All about the
All about the
November 18, 2024 6 minutes to read
Jump directly to the price section of Starlink in Ontario. It consists of the cost of hardware and monthly service.
New Ontario's Government Subsidies for Starlink Services
Starlink's benefits include coverage in rural and remote areas, fast speeds, and no long-term contracts.
Disadvantages of Starlink include the high upfront cost for hardware and potentially higher monthly fees than some traditional providers.
Starlink, the satellite internet service of SpaceX, has grown rapidly in recent years and now offers a viable alternative to traditional internet service providers, especially for rural areas or the chalet. In this article, we will explore the price of Starlink in Ontario and discuss the new partnership with the government of Ontario.
Yes, Starlink is available everywhere in Ontario. As a satellite Internet service provider, Starlink offers coverage in most parts of the world, including rural and remote areas of Ontario. Interested users can check Starlink availability for their specific address on the Starlink website.
The availability of Starlink in Ontario has been good news for many residents, especially those who live in areas where internet access options are limited or non-existent. Thanks to Starlink's constellation of low-orbit satellites, Internet users can enjoy a fast and reliable connection, even in places far from urban centers.
It should be noted that the performance of Starlink may vary depending on several factors, including geographic location and weather conditions. While coverage is generally good across Ontario, some areas may experience connection issues or slightly lower speeds than advertised.
However, performance can be improved by upgrading to Starlink's high-performance option, which offers faster speeds, better satellite connection capability, and greater resistance to extreme environments. For more information on available Starlink hardware options and their performance differences, please refer to the pricing section of this article.
The price of Starlink in Ontario consists of two main elements:
The Starlink kit includes:
| Type of material | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Standard (Gen 2) | Regular price $299 |
| Standard (Gen 3) | Regular price $499 |
| High performance | $3,170 |
| Shipping and handling charges | Free for Standard and $68.00 for high performance |
| Shipping time | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Prices as of november 18, 2024 | Gen 2 $360.47 ($299 + taxes) Gen 3 $586.47 ($499 + taxes) |
*Partnership with SpaceX: November 14, 2024, the Ontario government announced plan to provide high-speed satellite internet access to 15,000 eligible homes and businesses in rural, remote, and northern communities
*Rural Hardware Discount: This promotion ended on September 30, 2023.
*Discounted Hardware Bundle: This promotion offers a $499 CAD bundle of Starlink hardware and was valid until January 5, 2024.
*Hardware Price Drop: In July 2024, Starlink reduced the price of standard hardware for consumers from $599 to $199 CAD and waived the shipping.
Starlink hardware comes in two options: Standard and High Performance.
Standard Option is ideal for residential users and everyday Internet applications. The Starlink Kit includes everything you need to get online in minutes.
High Performance Option is designed for demanding users, professional applications and users located in polar regions (latitudes above 60 degrees). It provides better speeds at high temperatures, connects to more satellites, and is more resilient to extreme environments. See the map below to identify the territories concerned.
The cost of the monthly service depends on the type of hardware chosen. Here is a summary of the monthly fees associated with each option:
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Monthly internet fee | $160.97/month ($140.00/mo + $20.97 tax) |
| Duration of the contract | No contract, 30 day trial |
Between Starlink and other technologies available in Ontario
Starlink is an increasingly popular option for Ontarians looking for a fast and reliable connection. To help you better understand how it compares to other technologies, here is an overview of speeds and latency.
| Technology | Download Speed | Upload speed | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starlink | 50-150Mbps | 20-40Mbps | 20-40ms |
| Optical fiber | up to 1 Gbps or more | up to 1 Gbps or more | <1-5ms |
| Cable | 100-500Mbps | 10-50Mbps | 10-20ms |
| ADSL | 5-50Mbps | 0.5-10Mbps | 20-70ms |
This table summarizes the download and upload speeds as well as the latency for the different internet technologies available in Ontario. Starlink offers impressive speeds and relatively low latency compared to other options.
On November 14, 2024, the Ontario government announced a partnership with SpaceX's Starlink to provide high-speed satellite internet access to 15,000 eligible homes and businesses in rural, remote, and northern communities. This initiative is part of the Ontario Satellite Internet (ONSAT) program, which aims to enhance internet connectivity where traditional services are lacking.
Grant applications can be submitted online on the Government of Ontario website until June, 2025. For more information on eligibility criteria and the application process, please consult the Ontario government website.
It is essential to weigh the pros and cons of Starlink before making a decision. Here are some things to consider:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Coverage in rural and remote areas | High initial cost for hardware |
| Fast download and upload speeds | Higher monthly fees than some traditional providers |
| No long term contract | May be affected by weather conditions |
| Easy setup and configuration |
Ontario is well known for its intense weather conditions, with harsh winters and heavy snowfall. You need to understand how Ontario weather can affect Starlink's performance and reliability.
Snow and ice can sometimes accumulate on the Starlink satellite dish, which can temporarily degrade the connection. However, the Starlink antenna is designed to automatically heat up and melt any snow or ice that may accumulate there. This feature helps minimize service interruptions due to winter precipitation.
Strong winds and thunderstorms can also affect Starlink's performance. The antennas are designed to withstand winds of up to 180 km/h, but extremely high winds could potentially cause problems. However, this should be a rare and isolated issue. Thunderstorms, on the other hand, can cause temporary interference in the connection, but these disturbances should be short-lived.
Starlink equipment is designed to operate in a variety of climatic conditions, including extremely cold or hot temperatures. High Performance hardware is particularly suitable for harsh environments and can perform better in extreme weather conditions.
In conclusion, although the intense weather in Ontario can have an impact on the performance of Starlink, the system is designed to cope with these conditions and offer a reliable and fast internet connection. Users located in regions with particularly harsh weather conditions might consider the High Performance option for better resiliency and optimal performance.
Mobo Telecom is a Canadian rural internet plan provider and mobile network operator. It is the largest fixed and rural wireless broadband service provider in the country. Its head office is located in Laval, Quebec.
