Expanding Rural Cellphone Service: Making Rural Nova Scotia Safer

Last year, the PC government of Nova Scotia announced an ambitious plan to address the significant gaps in rural cell phone service throughout the province. For too long, rural Nova Scotians have faced issues like dropped calls, slow data speeds, and the anxiety of not being able to reach out for help in emergencies. Recognizing this critical need, Premier Tim Houston and his government introduced the Cellular For Nova Scotia Program.

The Plan:

The Cellular For Nova Scotia Program has set high goals to improve connectivity:

• 99% Coverage for basic voice call service in areas 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, supporting quality audio or video transmission for emails, internet browsing, and social media.

• 85% Coverage for high-definition service in these areas, providing high-quality audio or video transmission for video conferencing, social media, and streaming movies.

Achieving these benchmarks is expected to enhance safety, boost business growth, and unlock the full potential of rural communities, thereby driving economic growth in the province.

How Will They Get There?

Implementing such an ambitious plan requires decisive action. On July 31st, 2024, the PC government announced a major step towards a future where Nova Scotians can stay connected virtually everywhere. Over the next two years, the government will:

• Collaborate with industry partners to upgrade 27 existing sites and connect them to a 5G network.

• Construct 27 new provincially owned telecommunication towers in unserved areas, in addition to the 4 announced in October 2023.

These significant investments are poised to be a game changer for rural communities across Nova Scotia. The Cellular For Nova Scotia Program marks a crucial step forward, and the PC team remains committed to building up rural Nova Scotia every day.