Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative
Where We Are
Connection matters. Delivering Internet for Nova Scotians is a priority and we’re making good progress. With projects* announced to date, approximately 60,000* of 92,500 homes and businesses now have access to connections, with more happening daily. We're not done yet.
Since the first Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative projects were announced in February 2020, approximately 60,000** of approximately 92,500 homes and businesses that are part of our agreements with providers now have the network in place to provide new or improved high-speed internet. Providers are working to connect the rest as quickly as possible. Through our work, we identified additional underserved and have captured those where possible, bringing us to approximately 102,000 total underserved across the province. There are approximately 4,000 remaining underserved homes and businesses - 1,000 of these have no commercial power. We're working with qualified providers, with a variety of technologies, including satellite, on potential solutions. Work will continue in an effort to reach as close to 100% of homes and businesses as possible.
Includes municipal-led Pictou County project, previous independent Annapolis County project (now Xplornet) and independent Bell Wireless project.
* As of May 2022
Project Zones
For more information on projects in your community, select your region below. Click here for a full version of our zoning map for this project. Or enter your community name in the search bar.
List of zones
Western NS (Zone 1)
| Annapolis / Hants (Zone 3)
| Shelburne / Barrington (Zone 2)
| 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)
| CBRM (Zone 11)
Note: The names of our Internet zones don’t necessarily represent the counties they fall within.
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.
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.
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:
Visit theSeaside Communications Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative page here. This page outlines the various project areas, and anticipated timelines. A Contact section is also available.
Xplornet:
Xplornet has updated plan availability options on their website to include coverage. Visit here to see what's available in your area or call them at 1-877-969-3152 to learn more.
They’ve come to do work in our area (trim trees, run cable etc.) but haven’t been back?
To help projects stay on track, crews may move from project area to project area depending on what work can be completed or advanced at the time in a certain area.
What is make-ready work and why does that impact some estimated completion dates?
When a project area is announced, the provider still needs to do some detailed site and engineering work. This helps refine the footprint so more detail around street and address level detail can be provided.
Part of the project work is make-ready work. This can include tree trimming, pole inspections, pole replacements with new poles, and water and road/railway crossing permits. The level of work can vary and providers also work with other levels of government and private sector on these items. We continue to work with partners to speed up regulatory approvals and optimize coordination among all of the partners.
It looks like fibre is now outside of my house. How do I know?
Access to connections is the final step in the process. Items including networks that are downstream, termination equipment, and back-office support must be in place prior to making service available to customers. Please refer to our list of complete addresses on project pages as available or ISP websites to know when service is available to order.