Living outside the reach of cable and fibre should not mean living with slow internet. In 2026, Canadians in rural and remote areas have two main satellite choices for the home: Xplore, a Canadian rural internet provider that offers fibre, 5G, LTE and satellite, and Starlink, SpaceX's low-Earth-orbit service. This guide compares every satellite internet option in Canada, including Northwestel, Galaxy Broadband, Viasat, Hughesnet and Telesat Lightspeed, with current prices, speeds, data limits and the fine print. We put extra focus on Xplore, because it is often the only provider that can offer a rural home more than one technology at the same address.
Quick answer: Start with Xplore. It is Canada's largest rural-focused internet provider, and it can offer fibre (up to 1 Gbps), 5G Ultra (up to 500 Mbps), LTE or satellite (up to 100 Mbps) depending on your address, with professional installation, no long-term contract and 24/7 Canadian support. If satellite is your only option and you want the fastest speeds, unlimited data and low latency, Starlink is the strongest pure satellite service, at $75, $115 or $150 per month before tax.
Check Xplore availabilityCall Xplore: 1-866-630-6955See Starlink plans
Last updated September 24, 2026. All prices are in Canadian dollars and before tax unless noted. Internet plans and promotions are address-based and change often, so confirm the price and technology available at your address before you order.
Satellite internet providers in Canada at a glance (2026)
Only two providers sell satellite internet to most Canadian homes today: Xplore and Starlink. The others serve businesses, specific regions or are still being built.
| Provider | Satellite type | Top speed | Data | Price (before tax) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xplore Satellite | Geostationary (JUPITER 3) | Up to 100 Mbps | 250 to 500 GB at full speed, no overage charges on SAT 100 | Listed from $99.99 to $129.99 per month, equipment included | Rural homes that want local install, Canadian support and other technology options |
| Starlink Residential | Low Earth orbit | 100 Mbps, 200 Mbps or 400+ Mbps (Max) | Unlimited | $75, $115 or $150 per month | Fastest speeds, low latency, remote locations |
| Starlink Roam | Low Earth orbit | Varies | 100 GB, 300 GB or unlimited | $75, $110 or $200 per month | Cottages, RVs and portable use |
| Northwestel | Fibre and satellite, moving to Telesat Lightspeed | Plans of at least 50 Mbps planned on Lightspeed | Unlimited planned | Contact provider | Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, northern BC and High Level, Alberta |
| Galaxy Broadband | LEO and GEO | Varies | Varies | Contact provider | Businesses and critical infrastructure |
| Viasat | Geostationary | Varies | Varies | Contact provider | Canadian businesses via business channels |
| Hughesnet | Geostationary | Not sold as a Canadian home service | Not applicable | Not applicable | United States customers |
Compare more options at your address with our internet plan comparison tool, or read our guides to the best internet service for rural areas in Canada and the best Starlink alternatives in Canada.
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Xplore: our top pick for rural Canada
Xplore has been bringing internet to rural and small-town Canadians for over 20 years, and its head office is in Woodstock, New Brunswick. Unlike a satellite-only provider, Xplore operates four technologies and shows you the best one available at your address: fibre (gigabit speeds), 5G Ultra fixed wireless (up to 500 Mbps with unlimited data), LTE fixed wireless, and next-generation satellite for addresses beyond the reach of towers and fibre. That matters, because a rural home that assumes it needs satellite may be able to get a faster, lower-latency Xplore connection instead. See our full Xplore internet plans and review.
Get Xplore at your address
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Xplore satellite plans and pricing
Xplore's newest satellite service uses the JUPITER 3 satellite, the largest commercial communications satellite ever built. Its top plan, SAT 100, offers up to 100 Mbps, $0 initial hardware, professional installation, an advanced Wi-Fi router and no long-term contract, with a 30-day trial. Plan availability and prices depend on your province and address.
| Plan | Speed (down/up) | Full-speed data | Price per month | Listed provinces |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satellite 25/250 | 25 / 1 Mbps | 250 GB | $99.99 | AB, YT |
| Satellite 50/350 | 50 / 5 Mbps | 350 GB | $99.99 (QC), $109.99 (AB, NT, YT) | QC, AB, NT, YT |
| Satellite 100/500 (SAT 100) | 100 / 10 Mbps | 500 GB, then usage continues with no overage charges | $129.99 | NS, ON, QC |
Prices and availability are address-based and can change. Xplore also notes that speeds vary and that its traffic management policy applies, so check the policy before you order.
