Tonight Bruce Howatt of Aliant was on CBC Compass reporting in on Aliant's goal to bring high speed internet to all Islanders. Bruce reported that they are 30% completed (5,000 households are able to connect to DSL, out of 25,000). Bruce also reported they are on schedule. He said they expect prices to be between $29.95 to $49.95 a month and Aliant is expecting the project to cost $8.2 million.
If all of those 5,000 people connected then that would be additional revenue for Aliant of $149,750. If the 25,000 people connected then it would be additional revenue of $748,750 or $8.9 million for the first year! And that's at the special introductory offer of $29.95 which is only valid for a year. That's a nice return for Aliant.
What was not discussed was how fast the service will be but I give the Sarah? credit as she didn't let Bruce off easily when asking about pricing.
