- The Satellite Internet Service Rebate Program expanded in November, 2022 to accept applications from residents and business owners across the province who are currently unserved by high-speed wired or wireless internet. Projects previously announced through the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative continue to advance. This will provide an interim solution for many Nova Scotians.
- The rebate, which continues into 2024, 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 also remains available to the approximate 3,700 homes and businesses for which no feasible wired or wireless internet solution has been found as well as addresses previously identified as not receiving high-speed access until after the end of 2023.
- You can check if your address is eligible here.
- If eligible, and you are interested in taking part in the program, you will first need to purchase the hardware from a qualified satellite internet provider. Their high-speed satellite product must meet or exceed CRTC minimum speed targets of 50 Mbps download/10 Mbps.
- Currently, Starlink has indicated that they can meet or exceed these minimum speeds. We would encourage you to reach out to the providers to determine which product best suits your needs. If other satellite providers can meet these minimum speeds, they could also become eligible.
- You can then apply for the rebate via the online application here by providing information such as service address, proof of purchase and contact information.
- In addition to the online application, there is also a print/mail-in application available.
- Please Note: Your rebate amount is based on the receipts supplied with your application. All receipts must be included at time of application. Do not send receipts via email unless requested by Build Nova Scotia staff.
Make sure in the application you provide the civic address where you want this service at and provide mailing address (if different) for where you want the rebate paycheque. - Once your claim is reviewed and approved, a cheque will be mailed to you. You will receive a cheque within approximately 8-10 weeks of the date of submission *. If it's past 10 weeks, please contact satellite@buildns.ca or toll-free at 1-800-298-2854. * Cheques are sent through Canada Post so times can vary.
- If we determine in our review that you are not eligible, we will reach out to you within 1-2 weeks to let you know why.
- The Satellite Internet Service Rebate is available through a $8.5M investment from the Province to the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust. This money was in the 2021-22 budget.
- For those in a project area with a fixed wireless or wired solution currently underway, once access is available, you can decide to switch from satellite to that service. Focus remains to continue to advance projects wherever possible.
Note:
- If you are a non-Canadian resident and the address is showing as eligible, you would be eligible for the rebate program. Please include a Social Security Number (or alternate depending on your country of origin), where it asks for a Social Insurance Number. If you have any questions, please contact Build Nova Scotia at 1-800-298-2854 or satellite@buildns.ca
Personal Information:
Personal information on the Satellite Rebate Service Program application form is collected by Build Nova Scotia under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP).
We collect:
- your name
- mailing address
- phone number
- email address
- physical address where the service is connected
- which service provider you have chosen
- proof of service documentation
- Social Insurance Number
- Date of Birth
We collect and use this information to process your application, determine your eligibility for the rebate, to communicate with you regarding your application, to issue payment, and to file required reporting on rebates issued to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). To determine eligibility, it is necessary to disclose your name, address where the service is connected and service provider information to the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust via Build Nova Scotia for them to review and approve your application.
To process your payment, it is necessary to disclose your name and mailing address to McInnes Cooper which will be processing payments on behalf of the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust. Your name, the amount awarded, your social insurance number, and date of birth will be disclosed to the Canada Revenue Agency as the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust is required to report distributions from the Trust. Your personal information will only be used or disclosed for another purpose if we are authorized by law to do so or if we obtain your express consent.
To read more about how government respects your privacy when interacting with our online services review our full Privacy Statement. For questions about how your personal information is handled in relation to this program, you can contact us at satellite@buildns.ca.