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Nova Scotia’s Premier is calling on the nation’s telecommunication giants to try new ideas to improve cell service in the province.
“My message to them has been if you have a pilot project for new technology, do it here, do it in Nova Scotia,” said Premier Tim Houston.
Houston has also spoken with telecommunication companies about implementing more satellite resources for cell coverage.
“Technology usually moves faster than regulations, so as the telecoms look to deal with all the regulatory hurdles of new technology with things like satellites we want to help,”.
The issue of cell coverage has been around in Nova Scotia for years but rose to prominence again during the intense rain in 2023, where connectivity issues were a contributing factor in residents not getting crucial evacuation information.
In West Hants, three children and one adult were killed after getting trapped by flood waters.
Houston is hopeful that Nova Scotia will see cellphone coverage improve much like internet availability.
Improving internet access was one of his election platforms. When he first took office approximately 75 per cent of the population had high-speed internet access, while today that figure is 98.9 per cent. That increase is primarily attributed to the adoption of satellite internet receivers in remote locations.
Part of Houston’s government strategy in improving satellite internet involved a grant for Nova Scotians looking to purchase equipment. Through the program, eligible households could receive up to $1,000 to cover set-up costs.
Should satellite cell phone technology achieve more widespread usage Houston indicated similar programs to support their adoption in Nova Scotia would be possible.
