A new Wi-Fi hotspot powered by SpaceX’s Starlink is now active along Highway 5 in the Northwest Territories, approximately 100 kilometres outside Fort Smith.
This new access point, located at a grader camp pull-off, provides a critical connection for travellers along the remote route between Fort Smith and Hay River, where cell service is virtually nonexistent.
This project is a joint effort by Parks Canada and the N.W.T. Department of Infrastructure, aimed at improving safety and communication options in areas without cellular coverage. Parks Canada supplied the Starlink hardware and manages the satellite connection, while the N.W.T. government provided the location and power source. The service is free for public use, a spokesperson from Parks Canada confirmed to CBC News.
For many locals, the hotspot is a welcome addition. Fort Smith resident Lois Bourke highlighted Starlink as lifesaving with winter coming, especially if you run into car troubles. “If someone breaks down or has car trouble, this is a game-changer.”
Resident Heather Pryor praised Starlink during the 2023 wildfire evacuation, when network outages made communication difficult. She hopes for more Wi-Fi points along northern highways.
Currently, the hotspot on Highway 5 is the only publicly accessible Starlink location on N.W.T. highways, but the Department of Infrastructure has expressed interest in expanding to other areas if there are suitable locations with power and accessibility.
The department’s senior communications officer, Conor Holick, stated that the service went live on October 23 and that signage will soon be posted to guide drivers to the hotspot. Travellers can connect to the Wi-Fi network using the password “highway5” when close to the grader shed.
Veteran truck driver Kelly Brown, who frequently travels northern highways, believes Starlink will bring peace of mind to many drivers. The Alaska Highway and North Klondike have 911 emergency spots for drivers, but not in the N.W.T., until now.
SpaceX has partnered with Rogers to bring Starlink Direct to Cell to Canadians. This will bring satellite connectivity to any smartphone soon, anywhere in Canada. This will be a game-changer for Rogers customers living in rural areas.
As for the federal government, they are investing $1.44 billion into Ottawa-based Telesat’s Lightspeed project (well, $2.5 billion in loans) which essentially aims to be a Starlink competitor. The internet service will be sold to companies to then resell to Canadians. Telesat will rely on SpaceX to launch its first Lightspeed satellites.
SpaceX recently confirmed they have over 400,000 active Starlink customers in Canada. Starlink is a satellite internet constellation, designed to provide high-speed internet access globally, especially in underserved areas. As of September 2024, there are 6,426 Starlink satellites in orbit, with 6,371 operational.
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Putting Starklinks along the highway is too logical for the gov't.
All the cellphones carriers should be providing service instead and mandated by the government.