Beta testing of the StarLink satellite internet service is now available to the area.
StarLink, which is run by Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, is working toward providing high-speed satellite internet to remote areas around the world.
Councillor Bill Vrebosch, who has been an advocate for the service through his work with the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), recommends looking into the service.
“I think everybody who is not sure about their service to look at this thing,” he said.
Vrebosch says connectivity within North Bay is good, but nearby areas like East Ferris experience slower connectivity.
“This pandemic, if it’s done anything for us, has identified the north as being an area where there’s not enough (internet). You should be able to get it all over the place,” he said.
Danny Whalen, president of FONOM, says he’s heard of “incredible speeds” from early users of the beta test.
According to its website, StarLink’s internet sees speeds from 50 mb/s (megabits per second) to 150 mb/s. For context, “good” internet speed is considered to be anything above 25 mb/s.
To sign up for the service, users have to input their address, and StarLink determines whether or not the area is in service.
MyNorthBayNow inputted addresses from North Bay and surrounding areas, finding availability in East Ferris, Bonfield and Corbeil.
The service is not yet available in Powassan, Callander and West Nipissing.
The company says it intends to have “global coverage of the populated world” in 2021.
Vrebosch says the timing of StarLink’s launch is helpful, as the pandemic has forced many to rely on the internet.
“If we want this place (North Bay area) to develop, we have to make sure internet is available at everyone’s house with the highest connectivity possible.”
