Spotty service

find ways to build the network efficiently and in a timely fashion.”

Matt Povah, an IT specialist for the Town of Windsor, has assisted Brooklyn and Hantsport in improving Internet service. He spoke at the meeting about the potential benefits of broadband optical fibre Internet at a reasonable cost.

Keppie said he believes improved Internet service would actually increase property values by $10,000 or $20,000, but the requirement is community cooperation.

He says there is a big gap between Wolfville and Windsor. Three providers offer Internet service currently, and three cables run right past the village.

The first aim is to explore the Annapolis Valley Fibre Network. Grants from various levels of government could help beef up the service. Keppie is hoping to gauge whether there is enough interest to set up a public/private partnership. cluding high speed Internet with speeds up to 100 Mbps and higher - to hundreds of small towns and communities across the province including Wolfville, Avonport, Hantsport, Windsor and parts of Grand Pré.

“We constantly review opportunities to expand and upgrade where it is economically viable to do so,” Laing said. “We work closely with many municipalities and community groups in their efforts to bring higher speed Internet to more small communities in their areas.”

Eastlink, she said, submitted a proposal last fall in response to the provincial government’s request for information for Internet solutions in communities where there is less than five Mbps service.

“We are preparing proposals to participate in the latest Connect to Innovate program,” she added.

Laing added that Eastlink has reached out to the Grand Pré and Area Community Association to better understand what opportunities there may be to work together to expand services in the area.