Why rural Canadians choose Xplore
- More than satellite: Fibre, 5G Ultra and LTE are available in many rural and small-town areas, all with unlimited data. Xplore's homepage currently advertises 100 Mbps 5G and LTE plans from $49 per month for the first four months, with a $99 installation fee, for new residential customers (taxes extra, subject to availability).
- $0 initial hardware on satellite: Equipment rental is built into the monthly price, and the router is included.
- Professional local installation: A technician from your community installs and sets up your service.
- 100% Canadian-based support, around the clock: Xplore says support agents are based in Canada, include bilingual agents, and are reachable at any time by phone or email.
- No long-term contract: You can change plans without penalty, and satellite plans come with a 30-day trial.
- Accredited: Xplore reports an A+ Better Business Bureau accreditation.
- Cottage options: Xplore promotes fibre and 5G internet for cottages. See Xplore Cottage Internet.
- Refer a friend: Xplore offers a $100 bill credit for you and $100 for your friend on eligible referrals, submitted by December 18, 2026. See the refer a friend program for terms.
Where Xplore satellite falls short
Xplore satellite is a geostationary service, so its latency is much higher than Starlink's, roughly 550 to 600 ms. It handles streaming, browsing, email and most video calls, but fast multiplayer gaming is a poor fit. Upload speeds top out at about 10 Mbps, full-speed data is capped at 250 to 500 GB per month depending on plan, and satellite may not be offered where Xplore has a faster or cheaper technology at your address. If you want the lowest latency and truly unlimited data, look at Starlink below.
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Starlink: the fastest satellite option
Starlink uses a low-Earth-orbit constellation, which is why its latency is around 22 to 25 ms compared with 550 to 600 ms for geostationary satellite. It reports coverage across all provinces and territories and is often the only high-speed option for very remote addresses. See our Starlink plans page.
| Plan | Price per month | Speed | Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential 100 | $75 | Up to 100 Mbps | Unlimited | Select areas only |
| Residential 200 | $115 | Up to 200 Mbps | Unlimited | Select areas |
| Residential Max | $150 | 400+ Mbps advertised, typically 170 to 320 Mbps | Unlimited | Top residential network priority |
| Roam 100 GB | $75 | Varies | 100 GB | Portable, for cottages and travel |
| Roam 300 GB | $110 | Varies | 300 GB | Portable |
| Roam Unlimited | $200 | Varies | Unlimited | Portable |
| Standby Mode | $15 | Up to 500 Kbps | Unlimited slow data | Pause a line during the off-season |
Starlink raised most Canadian prices in May 2026. Hardware is often rented for no upfront charge at rural addresses, plus shipping, but the standard dish lists at about $599 if you buy it, and some addresses may see a demand surcharge at checkout. Upload speeds are generally 20 to 40 Mbps, there is no phone support (help is through the app and online), and plan tiers vary by postal code.
Compare Starlink at your address
Check the exact plan, hardware offer and price for your postal code on Starlink.
Xplore vs Starlink head to head
| Feature | Xplore | Starlink |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Fibre, 5G Ultra, LTE and geostationary satellite | Low-Earth-orbit satellite only |
| Top satellite speed | Up to 100 Mbps | Up to 400+ Mbps (Max) |
| Latency | About 550 to 600 ms (satellite). Lower on fibre and 5G | About 22 to 25 ms |
| Data | 250 to 500 GB at full speed on satellite. Unlimited on fibre and wireless | Unlimited on Residential plans |
| Price from | $99.99 per month (satellite). 5G and LTE promo from $49 for 4 months | $75 per month (Residential 100) |
| Hardware | $0 initial hardware, router included | Free rental at most rural addresses, or buy the dish |
| Installation | Professional local installation | Self-install, or paid professional install |
| Support | 24/7 Canadian phone and email support | App and online help, no phone support |
| Contract | No long-term contract, 30-day trial | Month to month, 30-day trial on residential plans |
| Coverage | Address-based, rural and small-town focus | Reported in all provinces and territories |
The honest verdict: On pure satellite performance, Starlink wins on speed, latency and data. Xplore wins on local installation, Canadian phone support and, most importantly, on choice, because your address may qualify for fibre or 5G from Xplore, which beat any satellite service. Check both before you commit.
