News Summary

Quebec is reconsidering its $130 million deal with Starlink for providing high-speed internet to remote areas as the province collaborates with Ottawa to develop a Canadian satellite alternative. This initiative aims for ‘connectivity sovereignty’ to ensure Canada’s ownership of its internet infrastructure. The current three-year contract with Starlink ends in June, with the province deliberating on whether to renew it or pivot to a domestic solution. The federal and Quebec governments have invested $2.5 billion in loans to Telesat, an Ottawa-based company that plans to launch satellites with SpaceX’s assistance. However, Telesat’s service won’t be available until 2027. Gilles Bélanger, Quebec’s internet project head, emphasized the risks of long-term reliance on Starlink, including data exposure concerns. Despite Starlink’s advanced deployment of around 6,000 satellites, Quebec is keen on exploring a Canadian-built solution to ensure secure and sovereign internet connectivity.