Last year, our PC government announced a plan to address the gaps in rural cell phone service across Nova Scotia. For too long, rural Nova Scotians have dealt with dropped calls, slow data, and the fear of not being able to reach help when needed. Something had to change. That’s why Premier Tim Houston and the PC government launched the Cellular For Nova Scotia Program.
The Plan:
This program has ambitious goals. We aim for:
- 99% Coverage for basic voice call service where Nova Scotians live, work, learn, and travel on primary roads. This ensures clear audio calls.
- 95% Coverage for standard-definition service in these areas. This supports quality audio or video for emails, internet browsing, and social media.
- 85% Coverage for high-definition service in these areas. This provides high-quality audio or video for video conferencing, social media, and streaming movies.
Achieving these benchmarks means safer communities, thriving businesses, and unlocking the full potential of our rural areas, driving economic growth.
How Do We Get There?
A bold plan requires bold action. On July 31st, 2024, our PC government announced a major step towards a future where Nova Scotians are connected virtually everywhere. Over the next two years, we will:
- Collaborate with industry to upgrade 27 existing sites and connect them to a 5G network.
- Build 27 new provincially owned telecommunication towers in unserved areas, adding to the 4 announced in October 2023.
These significant investments are a crucial boost for the Cellular For Nova Scotia Program and will transform rural communities across our province. Our PC team is dedicated to building up rural Nova Scotia, every day.
Relevant Links
N.S. to bring 27 telecommunication towers to unserved areas https://t.co/YEIj9LNuNM
— CTV Atlantic (@CTVAtlantic) July 31, 2024
Nova Scotians rely on cell phones for information, safety, and reliable communication. That's why our government is taking action to enhance cell reception over the next two years. Here's how we're doing it: pic.twitter.com/nMX6vJM92y
— Tim Houston (@TimHoustonNS) July 31, 2024
Nova Scotians in areas with no cellular service will soon have better connectivity as a result of the Province’s largest ever investment in cellular infrastructure, which will enhance existing infrastructure and add more towers over the next two years.https://t.co/6quj985bMb pic.twitter.com/9LTDAcKTK6
— Build Nova Scotia (@BuildNovaScotia) July 31, 2024