KRG partners with SpaceX for short-term high-speed internet solution
Regional government working to provide fibre optic connection across Nunavik; set to be complete in 2026
Kativik Regional Government’s administration director Daryl Combden, left, presents his department’s activity report at the regional council meeting in November. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
Kativik Regional Government will use SpaceX and Starlink terminals to expand internet bandwidth in Nunavik communities waiting on completion of the government’s fibre optic project.
“Engineers are currently talking to Canadian North Cargo to load a 737 freighter jet with gateway terminals,” said Daryl Combden, KRG administration director, during a council meeting last week in Kuujjuaq.
He described the terminals as two-by-two-metre domes, set to be installed in January.
Kuujjuaq will get gateway terminals, while Kangiqsujuaq, Quaqtaq, Kangirsuk, Aupaluk, Tasiujaq and Kangiqsualujjuag will receive high-speed terminals, which are larger versions of the Starlink dishes that in recent years have become ubiquitous across the North.
They increase bandwidth from 300 megabits to 5 gigabits, about 18 times greater capacity.
The terminals are meant to be a short-term solution while the regional government completes a fibre-optic connection to the region’s communities. Each community that does not yet have a fibre optic connection will get one terminal.
“This will be seamless to users, we will take the bandwidth and run it through our existing network,” Combden said.
For Kuujjuaq and the other communities, the terminals will be connected to the Fiber to the Home network.
Council members expressed concerns over why KRG is partnering now with Starlink when the company is in competition with the regional government to provide reliable, fast internet to Nunavimmiut.
“The fibre is still the ultimate goal,” Combden said. “Starlink has been a game changer, not just for Nunavik but for the world.”
However, he advised to be aware that “as Elon Musk launches new satellites, is he going to be as concerned with Nunavik as he is about Africa?”
KRG started work on the project in March 2020 to link every Nunavik community to a high-speed fibre optic internet connection. The most recent cost estimate is $158 million, funded through the federal government, Quebec government and KRG.
There are currently three remaining connections to finish: A link between Deception Bay and Kangiqsujuaq; an underwater connection for all Ungava communities; and a land connection between Kuujjuaq and Kawawachikamach.
According to Combden’s activity report, all three parts should be completed by the end of 2026.
Moving to Mars 🚀🛰️🛸👽
Just every house hold in Nunavik a free Starlink kit for christmans , problem sovled.
welcome to the mega bytes per second world, from kila bits per second world.
“Council members expressed concerns over why KRG is partnering… with Starlink when the company is in competition with the regional government…”
It would be interesting to hear some examples of times when a government out competed a private enterprise, especially in the tech field. This council is completely oblivious to reality. I would be embarrassed to be governed by them.
Space X the company has $$$$$$$ coming from the government, the American military and from other unknown financiers. It is not used by the CIBC as the information on the Space X can be blah blah
it is practically open source, using a VPN (virtual private network) it is said is a secure route. It’s a few bucks a month to subscribe.
What will this mean for communities that aren’t Kuujjuaq, Kangiqsujuaq, Quaqtaq, Kangirsuk, Aupaluk, Tasiujaq and Kangiqsualujjuag?