New Brunswick has announced a new rebate program aimed at improving internet access in rural areas.

The Remote Satellite Internet Rebate Program will cover one-time equipment fees incurred between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023.

It will be available to households and businesses in rural areas that will not benefit from federal upgrades announced earlier this year.

In June, the federal government announced $55 million in funding for Rogers and Xplornet to bring high-speed internet to nearly 11,000 households in dozens of communities.

To qualify for the program, the satellite service purchased must have download speeds of at least 50Mbps and upload speeds of at least 10Mbps. It must also have unlimited data.

Eligible households and businesses in New Brunswick will be notified by mail.