.
Q. Is there anything planned to improve communications emergency services in this program?
A. Yes. A separate $3.3 million is being invested to build four new trunked mobile radio 2 (TMR2) towers to expand radio coverage for first responders in West Bay Road/Marble Mountain, Pleasant Bay in Inverness County, Framboise, Richmond County and Greenfield in Queen’s County.
These areas were identified as strategic locations that would play a role in the expansion of rural coverage for the TMR2 Public Safety Radio network.
This could also help improve cell coverage access if telecommunications providers attach their equipment to extend coverage.
Q. What else is the Province currently doing to ensure telecom companies are held accountable for providing reliable cell coverage?
A. Provincial efforts to improve cell service included the Province tabling amendments to the Emergency Management Act and the Emergency 911 Act in October 2022, that require local telecom companies to be prepared in advance of a storm, to take all precautions possible to provide continued phone service during a weather event or other emergency, and to offer communication updates and transparency to customers.
Specifics of these amendments are available here.
The amendments passed last November: Nova Scotia Legislature - Bill
198 - Emergency "911" Act (amended) and Emergency Management Act
(amended) - RA (nslegislature.ca)
The Province continues to work closely with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) which is the regulator of the telecommunications sector.
From the perspective of Nova Scotia, there are several critical
actions that need to be taken at the national level, involving the CRTC and telecommunications firms, to enhance cellular regulations and
improve the telecommunications landscape, including:
• Strengthening accountability for telecoms around ensuring 9-1-1 is continuously and universally available when people need it, and
• Addressing market failure of telecoms.
Funding:
Q. What is the $47.3M funding that was announced?
A. Government is investing $47.3M to start the new Cellular for Nova Scotia Program to expand telecommunications infrastructure and communications networks throughout the province.
This investment is based on an initial understanding/analysis of the anticipated cost however responses to the RFPs will better determine exact costs.
Build Nova Scotia will look to maximize investments from and leverage key partnerships with the Federal Government, municipalities, and the private sector.
Q. What is the $3.3M funding that was announced?
A. $3.3M is being invested to build four new trunked mobile radio 2 (TMR2) towers to expand radio coverage for first responders in West Bay Road/Marble Mountain, Pleasant Bay in Inverness County, Framboise, Richmond County and Greenfield in Queen’s County.
These areas were identified as strategic locations that would play a role in the expansion of rural coverage for the TMR2 Public Safety radio network.
This could also help improve cell coverage access if telecommunications providers attach their equipment to extend coverage.
Q. Are you working with the Federal government on potential funding/initiatives etc. as well?
A. We are working to ensure that solutions identified are sustainable and are being done in conjunction with any federal initiatives planned or underway.
Multi-year funding would leverage private and federal funding for approved initiatives. The Province will explore the opportunity to offset its investment by leveraging private and federal funds for approved projects.
Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative:
Q. Is there a connection to the Internet project?
A. We believe that through the provincial Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative, the extension of fibre networks further into communities helps to improve the business case for cell providers to provide improved cell service across the province, where possible.
Q. Do you need to finish this project before a cell project starts?
A. No, it does not need to finish up in advance.
Additional Resources/Points:
Q. How can I get more information?
A. We will continue to update our project site as information and next steps become available.