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| Broadband News |
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Broadband for Rural Nova Scotia Initiative
December 5, 2007
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| The province has signed contracts with Internet service providers, taking Nova Scotia one step closer to becoming the most connected jurisdiction in all of North America by the end of 2009. Premier Rodney MacDonald announced on Dec. 5, in Canaan, Lunenburg Co., that contracts have been awarded to Seaside Communications and Bragg Communications Inc. (EastLink) to provide access to high-speed Internet services. |
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Nova Scotia Premier
Hon. Rodney MacDonald |
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The $74.5-million broadband initiative, which touches all counties and a number of business sectors, is being cost shared by the provincial and federal governments and the successful service providers. The provincial contribution is $19.6 million. The federal contribution is a maximum of $14.5 million under the Building Canada infrastructure plan. The shared cost to the companies will be $40.4 million.
"It is vital that rural schools, health clinics, businesses and citizens have timely access to essential services and research facilities to keep Nova Scotia globally competitive," said Angus MacIsaac, Economic Development Minister. "Access to high-speed Internet will help our communities become even more attractive to new businesses, skilled workers and young professionals who can raise their families in the comfort of rural communities with many of the same advantages as urban centres."
Seaside Communications will cover Cumberland, Colchester, Pictou, Antigonish, Guysborough, Inverness, Richmond, Victoria and Cape Breton counties.
EastLink has signed contracts to provide service to Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby, Annapolis, Kings and Hants counties.
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Halifax Regional Municipality, which includes 45 rural communities, is a unique area and was awarded earlier this year under a separate procurement process managed by the municipality. The province is working with the municipality to complete negotiations and ensure there is 100 per cent broadband coverage for all of rural HRM by the end of 2009. An announcement for the region will be made at a later date.
Cathy Pipe, a resident of Lorneville, Cumberland Co., has lived with dial-up Internet for many years. Last February, she became part of the broadband pilot project.
"High-speed Internet will open up new avenues for people of all ages and walks of life -- from farmers, to entrepreneurs to students," said Ms. Pipe. "Updating programs takes seconds and accessing large websites is a breeze."
An expert evaluation team chose the successful companies unanimously based on the criteria listed in the RFP a combination of a number of factors including their experience with the proposed technology, their approach to the project based on their business model and technical expertise, the sustainability of service in each zone, and their ability to meet the desired completion date within reasonable costs. |
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"We've been in the communications business for 31 years"
And welcome this project as a wonderful fit for our expertise in wireless Internet. We completed the successful pilot project earlier this year, which gives us firm footing in knowing how to approach the special needs of the rural areas and communities covered by our contract."
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Mr. Irving Schwartz
President of Seaside Communications |
Innkeeper welcomes High-Speed Internet
Spring Summer 2007 |
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Lorneville - “It’s awesome. If we weren’t able to get this it would be harder and harder for us to compete for business.” Amherst Shore Country Inn operator Rob Laceby is describing what the arrival of high-speed Internet means to businesses like his in the Tidnish to Port Howe area. The cluster of communities along the Northumberland Strait in Cumberland County was selected as the pilot area for the expansion of high-speed Internet service to all areas of Nova Scotia by 2009.
The business model developed will be used in other rural areas of the province. Laceby’s Lorneville property was among the first customers connected. The Amherst Shore Country Inn features 8 rooms, three cottages, 1,000 feet of private beach and gourmet dining. But despite all its attributes, Laceby said they were becoming un-competitive with dial-up Internet, especially in the corporate market. He explained that the availability of high speed Internet is becoming more and more a critical factor in the decision making process.
“If a business traveler couldn’t communicate with the office properly they probably wouldn’t stay with us,” he said. Rob Laceby of the Amherst Shore Country Inn. |
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“Ideally we would like to make it WiFi so our guests could have their laptop and be connected while sitting in the gazebo at the beach.”
He also believes that the expansion of high-speed Internet will benefit the entire pilot area, particu- larly the thousands of cot- tagers who flock to the shore each summer. “A lot of people who have cot- tages will be able to stay longer. There are a lot of professional people who, if they’re connected to the office, can work from their cottage,” Laceby said.
"The longer they’re in the area, the greater the chance they might come for dinner.” Laceby said even people who are on vacation are still connected to the of- fice. He compares the lack of high speed to not hav- ing a telephone or TV in the room years ago. On an administrative level, Laceby said the ar- rival of high-speed has made life much easier.
“Our communications, res- ervations, and marketing were very difficult before, just because of the time delays with dial up, and there were certain func- tions we just couldn’t do,” he said. For example it was difficult for them to exchange larger files with their sister property, the Blomidon Inn in Wolfville where a lot of the print ads and other marketing materials for both proper- ties are developed.
From a service perspective, Laceby said it’s what customers want and ex- pect. “We have an online reservation system and now we’re more efficient in getting back to people. It also allows us to drive more people to our web- site where we can provide them with so much infor- mation on specific things related to our property.”
Laceby said they are very excited about getting the next stage of high-speed wireless for their guests. His goal is to not only have it available in the guest rooms but through- out the entire property, including the beach. |
| Content compliments of CREDA NEWS |
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