Other providers: Northwestel, Galaxy, Viasat, Hughesnet and Telesat
Northwestel (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and northern BC)
Northwestel serves 97 communities across the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, British Columbia and Alberta through fibre and satellite. In April 2026 it signed a multi-year contract for Telesat Lightspeed low-Earth-orbit capacity, and it plans to offer broadband of at least 50 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up with unlimited monthly usage. Northwestel also reports that over 95% of homes in Yukon and the Northwest Territories can get high-speed, unlimited fibre-powered internet. See our Northwestel page.
Galaxy Broadband
Galaxy Broadband, a Calian company, focuses on business and critical-infrastructure connectivity, including LEO and GEO satellite, private 5G and managed failover. It is a fit for mines, farms with business needs, airports and remote operations rather than a typical home plan.
Viasat
Viasat sells satellite service to Canadian businesses, but its unlimited home plans are aimed at U.S. customers. Households in Canada generally do not have a Viasat residential option.
Hughesnet
Hughesnet serves homes and small businesses in the United States and does not sell a standard residential plan in Canada. Xplore's satellite service is built on Hughes's JUPITER 3 satellite, which is the closest a Canadian home gets to that technology.
Telesat Lightspeed (coming)
Telesat is building Lightspeed, a Canadian low-Earth-orbit constellation. It is not yet a service you can order directly for a home, but providers such as Northwestel plan to use it for northern broadband.
Non-satellite rural options
Before you settle on satellite, check for fibre, cable, DSL or wireless home internet where you live. Fibre and cable usually beat satellite on price and latency. Read our guides to fibre vs cable vs DSL, Telus internet plans, Rogers internet plans and the best internet providers in Canada.
Which provider should you choose?
| Your situation | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Rural home in a covered Xplore area | Xplore | Fibre, 5G Ultra or LTE may be available with unlimited data, plus local install and Canadian support |
| Remote address with no towers or fibre | Starlink, or Xplore Satellite | Starlink is faster with unlimited data. Xplore adds local installation and phone support |
| Video calls, remote work or gaming | Xplore fibre or 5G Ultra if available, otherwise Starlink | Lower latency than geostationary satellite |
| Heavy streaming, big households | Starlink Max, or Xplore fibre or 5G Ultra | Unlimited data and higher speeds |
| Seniors and phone-support fans | Xplore | 24/7 Canadian phone support and professional installation. See our seniors internet guide |
| Cottage or seasonal property | Xplore Cottage Internet or Starlink Roam or Standby | Check Xplore first, then compare Starlink's portable plans and $15 Standby Mode |
| Far north (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut) | Northwestel or Starlink | Northwestel's fibre and satellite network serves 97 northern communities |
| Business or farm operations | Xplore Business, Galaxy Broadband or Starlink | Business-grade support and failover options |
Costs and fine print
- Taxes are extra: GST or HST and provincial taxes add roughly 5% to 15% depending on your province.
- Xplore installation: Xplore says a conversion or installation fee may apply. Its current 5G and LTE promotion lists a $99 installation fee, and fees can be higher for complex installs.
- Xplore promotions: The $49 per month offer applies to 100 Mbps 5G and LTE plans for the first four months, after which current in-market prices apply, and it is not a satellite price.
- Starlink extras: Budget for shipping (about $15 to $19), taxes, and any demand surcharge shown at checkout. Prices rose in May 2026.
- Clear view of the sky: Satellite dishes need an unobstructed view. Trees and buildings can cause dropouts.
- Weather and power: Heavy rain, snow and cloud can slow satellite service, and a power outage takes your dish and router offline, so consider a battery backup.
- Speeds are not guaranteed: Providers advertise up to speeds. Use our internet speed test after installation, and read how much internet speed you need.
