If you live just outside Saint John or in a rural New Brunswick community, your internet connection is about to get a major upgrade. The federal government announced a $73 million investment to bring high speed internet to over 27,600 homes across the province.

Expanding Connectivity Across the Province

Officials confirmed the funding supports two major projects led by Rogers Communications Inc. and Xplore. These initiatives bring reliable internet access to more than 500 rural and remote communities in New Brunswick. The funding originates from the Universal Broadband Fund. This federal plan provides reliable high speed internet to Canadians in rural, remote, underserved, and Indigenous communities.

Secretary of State for Rural Development Buckley Belanger emphasized the importance of this infrastructure. “High speed Internet is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity, no matter where you live in Canada,” Belanger stated in a government news release reported by CTV News.

Closing the Digital Divide

Currently, 95.6 percent of New Brunswick households have access to high speed internet. Nationally, that number sits at 96.3 percent, a significant jump from just 79 percent in 2014. The government established a firm goal to ensure every Canadian household has access to high speed internet by 2030.

“Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to achieving that goal and represents a major milestone for connectivity in communities across the province,” Belanger added.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many homes benefit from this new funding?

The $73 million investment connects over 27,600 homes in rural New Brunswick to high speed internet.

Which companies are building the new networks?

Rogers Communications Inc. and Xplore lead the two projects expanding access to over 500 communities.

What is the timeline for nationwide high speed internet?

The federal government plans to connect every Canadian household to high speed internet by 2030.