By Amy Woolvett
THE COAST GUARD
NovaNewsNow.com
Many people eagerly awaiting a high speed Internet connection were recently disappointed when they realized they were in areas that could not be serviced, but EastLink is saying not to worry …connection will still happen by May 31.
Dan Acker is one resident in Ohio that attempted to get service only to be told that he was in an area that could not receive the signal from the tower, even though it was erected not far from his home.
“The only people who get it are people on hills,” he said.
Another customer was told that he could get a signal now but when the leaves come out he would lose his service.
“The government promised us high speed,” said Acker.
He said that he called EastLink four times but each time the company lost his address or failed to respond.
Karl Harris, is another Ohio resident unable to get service.
“If a signal doesn’t go through trees then there is no sense in coming to these parts,” he said. “Somebody must have done some poor planning.”
But 97 per cent of service is not what the province promised and EastLink is saying that despite these bumps, homes in these problem areas will have connection by the end of May.
“We are committed to give high speed Internet to every one in Nova Scotia who wants it,” said a Communications Director for EastLink, Jill Laing.
“We obviously have cases where we need alternate solutions,” she said.
She explained that in the areas where the signal strength does not reach, additional repeater poles might have to be erected.
She explained that this process would take around two weeks.
She said that anyone unable to get service should call EastLink to inform them that they want the high-speed connection.
“We will work to get the solution that will bring high speed Internet to our customers,” she said.
There are problem pockets across the province like the upper and middle Ohio areas but despite these Laing said they are sticking with the end of May deadline.
