Internet Projects Update

Below are several updates and reminders about Develop Nova Scotia and/or internet service provider (ISP) projects in our Municipality:

1. As of July 7, 2021, Bell has updated the status of the following projects:
   
   
   • Bell-DNS Phase 2 Blandford Project (which includes the communities of Northwest Cove, Southwest Cove, Aspotogan, Bayswater, Upper Blandford, Blandford, and New Harbour). The bulk of this project is now complete. A few remaining civic addresses in the area do not yet have access owing to the water crossing permit delay on Owls Head Road, which should be resolved shortly.
     
     
   • Bell-DNS Phase 3 Scope Expansion Chester Project (Deep Cove to Spruce Point). This project is now complete and a file of civic addresses that can access Bell Fibre Op in this project service area is available under the Documents tab on this page. (See: Bell-DNS Phase 3 - Deep Cove to Spruce Point Area Scope Expansion Project FSA110 Civic Address File)
     
     
   • Bell-DNS Phase 2 Chester Surround (Aaldersville area, Canaan area, New Russell area, and Seffernville area). This project now has an estimated completion date of summer 2022.
     
     
2. A reminder that progress on the Bell-DNS projects involves many moving parts, including: Bell’s capacity in managing multiple concurrent projects throughout Nova Scotia; the design of the new fibre service area network and ordering of specific materials; coordinating “make ready” work with Nova Scotia Power on power poles; securing water crossing permits with the Department of Lands & Forestry where necessary; and then, of course, the actual project build that includes installing fibre and vegetation cutbacks. The many Bell-DNS projects underway throughout our province creates logistical and capacity pressures for each announced project. For further detail of what goes into the coordination and prioritization of Bell-DNS projects, take a look at the Q&A section on this project page.
   
   
3. Unfortunately, TNC Wireless has cancelled its wireless towers project in our Municipality, a project originally announced in 2019 as a temporary solution to provide broadband wireless service until Develop Nova Scotia rolled out its Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative. TNC Wireless made the decision to cancel the project as it was no longer economically viable for TNC given the extent of the Bell-DNS service area projects in our communities. Community consultation for three tower sites (in Windsor Road, Forties, and Seffernville) was completed earlier this year by the Canadian Radiocommunications Information and Notification Service (CRINS), and although Council had budgeted a contribution to the TNC Wireless project, no work was completed on the towers project so no Municipal funds were expended.
   
   
4. Finally, Develop Nova Scotia (DNS) is leading investment in projects to improve access to high speed internet throughout the province. The mandate of DNS is that as close to 100% of Nova Scotian homes & businesses as possible will have access to minimum service standards of internet speeds of 50 Mbps download/10 Mbps upload for wired connections, and 25 Mbps download/5Mbps upload for wireless connections. As DNS and its ISP partners confirm details about the scope of announced projects, it is increasingly important that Develop Nova Scotia knows about properties that will still not have access to minimum service standards when all announced projects are completed. One of the things we’re doing at the Municipality is identifying and tracking any remaining unserviced/under serviced areas that we can then share with DNS for their ongoing discussions for additional projects. Residents, businesses, and organizations who do not have the opportunity to access minimum service standards as defined by Develop Nova Scotia are encouraged to contact Jonathan Meakin at jmeakin@chester.ca with details.