Current Phase
Projects are currently underway that will deliver reliable, high-speed Internet access to 99.99%* of homes and businesses acrosss the province. We believe Nova Scotia will be among the first provinces in Canada to reach this level of coverage.
As of April 2023, more than 81,500 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 94.9% coverage with access to connections continuing to happen 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.
For remaining underserved, the Satellite Internet Service Rebate Program 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.
The program expanded to residents and business owners who are not expected to gain access to wired or wireless internet until after Dec. 31, 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.
Overall, it is anticipated that all 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.
With COVID-19, we worked with our Internet Service Providers to review all current projects with an aim to go faster where possible. Some acceleration efforts took place for first round projects with up to $15M available from the Trust as part of the $193M.
We continue to look at options to advance projects where possible. We also continue to 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.