Business View City & Municipal | August 2022

5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7 O p e n i n g L i n e s PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA INVESTS IN SATELLITE INTERNET T he government of Nova Scotia is helping homes and businesses get internet where there is no access to wired or wireless solutions. The Satellite Internet Service Rebate program announced on July 29 will cover the cost of installing satellite internet equipment for eligible households or businesses, up to a maximum of $1,000. The rebate will be available to about 3,700 homes and businesses for which no other internet service solution has been found. “As our province continues to grow, important infrastructure like reliable high-speed internet is critical to our success,” said Economic Development Minister Susan Corkum-Greek. “We want to foster growth and prosperity across Nova Scotia, and each new internet connection represents fewer barriers, faster business growth and more communities being able to connect.” The government has invested $8.5 million in the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust for the program, as part of its commitment to extend internet to every household in Nova Scotia. The program, led by Develop Nova Scotia, opened on Tuesday, August 2. Nova Scotians should confirm they are eligible for the rebate before purchasing satellite equipment. They can confirm their eligibility by visiting https://internet. developns.ca/satellite and entering their home or business address. Once eligibility has been confirmed and the satellite service and equipment has been purchased, applications can be submitted electronically or by mail by the customer. Qualified satellite service providers for the program must meet or exceed the Canadian Radio- television and Telecommunications Committee minimum speed targets of 50 Mbps download / 10 Mbps upload. Currently, only Starlink has indicated it can meet or exceed these speeds, but if other satellite providers can meet these speeds, they may also be included in the program. Quotes: