February 21, 2022: Province Invests in Independent Pictou County High-Speed Internet Project
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The Province has announced investment in support of the Municipality of Pictou County’s independent high-speed internet project on behalf of the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust.
This investment of $10.6 million will help bring new or improved high-speed internet access to more than 4,700 homes and businesses as part of the County’s $53 million fibre expansion project. The County is working to ensure that no areas in Pictou will be underserved by the project’s completion.
“We know the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust shares our commitment in extending high-speed internet access across the province,” said Premier Tim Houston. “The Pictou County Rural Broadband Project is an important part of how we will achieve this together with our partners and we are pleased to support this expansion.”
The Pictou County project is in addition to the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative and the provincial Satellite Internet Service Rebate Program, working to bring new or improved high-speed wireless internet access to as close to 100% of Nova Scotians as possible.
To learn more about the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative, click here.
For more information, visit the Build Nova Scotia website.November 30, 2022: Satellite Program Expands to Ensure Internet for Everyone
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The Satellite Internet Service Rebate program is expanding once again to help more Nova Scotians get access to internet service faster.
Starting today, November 30, the program will accept applications from any resident or business owner who currently does not have access to wired or wireless internet service.
"Our government is committed to extending internet access to every household and business in Nova Scotia," said Economic Development Minister Susan Corkum-Greek. "This program expansion will bridge the gap for those currently without high-speed internet and allow them to gain access sooner as we work to achieve internet for everyone.”
The rebate covers the one-time costs for eligible homes and businesses to set up satellite internet, including hardware, shipping, installation and tax, up to a maximum of $1,000. Previously, the rebate program only applied to homes or businesses where there was no other planned internet service solution or where access to high-speed internet was not expected until 2024 or later.
Nova Scotians interested in the rebate should confirm they are eligible before purchasing satellite equipment. They can do so by visiting https://internet.buildns.ca/satellite and entering their home or business address.
Once people confirm eligibility and purchase the satellite equipment and service, they can submit applications electronically or by mail.
Qualified satellite service providers for the program must meet or exceed the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Committee minimum speed targets of 50 Mbps download / 10 Mbps upload. Currently, only Starlink has indicated it can meet or exceed these speeds, but if other satellite providers can meet these speeds, they may also be included in the program.
Quick Facts:
-- the Satellite Internet Service Rebate program, led by Build Nova Scotia, was announced on July 29 and expanded on August 11
-- the program is funded through the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust, following a government investment of $8.5 million in 2021-22
-- projects previously announced through the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative continue to advance
-- effective December 1, legislation passed this fall will bring together Build Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Lands to form Build Nova Scotia, which will maintain responsibility for the high-speed internet project
Additional Resources:
More information about the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative is available at: https://internet.buildns.ca/
August 11, 2022: Satellite Internet Program Expansion
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The recently announced Satellite Internet Service Rebate program is expanding to help more Nova Scotians get access to internet services faster.
Starting today, August 11, the program will accept applications from residents and business owners who are not expected to gain access to wired or wireless internet until after December 31, 2023. The program expansion is expected to help about 2,200 homes and businesses, in addition to the estimated 3,700 originally announced.
“Our government committed to extending internet access to every household in Nova Scotia and closing the connection gaps,” said Economic Development Minister Susan Corkum-Greek. “This expansion is about levelling the playing field so that Nova Scotians who are the furthest out from gaining access to internet can get connected more quickly.”
The program covers the one-time costs of installing satellite internet for eligible homes or businesses, up to a maximum of $1,000. Previously, the rebate only applied to homes or businesses where there was no other planned internet service solution. The expansion will include areas of Pictou County that were not expected to gain access to high-speed internet until at least 2024.
Nova Scotians interested in the rebate should confirm they are eligible before purchasing satellite equipment. They can do so by visiting https://internet.buildns.ca/satellite and entering their home or business address.
Once people confirm eligibility and purchase the satellite service and equipment, they can submit applications electronically or by mail.
Qualified satellite service providers for the program must meet or exceed the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Committee minimum speed targets of 50 Mbps download / 10 Mbps upload. Currently, only Starlink has indicated it can meet or exceed these speeds, but if other satellite providers can meet these speeds, they may also be included in the program.
Quick Facts:
-- the rebate program, led by Build Nova Scotia, was announced on July 29 and opened to applications on August 2
-- the government invested $8.5 million in the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust for the program in 2021-22
-- legislation will be introduced in the fall to bring together Build Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Lands to form Build Nova Scotia, which will maintain responsibility for the high-speed internet project
Additional Resources:
More information about the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative: https://internet.buildns.ca
Mandate letter of the Minister of Economic Development: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-ED.pdf
July 29, 2022: Province Invests in Satellite Internet
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The government is helping homes and businesses get internet where there is no access to wired or wireless solutions.
The Satellite Internet Service Rebate program announced July 29 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 will be available to about 3,700 homes and businesses for which no other internet service solution has been found.
"As our province continues to grow, important infrastructure like reliable high-speed internet is critical to our success," said Economic Development Minister Susan Corkum-Greek. “We want to foster growth and prosperity across Nova Scotia, and each new internet connection represents fewer barriers, faster business growth and more communities being able to connect.”
The government has invested $8.5 million in the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust for the program, as part of its commitment to extend internet to every household in Nova Scotia.
The program, led by Build Nova Scotia, will open on Tuesday, August 2. Nova Scotians should confirm they are eligible for the rebate before purchasing satellite equipment. They can confirm their eligibility by visiting https://internet.buildns.ca/satellite and entering their home or business address.
Once eligibility has been confirmed and the satellite service and equipment has been purchased, applications can be submitted electronically or by mail by the customer.
Qualified satellite service providers for the program must meet or exceed the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Committee minimum speed targets of 50 Mbps download / 10 Mbps upload. Currently, only Starlink has indicated they can meet or exceed these speeds, but if other satellite providers can meet these speeds, they may also be included in the program.
Quotes:
“New connections are happening daily. Today, approximately 90 per cent of Nova Scotians have access to high-speed internet and projects are underway to reach greater than 99.5 per cent by 2023. This Satellite Internet Service Rebate means we’ll get even closer to 100 per cent coverage of homes and businesses across Nova Scotia, providing infrastructure that removes barriers and provides for delivery of important services and makes important connections for people across Nova Scotia."
- Gordon Stevens, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, Finance, Build Nova Scotia
“The Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative has made great strides in delivering this access to more businesses and households than ever before, and we are excited to see this latest investment help bridge the gap for those in locations still experiencing challenges. I know this investment will have a significant impact in Cape Breton-Unama'ki, where many businesses have remained limited by a lack of a reliable internet service."
- Tyler Mattheis, President and CEO, Cape Breton Partnership
Quick Facts:
-- the Satellite Internet Service Rebate program is an important part of the Economic Development Minister's mandate
-- the Province's investment in the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust is from the 2021-22 budget
-- projects underway through the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative, combined with a municipal-led project, will see more than 99.5 per cent of Nova Scotia’s homes and businesses gain access to high-speed internet by the end of 2023
-- the most feasible solution to achieve internet access for the remaining homes and businesses is through satellite internet, with the goal to reach as close to 100 per cent as possible
-- legislation will be introduced in the fall to bring together Build Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Lands to form Build Nova Scotia, which will maintain responsibility for the high-speed internet project
Additional Resources:
More information about the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative:
https://internet.buildns.ca
Mandate letter of the Minister of Economic Development:
https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-ED.pdf