Quebec Declines to Find a Match for Starlink, Awards New Agreement Instead
Quebec Government Chooses SpaceX Starlink for Remote Courthouse Internet Installation
The Quebec government has chosen SpaceX's Starlink for providing internet services to remote courthouses, owing to Starlink's superior technological capabilities. The contract, worth $826,000 CAD, includes the installation of Starlink antennas and the provision of monthly service.
Starlink's constellation of over 4,000 satellites, equipped with optical crosslinks, enables the transfer of massive volumes of data daily. This technology makes it possible to cover remote and underserved regions without relying heavily on local ground infrastructure, ensuring reliable, high-speed internet in Quebec’s remote areas.
The Quebec Circuit Court requires a system like Starlink that meets its performance needs, given its low-latency, high-throughput, and wide-coverage benefits. These factors are crucial for dependable internet connectivity in critical public infrastructure like remote courthouses.
In comparison, Eutelsat, a more traditional geostationary satellite operator, does not offer the same level of benefits provided by Starlink’s laser-linked low-Earth orbit constellation. Eutelsat primarily deals with telecom and enterprise customers, while Starlink operates on a direct-to-consumer model.
Despite rising trade tensions between Canada and the US, the Quebec government's decision seems driven by practical and technical advantages rather than geopolitical considerations. The high performance, scalability, and recent technological advancements of Starlink likely outweighed any concerns about sourcing internet services from a US company.
In Ontario, however, a $100-million Starlink contract for connecting rural communities was axed amid trade tensions. The Ontario government has banned US companies from bidding on government contracts in response to tariffs. The Justice Department in Ontario is still exploring other options.
Elsewhere, the Quebec government is working with Ottawa to develop Canadian alternatives to reduce dependence on Starlink. Coalition Avenir Québec MNA Gilles Bélanger stated in February that the province is working towards this goal.
Starlink's advantage lies in its constant refreshing of satellites with new technology. The company is vertically integrated, as it can launch its own satellites and also manage and create its own software for both dishes and satellites.
In 2018, Quebec awarded a $130-million CAD deal to expand high-speed internet access in rural areas using Starlink, which is now complete. There is currently no satisfactory alternative to Starlink technology that can meet the needs of the Circuit Court.
An Alberta company has been awarded the contract for this installation, marking another milestone for Starlink's expansion in Canada. Economics professor Julian Karaguesian, of McGill University and a former federal trade official, has suggested considering alternatives like Europe-based Eutelsat for the Quebec Starlink contract. However, the superior technology of Starlink seems to have sealed the deal for the Quebec government.
- Starlink's technological advances in space-and-astronomy, such as its laser-linked low-Earth orbit constellation, have enabled it to outperform traditional satellite operators like Eutelsat, who primarily operate in the realm of telecom and enterprise.
- Finance aside, the Quebec government's decision to choose SpaceX's Starlink for remote courthouse internet installation is driven by practical and technical advantages, demonstrating a preference for high performance, scalability, and recent technological advancements over geopolitical considerations.
- Despite scholarly suggestions to consider alternatives like European-based Eutelsat for the Quebec Starlink contract, the superior technology of Starlink, combined with its constant technological refreshes, seems to have sealed the deal for the Quebec government.
