Proposals Sought for Full HRM Broadband Coverage

The province is asking for proposals to ensure broadband service is available to everyone in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

The tender, issued today, Feb. 21, brings the unserved areas of HRM into the Broadband for Rural Nova Scotia initiative, which ensures 100 per cent access by the end of 2009.

In December, tenders were awarded to cover the rest of the province under the broadband initiative. At that time, HRM was in the final stages of a separate broadband project supported by all three levels of government. The project covered 45 communities in rural areas, leaving about 2,000 civic addresses unserved.

"We're very pleased to be working with the province to ensure complete coverage for the municipality," said Brad Anguish, director of business planning and information management for HRM. "Citizens are anxious to be connected, and HRM is excited by the increased economic development opportunities that result from the additional broadband coverage."

"We will continue to work closely with our colleagues in the HRM to ensure that the process meets the needs of their residents," said Nancy Flam, broadband co-ordinator for the Department of Economic Development. "HRM will be covered by the same time lines as the rest of the unserved areas of the province."

The request for proposals is available through the public tenders office at 6176 Young St., Halifax, by calling 902-424-3333 or going online at www.gov.ns.ca/tenders. The closing date is March 20.

High-speed Internet service is available to about 78 per cent of Nova Scotians. The Broadband for Rural Nova Scotia project will have remaining areas of the province served by the end of 2009. For information on the province's broadband initiative, visit www.gov.ns.ca/econ/broadband.