Seaside Connects Nova Scotians Coast to Coast
News Release
Local internet company receives federal support to enhance technology and reach
Ben Eoin, N.S. – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Today, Rodger Cuzner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) announced a $2,000,000 repayable contribution from the Government of Canada in a community-based internet technology company here in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Locally owned, staffed and operated for the past forty years, Seaside Wireless Communications is receiving this support through ACOA’s Business Development Program to support the expansion and enhancement of internet technologies in rural and remote areas of the province.
Throughout northern Nova Scotia, from Cape Chignecto on the Bay of Fundy, to Meat Cove on the northern tip of Cape Breton Island, Seaside Wireless Communications will improve network speed and reliability in underserved areas by converting 14,800 customers over the next three years.
The communication tower that sits atop Ski Ben Eoin will be one of the first to be upgraded under this project. Neighbouring homes and businesses in Sydney Forks, East Bay and Eskasoni are among the many rural communities that will benefit from increased speed and enhanced reliability.
Quotes
“Increased internet speed and reliability are critical components of building resilient community and business networks, particularly in underserved rural areas. This investment will enable individual citizens and business owners to communicate and share knowledge quickly and dependably with a simple tap or click.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
“The delivery of increased internet speed and reliability is an important milestone for businesses and rural communities throughout northern Nova Scotia. This kind of investment will have a broad impact on business development in addition to the benefits of enhanced information accessibility that will be realized by individual subscribers.”
- Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton – Canso and Parliamentary Secretary
“It is very encouraging, as a businessman from Cape Breton, to see the overwhelming support for this initiative. ACOA’s commitment will assist our company’s goal of closing the gap between the rural and urban internet experience. It will make a big difference to our customers, for whom affordable high-speed internet is an essential service—and provide yet another reason why it’s great to live in rural Nova Scotia.”
- Loran Tweedie, CEO of Seaside Wireless Communications Inc.
Associated Links
Seaside Communications – Sister Company
Seaside Links
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Contacts
Alex Smith
Director of Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Phone: 902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
E-mail: alex.smith@canada.ca
Parker Donham
Seaside Wireless Communications Inc.
Phone: 902-565-5555
E-mail: parker@donham.ca
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