The CRTC announced today a new plan to provide high-speed fibre Internet to five Inuit communities in northern Quebec.
This project aims to build upon previous Broadband Fund projects in the Nunavik region and ensure all Kativik communities have high-speed Internet.
The cost of the project will be $79.4 million from the Broadband Fund, for the Kativik Regional Government to construct a massive 933-kilometre fibre link. This will connect the communities of Kangiqsualujjuaq, Aupaluk, Tasiujaq, Quaqtaq, and Kangirsuk to high-speed Internet.
One has to wonder why SpaceX’s Starlink isn’t being considered at a fraction of the cost, let alone set up taking minutes after acquiring hardware. With hardware kits available as low as $299 CAD (refurb), $79.4 million can buy over 265,000 Starlink dishes. That amount of funding can also support 4,400 years of internet at $140 per month.
The project will link more than 40 essential institutions, such as schools and health care centres, bringing social, educational, and economic benefits to these communities, says the CRTC. It will also support future projects to connect businesses and over 700 households.
“High-quality communications services are important to every aspect of our daily lives. This project will connect five remote Inuit communities in northern Quebec to high-speed Internet. This will have a significant impact in these communities, connecting over 40 public institutions, including schools and health care centres,” said Vicky Eatrides, CEO of the CRTC in a statement on Monday.
The project has received backing from the affected communities and several organizations, including the Makivvik Corporation, the legal representative for the Inuit in Nunavik.
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“One has to wonder why SpaceX’s Starlink isn’t being considered.” Well this is an infrastructure project. Once the fibre link is built, cost will be determined based on the competition of the providers that serve that area.
Giving all the money to a single private company and hoping that they will continue to provide service forever, present fair market prices, maintain their infrastructure indefinitely, etc. is fairly high risk. It could also be considered fairly monopolistic.