First upgrades to N.S. cellular infrastructure to be complete this month
The Cellular for Nova Scotia program, launched by the Progressive Conservative government in 2023, is making significant strides in expanding cellular service across the province. During a recent meeting of the legislature’s standing committee on community services, MLAs were informed that the first upgraded sites are set to become operational this month.
According to Build Nova Scotia CEO David Benoit, the program aims to provide coverage to over 20,000 civic addresses and 1,000 kilometers of primary roads that were previously without cellphone service. With a commitment of $69.2 million to the project so far, the goal is to achieve near-universal coverage in Nova Scotia.
The first phase of the program is well underway, with Rogers upgrading almost 20 of the 27 existing structures by the end of the year. Additionally, construction on the first of 27 new provincially owned cellphone transmission towers is set to be completed in early 2026, with continued work throughout 2027. This initial phase is expected to cover 12,300 civic addresses and 562 kilometers of roads.
However, the most challenging areas are yet to be addressed. Executive deputy minister Paul LaFleche highlighted that geographical factors such as hills, dense forests, and low-lying valleys can impact signal strength, even near existing towers. Closing these remaining gaps will be a key focus of the final phase of the program, which is currently under review following a call for proposals.
Despite the program’s primary focus on areas with no existing service, it is anticipated that overall cellular service across the province will see improvements. Benoit acknowledged that some parts of Nova Scotia currently have “less desirable service,” partly due to federal requirements mandating the removal of equipment manufactured in China by telecommunication companies.
In conclusion, the Cellular for Nova Scotia program is making significant progress in expanding cellular service throughout the province. By addressing areas with no service and aiming to improve coverage overall, the program is working towards achieving near-universal connectivity for Nova Scotians. As construction continues on new transmission towers and existing structures are upgraded, the goal of providing quality cellular service to all corners of the province is well within reach.
