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As of 2024, is Starlink available in Canada? Finally, yes. The renowned satellite constellation for high-speed internet become available in most provinces in 2022. However, full availability was only achieved in 2024. Now that the Starlink in Canada map is officially filled in, the question is — how to access the service, and is it worth the cost? Below, we discuss the top things to know about Starlink in Canada — prices, plans, speed limits, and more, along with the advantages and limitations of the service.
How much does it cost to start Starlink in Canada?
The first investment on the user’s part is purchasing the hardware — a terminal you will need to use fast-speed internet from space. The standard cost is pretty steep — CAD $499, but some provinces can get the terminal at a reduced price of $99. It’s unclear how long the offer will last, so residents of Labrador, Newfoundland, Quebec, and a few other territories (check availability in your area) should grasp the deal while it’s hot.
Besides, users can opt for refurbished equipment at $299 per terminal. Currently, this offer is available in Northwest Territories, Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia, but you should also double-check availability in your area. All refurbished equipment is checked by the company before it gets to the new users, so it’s also a good offer worth considering.
With the initial cost of connection covered, another question is — how much per month is Starlink in Canada? Check out the available plans below.
Starlink Canada plans
As of now, the Internet provider offers three plans in Canada:
● Residential package, available at $140/month and suitable for most households. The plan offers speeds from 20 to 100 Mbps on download and from 5 to 15 Mbps on upload.
● Roam, previously called RV, is designed for camping, travelling, etc. This plan ensures up to 50 Mbps speed on download and up to 10 Mbps on upload. The package price will vary depending on usage; a regional subscription costs $170 per month, while global coverage is $260/month.
● Business, the most advanced package, with up to 220 Mbps speed on download and 25 Mbps on upload. These speed limits are available as part of the priority package, which is traffic-limited. The priority plans range from 40GB of higher-speed traffic ($185/month) to 2TB ($635/month). It is also possible to go with the minimum package and pay for extra priority gigabytes after exceeding the initial traffic limit.
Note, however, that the residential hardware kit that costs $99-$499 is not compatible with the business package; to use this plan, users will need to buy a terminal for $3,170.
So, why is Starlink so expensive in Canada? As space new resource Orbital Today explains, satellite launches cost a lot of money. However, there is a good reason to hope that a growing number of users will eventually lead to a decrease in price — after all, SpaceX also needs to cover its initial investment before introducing any price reductions.
Also, local regulatory issues affect Starlink in Canada price. For starters, there is the cost of a Basic International Telecommunications Services (BITS) License, as well as spectrum authorization and ground station approval permits. Clearly, all necessary permits have been granted, but so far, only three ground antennae are operational in Canada. Eventually, more ground stations might be necessary to provide a faster, more secure connection. So, even though the internet is already up and running, the overall service is still in its early days and might need more investment on SpaceX’s part.
Is Starlink faster than 5G?
The short answer is — sometimes. The residential package features download speeds from 20 to 100 Mbps, whereas business users enjoy up to 220 Mbps on a priority package. In contrast to that, major Canadian 5G provider TELUS can only ensure download speeds up to 100 Mbps, and SpaceX’s business plan beats this figure. In practice, internet speeds do not always reach their highest limits, but neither do mobile plans.
All in all, Starlink’s speed compares to 5G networks as far as download speed is concerned, but there is another factor affecting connectivity for the end user — latency. Satellite internet usually has a lower latency rate, which makes it more suitable for real-time applications, such as video calls or gaming. Besides, 5G is not yet available in all territories, so Starlink, with its somewhat steeper cost, is the only viable option.
Starlink in Canada Verdict
Despite several limitations and a rather steep cost of initial connection, Starlink offers a decent service in Canada and is well worth considering. Besides, in some areas, there are few other options to speak of — at least not at such speeds. Unfortunately, those are not the areas where users can buy Starlink equipment at a reduced price, but then again, charity and business usually don’t mix. All in all, Starlink in Canada plans feature a good combination of quality and price, especially in the northernmost regions.