How to get connected
- Check Xplore first. Enter your address at xplore.ca to see fibre, 5G Ultra, LTE and satellite options, or call 1-866-630-6955.
- Check Starlink. Enter your address at starlink.com/ca to see the plan tiers, hardware offer and price at your postal code.
- Compare price, speed and data. Use the tables above, and read internet speed for gaming or speed for Netflix if you stream or play online.
- Use the trial. Xplore satellite and Starlink both offer 30-day trials, so test real-world speeds before the window closes.
- Improve your Wi-Fi. Place the router centrally and consider a mesh system. See our guide to improving Wi-Fi at home.
Start with a 2-minute address check
See what Xplore can offer at your home, then compare it with Starlink.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best satellite internet service for rural Canada?
For most rural households, the best starting point is Xplore, because it offers fibre, 5G Ultra, LTE and satellite from one Canadian provider, with professional installation, no contract and 24/7 Canadian support. If satellite is your only option, Starlink has the fastest speeds, the lowest latency and unlimited data, while Xplore satellite offers local installation and support.
Is Xplore or Starlink better for rural internet?
It depends on your address. Xplore is better if you want a Canadian provider with phone support, local installation and a chance at faster fibre or 5G at your address. Starlink is better if you need unlimited data, low latency for video calls and gaming, or service in a remote area Xplore does not serve. Check both addresses before you decide.
How much does satellite internet cost in Canada?
Starlink Residential plans are listed at $75, $115 and $150 per month before tax, depending on speed tier and your address. Xplore satellite plans have been listed from $99.99 to $129.99 per month with equipment included. Taxes, shipping, installation fees and address-specific offers can change your total, so confirm prices at checkout.
Does Xplore satellite internet have a data cap?
Xplore's SAT 100 plan includes 500 GB per month at maximum speed, and Xplore says usage continues after that with no overage charges. Other Xplore satellite plans have listed full-speed allowances of 250 GB and 350 GB. Xplore's fibre and fixed wireless plans, including 5G Ultra, have unlimited data.
Is Starlink available everywhere in Canada?
Starlink reports service across all provinces and territories, but plan availability and speed tiers depend on your postal code. Residential 100 and Residential 200 are only offered in select areas, so check your exact address at starlink.com/ca before you order.
Can I get Hughesnet or Viasat in Canada?
Hughesnet markets its home internet service in the United States and does not sell a standard residential plan in Canada. Viasat's home plans are also aimed at U.S. customers, while Canadian businesses can buy Viasat and Galaxy Broadband satellite services through business channels. For most Canadian homes, the practical satellite choices are Xplore and Starlink.
Can I get something faster than satellite in a rural area?
Possibly. Xplore offers fibre up to 1 Gbps, 5G Ultra fixed wireless up to 500 Mbps and LTE fixed wireless in many rural and small-town areas, and these plans have lower latency than satellite. Enter your address at xplore.ca to see which technology is available before you choose satellite.
Do satellite internet plans require a contract?
Xplore satellite plans have no long-term contract and come with a 30-day trial. Starlink plans are month to month with no early termination fee, and Starlink also offers a 30-day trial on residential plans. Hardware promotions and rentals can have their own return terms, so save your offer details.
Bottom line
For most rural Canadians, the smartest first step is to check Xplore, because it can offer fibre, 5G, LTE or satellite at your address, with professional installation and 24/7 Canadian support. If satellite is the only option, choose Starlink when you need unlimited data, low latency and the fastest speeds, and choose Xplore Satellite when you value local installation, Canadian support and predictable equipment costs. Businesses and northern communities should also look at Galaxy Broadband and Northwestel.
Check Xplore availabilityCall Xplore: 1-866-630-6955See Starlink plans
Keep exploring with our best internet service for rural areas in Canada guide, our Starlink alternatives article and the best unlimited data home internet plans.
Sources: Xplore satellite, Xplore homepage, Xplore internet packages, Starlink Canada plan listings tracked in August and September 2026, a June 2026 Topicks Starlink vs Xplore comparison, and the April 2026 Telesat and Northwestel announcement. Prices, plans and promotions are address-based and subject to change without notice.
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