KENORA – Space X has been blasting Starlink satellites into the stratosphere quite regularly over the last little while. Now, the high-quality internet service provider has reached its pinnacle goal of providing maximum global internet coverage to the most remote parts of the world.
For Northwestern Ontario, where the internet is practically non-existent in the most remote parts of the region, Starlink might be the way to connect homes to the vastness of the world wide web.
Because Starlink is available to a large geological base, The Kenora District Service Board offer financial assistance to individuals that have purchased and activated their Starlink or do not have access to reliable, high-quality internet in the District of Kenora.
With the support of the Federal government of Canada’s Universal Broadband Rapid Response Stream project, KDSB will be supporting 3,000 underserviced Indigenous and Non-Indigenous households in 44 communities across the District of Kenora by helping them connect to Space X’s Starlink internet service.
The KDSB will offer two streams for applications open to the entire District:
- Internal applications for individuals and families who are already existing KDSB clients and are deemed eligible.
- Broader public rebate program to anyone who has a permanent residence (rent or own) within the Kenora District or Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities (including outside of the Kenora District), and who has purchased a Starlink kit on or after May 20, 2021.
However, there are certain restrictions.
The Connecting the Kenora District Rebate Program is for people with permanent residence within the region; therefore, businesses are not eligible to apply. It is also limited to one Starlink kit rebate per person/household, and Starlink kits purchased by NAN for student homes are ineligible for the KDSB rebate. The rebate program will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis.
Starlink rebates are limited to Starlink cell capacity and project funding; those who apply may not necessarily receive a rebate.
The deadline to apply for a rebate is August 31, 2022, or until project funding has been fully allocated.
Those interested in applying must provide:
- Proof of kit purchase on or after May 20, 2021
- Photo of installed Starlink kit
- Latitude/Longitude of address
- Speed Test
Applications for the rebate stream can be accessed here.
