Northwest Territories Explores Options for Starlink Replacement amidst Political Influence
In the vast and remote regions of the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.), reliable internet connectivity has been a game-changer, thanks to SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service. However, political and trade tensions between Canada and the United States have complicated the situation, and the N.W.T. government is now seeking a replacement.
The only realistic alternative under consideration is Eutelsat OneWeb, a U.K.-based satellite internet provider. While OneWeb offers less consistent coverage and slower speeds compared to Starlink, it is positioned as an alternative Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation, particularly useful for remote and northern areas like the Northwest Territories.
Starlink, with its dense LEO constellation and rapidly growing satellite count, tends to offer better coverage in extremely remote or rural areas where terrestrial options are unavailable or limited. In contrast, Northwestel, the main non-satellite alternative in N.W.T., provides a more traditional terrestrial internet service with reliable speeds, but availability may be limited to more populated or accessible parts of the territory.
Here's a comparison of the three providers in terms of speed and reliability:
| Provider | Technology | Speed (Approx.) | Reliability | Notes | |-----------------|---------------------------|--------------------|-------------------|----------------------------------------------| | SpaceX Starlink | LEO satellite constellation | 100 Mbps - 250+ Mbps | Generally high, low latency for satellite | Largest LEO constellation, good coverage in N.W.T. | | Eutelsat OneWeb | LEO satellite constellation | Likely lower or comparable to Starlink (exact speeds vary) | Growing network, good for remote areas | Fewer satellites than Starlink; some regulatory and rollout constraints | | Northwestel | Wired/fixed wireless | Up to 700 Mbps | Very reliable (terrestrial/wireline) | Local incumbent provider; may have limited service in very remote areas |
N.W.T. Premier R.J. Simpson has indicated the territory is considering cancelling its Starlink contract, which could leave eight N.W.T. communities without satellite internet. Residents like David Codzi from Colville Lake are concerned that politics could impact their lives by removing Starlink.
Currently, no viable alternative to Starlink has been found, and OneWeb's capped data plans and sluggish speeds make it impractical for some residents in N.W.T. communities. Moreover, OneWeb does not sell directly to consumers, and enterprise-level systems are costly and targeted at institutions rather than individuals.
This situation is not unique to the Northwest Territories. Ontario has recently cancelled a $100 million contract to provide satellite internet in remote parts of the province, leaving residents in a similar predicament.
As the N.W.T. government navigates this complex issue, it's clear that the best choice depends on specific location, speed requirements, and budget. The search for a reliable and affordable alternative to Starlink continues.
[1] Northwestel Internet Plans and Pricing: https://www.northwestel.com/en/internet/internet-plans [2] Eutelsat OneWeb: https://www.eutelsatoneweb.com/ [3] SpaceX Starlink: https://www.starlink.com/
- In the pursuit for a viable alternative to SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service, the Northwest Territories government is considering Eutelsat OneWeb, a U.K.-based provider that operates a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation, particularly useful for remote and northern areas like the Northwest Territories.
- While OneWeb offers less consistent coverage and slower speeds compared to Starlink, it is an alternative LEO constellation that could potentially meet the needs of residents in remote and rural regions of the Northwest Territories, where reliable internet connectivity has been a game-changer, thanks to SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service.
