Project Update
November 9, 2007
Service providers are now being selected for broadband delivery across Nova Scotia ...By the end of November contracts should be signed, and company trucks will be rolling down our rural roads to begin the work that will bring affordable high-speed Internet connections to all Nova Scotians who want to sign up. It's not just Nova Scotians who are asking "When can I get it?" Governments from all over North America are watching and waiting to learn lessons from Nova Scotia. It's not easy being a frontrunner. All eyes are on us as we work toward making this province the most connected jurisdiction in all of North America.
Thanks to six service providers who submitted proposals for this intricate initiative, and a team of experts who evaluated their proposals, Nova Scotia has a solid and very competitive environment to work within. After weeks of detailed scrutiny, a shortlist of companies were invited to make presentations to the evaluation team and respond to questions. Based on these presentations and the experience, technical approaches, sustainable business models, the field was narrowed down to two companies who are now in contract negotiations to ensure that all interested Nova Scotians have access to reasonably priced high-speed Internet by December 31, 2009.
Federal funding to support the project announced October 9, 2007
Nova Scotia is in negotiations with the federal government for funding support for the Broadband for Rural Nova Scotia initiative. Following is an excerpt from the October announcement.
"Having the federal government contribute to our broadband initiative is another important milestone for this project," said Rodney MacDonald, Premier of Nova Scotia. "Access to broadband service is critical and that is why the government of Nova Scotia is committed to expanding access across the province by the end of 2009."
"As part of its Building Canada infrastructure plan, Canada's government is investing in priority infrastructure initiatives that support a growing economy, a cleaner environment, and a more secure Canada," said then ACOA Minister Peter MacKay. "Access to broadband is an essential tool that will help improve access to important services and promote the economic prosperity of rural and remote communities here in Nova Scotia and across Canada."
View the complete announcement at www.gov.ns.ca/news/details.asp?id=20071009003
Quick tips to prepare your computer for high-speed Internet
To get up and running, there's more involved than just building towers, running wires and transmitting signals. There's more to do than just subscribe to the service. Here are some of the things that can help with the transition:
- Make sure your computer has an ethernet port
- Take some time and clean up the viruses on your computer. They can slow down service.
When can I get broadband?
Back to the question "When can I get it?" Until the service providers are contracted and begin to schedule their work, we can't yet predict the answer to this question.
Once contracts are signed, companies can begin to make plans for client services. The selected companies will be setting up systems that will allow you to track the progress of broadband in your area.
Stay tuned.
Who's saying what in rural Nova Scotia about their new broadband service?
Nova Scotia Economic Development recently completed a pilot program in a rural area in from Tidnish to Port Howe (15 km radius) in preparation for the expansion of affordable high-speed Internet service to all areas of Nova Scotia by the end of 2009. Hundreds of people have signed up with the service provider for the new service. Here's what some of them are saying ...
Terry Mullins, Seven Gables Bed and Breakfast - Tidnish
When asked what high-speed Internet means for Seven Gables Bed and Breakfast, owner Terry Mullins says, "It has increased our ability to access our website, make changes quickly and has improved our productivity by 110 per cent." Seven Gables Bed and Breakfast is situated along the Northumberland Strait.
John Weir, Orsi & Weir Inc.- Hwy 366
"When we moved to the country, it didn't cross our mind that high-speed Internet was not available; fortunately, the pilot was installed shortly after our move," says John Weir, co-owner, Orsi & Weir Inc. "In our business, working without high-speed would be next to impossible, it makes vital communications and sales transactions possible."
Weir explained that working with International companies, transmitting files and materials, as well as arranging to ship products via online services, makes business transactions efficient and seamless with high-speed Internet.
Orsi & Weir's Varese professional quality clarinet is assembled and voiced in Nova Scotia; they also provide high-quality repair and restoration.
Cecilia Waalderbos, Viking Crest Farms Ltd.
"High-speed Internet allows us to send and receive important information more quickly," says Cecilia Waalderbos, Viking Crest Farms. "Now we can do a lot of things necessary to better manage our herd on-line, including the registration of all our newborn calves and download results of our milk quality tests."
Waalderbos explained that timely delivery of data through email, helps them meet requirements for identification of all the herd's animals and ensures quality milk production. Often, information is received well within 24 hours, which dramatically impacts the tools they can use for herd management. This process took much longer prior to high-speed Internet.