Ontario signs $100M deal with Elon Musk's Starlink system
Premier Doug Ford's government has signed a $100-million deal with Elon Musk's SpaceX to deliver high-speed internet to remote residents in rural and northern Ontario.
The new program called ONSAT — which stands for Ontario Satellite Internet — will bring SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet system to 15,000 premises, said Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma.
"These communities will gain access to high-speed satellite internet capable of supporting streaming video calls, online gaming and more activities that have become second nature to so many of us," Surma said.
The service will be used to connect people in the hardest-to-reach areas of the province to the internet, she said.
The system will go live next June with eligibility and registration starting in the spring.
The province will cover equipment and installation costs, but not monthly fees.
"It is an investment of close to $100 million," Surma said.
Ford highlighted the investment in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Cool," replied Musk, who also owns X.
SpaceX won after a "robust and transparent and competitive and fair technical and financial evaluation of multiple qualified parties," said Michael Lindsay, CEO of Infrastructure Ontario.
Indigenous "engagement and participation" is part of the contract Infrastructure Ontario signed with SpaceX, he said.
"SpaceX is going to engage directly with Indigenous communities to ensure equal access to the program and to create socio-economic opportunities through employment contracting and training opportunities," Lindsay said.
Installation is relatively straightforward and fast, said Joel Cherkis, who runs the business operations for Starlink.
They saw early success in 2020 when they rolled out the Starlink system to the people of Pikangikum First Nation in northwestern Ontario. The remote community is only accessible by air or an ice road in the winter.
"The Starlink team that was working with them found that within 15 minutes of getting the Starlink kit off of the charter flight that arrived at the First Nation, they were able to be online and actually connecting users to high-speed broadband," Cherkis said.
SpaceX launches about 40 satellites per week into the lower orbit, about 550 kilometres above Earth, he said.
The move is part of the province's $4-billion plan to deliver high-speed projects to every corner of Ontario. It has so far invested $2.5 billion in 270 projects, Surma said. That has connected 100,000 Ontarians to high-speed internet, and there are plans to connect 450,000 more.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatens to cut off energy to U.S. in response to Trump's tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened to cut off energy supply to the U.S. in response to the tariffs President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose on all Canadian imports.
Elon Musk calls Justin Trudeau 'insufferable tool' in new social media post
Billionaire Elon Musk is calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'an insufferable tool' in a new social media post on Wednesday. 'Won't be in power for much longer,' Musk also wrote about the prime minister on 'X.'
Trudeau will have to 'kiss the ring' to achieve smoother bilateral relations with Trump: John Bolton
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants to get on U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's good side for the sake of a smooth bilateral relationship, he'll likely have to be openly deferential, says former U.S. National Security Advisor, John Bolton.
Banks lower prime rates following Bank of Canada move
Canadian financial institutions are lowering their prime lending rates to match the decrease announced by the Bank of Canada.
Police locate labyrinth of tunnels connecting tents to generator in Hamilton encampment
Hamilton police say that they discovered a series of “man-made holes and tunnels” during a patrol of a downtown encampment earlier this week.
Police identify murder victim whose skull was found in Ontario river more than three decades ago
Police have identified a man whose skull was found almost 40 years ago in a Peterborough-area river.
Certain foods may disrupt your body's fight against cancer cells, study says
The food you eat may be affecting your body’s ability to fight cancer cells in the colon, according to a new study.
Canada Post strike: Talks deadlocked as sides clash on wages
Negotiations between Canada Post and the union representing its workers appear to be in a deadlock as the two sides remain far apart on wages and other issues.
Poilievre's Conservatives still in majority territory: Nanos seat projections
The Liberals' promise of a temporary GST break and $250 rebate cheques haven't benefited Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his minority government when it comes to public support, according to Nanos Research data.