Internet Expansion in Western NS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2020
Rural Internet Fibre Expansion in Western Nova Scotia
Western Regional Enterprise Network partners with local municipalities, Develop Nova Scotia and Bell Canada on Western, NS Internet build
Western Nova Scotia, September 1, 2020
Yarmouth, NS – The Western Regional Enterprise Network (Western REN), in partnership with the Municipalities of the Districts of Argyle, Barrington, Digby and Yarmouth, Develop Nova Scotia and Bell Canada are pleased to announce that 5,400 homes and businesses in western Nova Scotia will soon have access to high-speed Internet.
The Western REN has been working with the Municipalities of the Districts of Argyle, Barrington, Digby, Yarmouth and industry to identify the region’s needs around high-speed Internet and exploring possible solutions.
“With this second round of funding from the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust and our partner municipalities, we will bring high-speed Internet service to many communities in the region, reaching approximately 5,400 new homes and businesses with direct connections to Bell’s all-fibre network,” said Angelique LeBlanc, CEO of Western REN. “This project is critical for the businesses and residents in the region during the best of times, but especially so during COVID-19, where many of our region’s businesses, employees and students need a reliable Internet connection to continue business operations and implement work from home scenarios. Flexibility will be required where possible as the health crisis continues.”
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) are developing the upcoming “Universal Broadband Fund” and Develop Nova Scotia will continue to encourage expansion into some of the harder to reach areas in the region and across the province..
“Our team and partners have worked hard towards this announcement, and we are all very excited. We will continue to work with our municipal partners, and partners at Develop Nova Scotia and ISED to close the final gaps” said LeBlanc. “By working with our partners, at the end of these projects we will have over 7,000 homes and businesses connected to high-speed Internet.
PROJECT DETAILS:
The project will provide residences and businesses with access to Bell’s allfibre network offering residents download speeds of up to 1.5 Gigabits per second (Gbps), the fastest home internet speeds in the country. Work on the project will begin immediately, and builds are required to be substantially completed by Summer 2022.
Municipality of the District of Argyle
- 2,514 premises in or near Comeaus Hill, Little River Harbour, Melbourne, Morris Island,
Argyle Head, Argyle, Glenwood, Central Argyle, Lower Argyle, Pubnico, West Pubnico, Middle West Pubnico, Lower West Pubnico, East Pubnico, Middle East Pubnico, Centre East Pubnico, Lower East Pubnico, Tusket, Bell Neck, Springhaven, Quinan, South Quinan, South Canaan, Gavelton, Kemptville, North Kemptville, and East Kemptville
Municipality of the District of Barrington
- 838 premises in or near Clyde River, Port Clyde, Thomasville, Cape Negro, Blanche, Reynoldscroft, Upper Port La Tour, Port La Tour, Baccaro, West Baccaro, Smithsville, and Goose Lake
Municipality of the District of Clare
- 614 premises in or near Southville, Hasset, Hilltown, Easton, Havelock, New Tusket, Corberrie, Moodys Corner, Cedar Lake and Beaver River
Municipality of the District of Digby
- 102 premises in or near Danvers, Southville, Riverdale
Municipality of the District of Yarmouth
- 1,324 premises in or near Port Maitland, Lake George, Norwood, Lake Annis, Gardners Mills, Brazil Lake, Pleasant Valley, Richfield, Forest Glen, North Kemptville, Kemptville, South Canaan, Raynardton, Tusket Falls, and Melbourne
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Contact: Alyson Duffy
Telephone: 902-478-2597
Email: aduffy@westernren.ca