British Columbia Ferry Services Contemplate Canadian Satellite Solutions as Response to Starlink's U.S. Tariffs
B.C. Ferries, a vital transportation service in British Columbia, is re-evaluating its satellite internet options due to ongoing tariff tensions and geopolitical concerns between the U.S. and Canada.
The ferry service has been piloting SpaceX's Starlink service for crew members on northern routes, providing high-speed internet in remote regions. However, the ongoing tariff tensions have prompted British Columbia Premier David Eby to prohibit Crown corporations from awarding contracts to U.S. firms for major projects.
In response, B.C. Ferries is aligning its approach with the broader "Team Canada" strategy, reassessing its satellite internet options, and evaluating Canadian providers in a public procurement process. This reassessment includes considering alternatives like Telesat, a major Canadian satellite operator offering the Telesat Lightspeed™ network.
Telesat Lightspeed is a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation currently under development, but is not expected to launch consumer services until at least 2026. While none of the currently available alternatives offer the same combination of speed, low latency, and global reach as Starlink, Telesat's network provides high capacity, security, resiliency, ultra-low latency, and fiber-like speeds suitable for critical connectivity needs.
B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers Union president Eric McNeely acknowledges the importance of internet access for mariners' safety and family connections. He supports exploring alternative providers given the current political climate, emphasizing the need for reliable communication systems that work in all conditions.
Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford permanently cancelled a $100-million contract with Starlink following U.S. President Donald Trump's 25% tariff on Canadian imports. This move could signal a broader trend among Canadian provinces to prioritize domestic providers over U.S. companies.
As B.C. Ferries conducts its public procurement process, other Canadian providers like Xplore Inc., offering satellite and fixed wireless internet with speeds up to 25 Mbps, could also be in contention for the ferry service's communication technology needs.
The reassessment by B.C. Ferries underscores the broader geopolitical tensions impacting government contracts with American companies and the growing importance of domestic providers in Canada's communication infrastructure.
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