An Internet service provider says new technology is allowing rural Canadians to get more for less.
Xplornet Communications Inc. recently became the first company to offer 4G (fourth generation) broadband satellite service in Canada. And that’s helping people in remote areas access NetFlix, iTunes, YouTube, Skype and other live-streaming signals.
“It’s been a complete game-changer as far as broadband satellite goes,” said Bill Macdonald, Xplornet’s senior vice-president.
Macdonald added that the associated cost has come down, with the $54.99 monthly fee for entry-level 4G service about half of what it was for 3G service through the Xplornet’s old satellite system.
The new service uses the ViaSat-1 4G broadband satellite, which was launched last October. After pilot testing with existing Xplornet customers in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, the company began offering the service earlier this year.
“The uptake has been excellent and the customer feedback from the people using it — we haven’t had one negative response,” said Duane Melchert, whose Red Deer company X-Cell Communications is an Xplornet dealer.
Although 4G service is available through line-of-sight wireless connections to towers, and mobile broadband Internet sticks, these options aren’t always available in remote areas, said Macdonald.
“The great thing about satellite is it covers everywhere.”
New Brunswick-based Xplornet has been offering satellite Internet service for a number of years, but it’s proven inadequate as people’s needs and the demands on the system grew, said Macdonald. It was also cost-prohibitive for many people, he added.
“It’s not an availability gap, it’s an affordability gap.”
Xplornet expects to expand the reach and capacity of its network when another 4G broadband satellite goes up later this year. It also plans to upgrade its existing 3G satellite system to 4G.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com