BC Ferries is partnering with SpaceX’s Starlink to provide Wi-Fi access, but it’s not going to be for everyone. The test will only be for crews for the ferry service on British Columbia’s coast.
It’s unclear if this move will lead to the return of onboard internet for passengers, which was axed in 2021 (it never worked well anyways).
Speaking at a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade event last week, BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez explained that providing stable internet on ferries has been a challenge due to cost and logistics. While Starlink now offers more affordable options, providing internet for passengers remains a much larger hurdle compared to serving crews of 30 to 40 people.
“The challenge is different when you’re looking at 1,400 passengers on a vessel,” Jimenez said, emphasizing that the company doesn’t want to reintroduce internet service at the expense of higher fares, according to CHEK News (via Tesla North).
Well, Jimenez needs to only look at major global cruise lines that have outfitted their fleets with Starlink. Not all 1,400 people will use Starlink Wi-Fi when on board. Some people tend to enjoy being somewhat offline for the short 1.5 hour trip to and from Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, for example (cell reception is terrible going across the Straight of Georgia).
BC Ferries removed onboard Wi-Fi in 2021 after years of complaints. At the time, the company explained that the number of passengers using the service had surged from 40-50 users in 2010 to over 900 per trip, making it difficult to provide reliable internet without significant costs.
Jimenez said the focus now is on evaluating how well Starlink works for the crew and exploring cost-effective options for passengers in the future. For now, BC Ferries is prioritizing affordability while managing rising costs. Ferry rates have gone up over the years and they look to be going up even more, with aging fleets needing replacement on the horizon.
Lsat year, BC Ferries launched an official app for iPhone and Android.
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Yes, cruise lines offer Internet service aboard their ships, usually hosted by Starlink, however they charge big bucks! These are the prices on Holland America for a 4-week cruise:
– US$352 for single device, basic plan
– US$560 for multiple devices, basic plan
– US$648 for single device, streaming plan
– US$960 for multiple devices, streaming plan
I think BC Ferries should offer Starlink-hosted Internet plans for passengers, but at an added cost to at least recover costs, and perhaps make a modest profit.
wow..I need to bring my own Starlink if I am going on a cruise..haha
BC Ferries is already suggesting potential 30% fare hike in 2028.