Also announces expansion of Kings County FTTH project
HALIFAX — Develop Nova Scotia, a Crown corporation responsible for advancing high-speed Internet access projects across the province, today announced the expansion of the Satellite Internet Service Rebate program, which is funded through the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust.
Launched in July, the rebate program covers the one-time costs for eligible residents and businesses to set up satellite internet service, including hardware, taxes, shipping and installation, up to a maximum of $1,000.
When the program launched, Develop Nova Scotia said the rebate would be available to about 3,700 homes and businesses for which no other internet service solution had been found. In August, the program was expanded to allow applications from an estimated 2,200 additional residents and business owners who were not expected to gain access to wired or wireless Internet until after Dec. 31, 2023.
“As of November 30, 2022 the program is expanding to accept applications from all residents and business owners across the province who are currently unserved by high-speed wired or wireless internet,” a press release today reads.
Residents and businesses can check if their address is eligible for the rebate 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,” the release explains.
Currently, Starlink is the only satellite Internet provider that has indicated it can meet or exceed these speeds, according to the release. “If other satellite providers can meet these minimum speeds, they could also become eligible,” the release adds.
Develop Nova Scotia also announced today the expansion of an existing fibre-to-the-home project in Kings County. “173 additional addresses will receive fibre through an expanded project in Kings County with one of our Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative project partners, Cross Country Communications. Access is expected by the end of 2023.”
For more information, please click here.
