Bell Aliant turning away rural internet customers

Some people in Charlotte County are being turned down by Bell Aliant for internet service because the company says the network is full.

Gary Kenyon purchased a bundle from Bell Aliant for his property outside St. Andrews which included phone, internet and satellite television, but was told theregion's largest service provider didn't have any circuits available to provide high-speed internet.

"I was told, 'We do have internet in the areabut you can't get it until someone else disconnects,'" Kenyon said.

"At that point I said, 'Well why can't I have my internet?' They said, 'Well there is internet but we just don't have any ports available, we are at full capacity."

Kenyon was able to find high-speed internet through Xplornet's satellite service.

Bell Aliant expanding Fibre Op

Karen Sheriff, Bell Aliant's chief executive officer, said during an April 30 conference call with investors thatthe company is focused on growing its fibre optic network.

It is currently only available in larger communities.

"We are continuing to compete aggressively in the face of deeply discounted competition," she said.

In rural areas, Bell Aliant's high-speed internet service is provided over the telephone.

Five areas of rural Charlotte County are set to receive DSLhigh-speed service this fall as the company expands.

But Kenyon's home in Chamcook is not part of the expansion area.

A spokesperson for Bell Aliant says their network in the Chamcook area is at capacityand unable to keep up with growing demand.