As the federal government continues to push towards providing 98% of the population with high-speed internet by 2026 and 100% by 2030, a new report from Opensignal examines how SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband are performing in the race to close the digital divide. This is broadband through cell towers instead of fibre lines laid down manually by kilometre.
While both technologies offer solutions to expand connectivity, FWA broadband provides a more consistent experience across Canada and in urban areas, whereas Starlink performs better in rural regions.
Starlink’s download speeds outpace FWA in remote areas, making it the best option for those without access to traditional broadband. However, the satellite provider’s performance has seen a decline.
Between February 2024 and August 2024, Starlink’s average download speed dropped by more than 15Mbps, while FWA speeds remained steady. This could signal capacity limitations for Starlink, as growing subscriber numbers strain bandwidth in some regions. As more users sign up in densely populated rural areas, congestion is slowing speeds down noticeably. But with SpaceX consistently launching new Starlink satellites every week, the constellation continues to grow and evolve. There are no competitors at this point for global satellite high-speed internet.
Despite this, Starlink still delivers more than twice the speed of FWA in rural locations, including parts of Ontario, where broadband coverage is spotty. In urban areas, the two services perform similarly, with FWA offering a more stable connection.
Recently, we’ve heard of Quebec rethinking the renewal of its Starlink deal, while Ontario also saying it will axe its similar deal if U.S. tariffs hit Canada. Those stuck in the middle? Rural residents that need high speed internet access.
Opensignal suggests that while Starlink is currently the best option for many rural users, the long-term future of Canada’s internet access may depend on aggressive FWA expansion and new alternatives like Ottawa-based Telesat (with its $2.4 billion in taxpayer loans) are expected to launch in 2027—but will require the help of SpaceX to launch its satellites.
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It's been amazing.
It all sounds good, but I won't be buying an American service until all the tariff and annexation threats from them end.
lol, so many are falling for the trolling joke of annexation. You know it is a virtually 100% impossibility right (even if we wanted too)?
If you wanna be a part of the US, better head down that way. Being a natural born Canadian and a cancer survivor. I sure as F don't want any part of that for-profit healthcare mess they have south of the border. It's bad enough having to deal with the cancer and the treatments, one shouldn't have to worry about being financially raped during that time as well…
You're free to move down there though
good god are you an idiot. Where do you get your conclusions from? LOL
You say it's impossible, but look what Hitler tried to do… Or more recently look at what your Russian idol, Putin is doing to Ukraine
Replying to the right thread?
Our federal government is intentionally failing on the whole tariff file . No parliament for the most important time in 50 years . Trying to silence the opposition debate . Disgusting . The whole reason we re in this tariff situation and so dependant on the US is Justin Trudeau and the LIEberals . Carney included . Had we started selling our natural gas to Europe over a year ago we would not be so vulnerable.
Trudeau , Carney and the rest of the lying Liberal party are to blame .
I really hope Canadians aren't gullible sheep this time around . We just watched all the Liberals completely go against everything they've preaching for the last decade just to win an election.
The only way for change is to vote out the Liberal NDP corruption party as far away from government as possible.
We couldn’t sell LNG to Europe or anywhere else but the US because we don’t have an LNG export facility, yet. The first one in Canada will be ready for operation this year in Kitimat BC, the wrong side of the country for exporting to Europe. There are more under construction and/or have been proposed, it doesn’t happen overnight.
Don’t let the facts get in the way of your diatribe though, you know, the one you learned from some other far right disinformation machine.
While I empathize with the sentiment, are you giving up your mobile phone? Both iOS and Android are predominantly developed in California. There's no obvious answer here of course – just awkward tradeoffs.
Exactly! I've asked those around me that very questions. How far will your pointless boycott of America go.
We live in a rural community and rely on starlink as its the only option (and its awesome!). I can't believe how short sighted people are. Telesat is a 2.5B bag of garbage, I doubt they'll ever get a satellite up lol.
Canada's population of 40m to 335m America's.. We have tons of govt debt, bad infrastructure, no military, we sell raw materials and buy back the finished goods in to many industries(lumber, oil, ag, etc)…. why aren't people mad at the government for getting us in this position! We need an election! That's what
Just wondering, is Canadian Gst and Pst charged on Starlink services ?
So then why did Trudeau and Carney give Telsat in Quebec Billions of dollars of taxpayer money as loan interest free for 5 years for satellite internet when they're using Starlink
Maybe because Libtards are bribed and corrupt?
I live in cottage country (Haliburton) and have Starlink, from which I get great performance. One thing this report doesn't seem to capture is FWA summer weekend performance.
When the cottagers arrive each summer weekend the local cell towers tend to get overloaded and speeds crater. While it's better than it was 5 years ago – slowly but surely more towers are being installed – summer weekend performance can be poor.
The other issue in Haliburton is how hilly it is. Depending on your line of sight to the nearest cell tower, FWA may be good or terrible. Starlink of course has issues with heavily treed lots. So it's really YMMV.
I'll continue to buy American products in the USA (living in Montreal, it's just 1.25 hours to drive). They're of better quality an taste. They're also cheaper regardless the crazy currency exchange rate. I rather to support capitalism in the USA, than neo-Marxism in Canada.
Should pack your bags and move there permanently
Why?
Canadian satellite service, highly unlikely. We are completely dependent on outside actor's to get anything off the grground, and our satellites would probably full of Chinese spy gear.
Canadian satellite service, highly unlikely. We are completely dependent on outside actor's to get anything off the grground, and our satellites would probably full of Chinese spy gear.