EastLink receives high speed approval for Queens internet expansion

Region of Queens Municipal Council approved Sept. 15 a proposal by EastLink to decrease the time required before they can start building the high speed internet broadcast towers. The approval means that the time required has gone from 120 days to 40 days.

It isn’t a free pass for EastLink however.

“It was made absolutely clear that any approval is subject to the information provided complying with all regulatory regimes,” said Mayor John Leefe. “For example, national building code, the land use by-law and so on.”

Other councils have also approved the shortening of time, such as in Lunenburg Co.

The reason EastLink is asking for a shorter timeline is so they can meet their commitment to the province to bring rural broadband internet to all of Nova Scotia by the end of 2009.

“Secondly, the company wants to do the in-ground work of the towers before the beginning of the winter construction season,” added Leefe.

The company must also have a public forum within that time period before construction can begin.