The question of having a completely broadband enabled Pictou County is slowly moving from a "how-do-we-do-it?" to a "when-will-we-get-it?"

Representatives from the Office of Economic Development delivered a presentation on the province's Broadband for Rural Nova Scotia Initiative at the Museum of Industry Tuesday. While the plan is to be finished by 2009 - that is, broadband everywhere - it will go in steps.

County Warden Allister MacDonald said where it's implemented first may be determined by what region has the deepest pockets.

Economic Development, in a release explaining the initiative and surrounding its upcoming pilot project in Cumberland County, said un-served areas will get high speed Internet "based on existing infrastructure" - also factors such as the number of people and businesses will also be considered.

Also to be considered are the actual service providers. Dan MacDonald, who delivered the presentation, said the sustainability of those providers will play a big role in who gets to provide service to rural Nova Scotia. "We had a big discussion about sustainability. If we're going to invest in this broadband connectivity delivered to Nova Scotia, it has to be sustainable," he said...

See the full story at Nova Scotia Business Journal