Project Update
April 03, 2008When are we getting high speed?
The question on everyone's lips in rural Nova Scotia is "when am I getting high speed?"'
Businesses, tourism operators and residents have waited a long time for a reliable high-speed service. Although the deadline is the end of 2009, service will become available to subscribers across the province throughout the lifetime of the Initiative, as the infrastructure is put in place.
The wireless signal backbone will be built first, using existing towers. Subscribers who can receive signals from those towers will be switched on as the service becomes available. Then gaps in service will be filled in using smaller towers and poles.
It is important to note that not everyone who lives within view of an existing tower may get a signal right away. Unfortunately, that is due to the rugged nature of Nova Scotia's landscape. The service provider will install poles to get a high-speed signal to those residents living in difficult spots over the course of the build.
In other words, subscribers all across Nova Scotia will be hooked up continuously over the next two years, but there is no guarantee that everyone in a particular area will get access to high- speed at the same time.
The key thing to remember is that the service providers are obliged to ensure that everyone in their zones has access to high-speed service by the end of 2009.
Using a Fixed Wireless Solution
Both Seaside Communications and EastLink will use the Motorola Canopy fixed wireless solution. Fixed wireless technology is very well suited to this project; it is cost efficient, and scalable, which means that it can be expanded easily in the future when necessary.
The Canopy technology transmits a radio signal between fixed access points on radio antennae (towers and poles) strategically located across the province. The signal is delivered to subscribers through a receiver box fixed to their home or office. A cable will then bring the signal indoors to the subscriber's computer or wireless router. Although the technology is wireless, it is different from cell phone technology in that you cannot use it on the move.
Creating the Wireless Network
Currently, EastLink and Seaside Communications are designing their ‘build.' Using maps highlighting unserved communities and civic addresses, as well as topographical data, the companies are identifying existing towers or new sites that will successfully transmit wireless signals to unserved areas.
It is estimated that between 400 - 500 structures will be used across the province to complete this initiative. Many of those structures are already in place. For example, the province will lease many of its towers. Municipal structures such as water towers, or volunteer fire department towers and structures could also be suitable, if they are situated in the right location. However, some new structures will have to be built to achieve full access to high speed.
Roughly 80 per cent of the new infrastructure will be twenty-five metre poles, similar to telephone or electricity poles. The remaining twenty per cent will comprise radio antenna towers that range from 30 - 70 metres in height.
Additional information
In January 2007, Premier Rodney MacDonald announced that high-speed access to the Internet would be made available across Nova Scotia by the end of 2009, making this province one of the most connected jurisdictions in North America. This exciting infrastructure investment is being cost-shared by the provincial government, the federal government, and the high speed service providers to the tune of over $70 million.
To keep informed on progress of the Broadband for Rural Nova Scotia initiative, please visit our website at: www.gov.ns.ca/econ/broadband. While you are there, please join our mailing list to receive regular updates about this challenging and exciting initiative.
Alternatively, you can contact the service provider in your area and sign up to request broadband service when it becomes available.
EastLink: 1-888 345-1111 / http://eastlink.ca/rural_broadband/
Seaside Communications:1-877 842-1177 / http://www.seasidehighspeed.com/
