High-speed internet is on the way to more than 4,700 homes and businesses in Pictou County.
The province is investing $10.6 million into the fibre expansion project that will cost about $53 million, with the federal government funding up to $31 million.
Until it’s complete, a fixed wireless service became available in December, as well as a Satellite Internet Service Rebate Program. 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. In November, the program was expanded to accept applications from any resident or business owner who currently does not have access to wired or wireless internet service.
“On behalf of our council, I thank Premier Houston and the trustees of the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust for their significant investment. The residents of rural Pictou County will soon have access, at a reasonable price, to quality high-speed internet. Thanks to sizeable federal and provincial contributions to our high-speed internet project, no individual and no business will be left behind, no matter where they are located in our rural municipality. This will encourage all of our communities to grow in numbers and in prosperity.”
– Robert Parker, Warden, Municipality of Pictou County
— the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative was established in 2018 with an investment of $193 million for the independent Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust
— the Satellite Internet Service Rebate Program is funded through the trust, following a government investment of $8.5 million in 2021-22
— to date, the trust has invested $180.7 million in projects and leveraged another $169.9 million through partnerships
— through projects underway, the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative is on track to reach 98,500 homes and businesses by the end of 2023
–when Pictou County’s independent project is complete, expected in 2025, 99.99 per cent of Nova Scotia homes and businesses will have internet access
More information about the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative is available at: https://internet.buildns.ca
More information on the Pictou County high-speed internet project is available at: https://ruralnet.munpict.ca
Information on the federal government’s Universal Broadband Fund, which is providing funding for the Pictou County project: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/high-speed-internet-canada/en/universal-broadband-fund
