The Yukon government is exploring alternatives to Xplornet internet – one option being Elon Musk’s SpaceX satellites, according to the minister of Highways and Public Works.

“I do know that there are other service providers ... there’s also, on the horizon, new technology,” Richard Mostyn said Wednesday.

The Anik F2 satellite – owned by Telesat with services provided by Xplornet – currently provides internet service to areas around Dawson City and Watson Lake, serving approximately 200 Yukoners.

Many of them live in the remote bush at considerable distances from the communities.

In August, Xplornet announced that the Anik satellite would be decommissioned, leaving those customers without internet beginning Jan. 1. 

Lobbying from the territorial and federal governments to extend the satellite’s life was answered earlier this week. Xplornet announced it would be extending the service beyond this winter, buying the Yukon some time to replace it.

Mostyn told reporters that Xplornet hasn’t said how long the extension will be, and the satellite will still be decommissioned eventually.

That’s because it’s been in service for about 16 years and is at the end of the technology’s life, according to the company.

“I’m thinking two years, I think that satellite is scheduled for decommissioning in 2025,” Mostyn said.

“What I’m looking for is time for residents, for businesses, for tourism operators to find alternate service providers.”

SpaceX’s low Earth satellite system was approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to provide internet services in Canada last month.

Mostyn said that system is being beta-tested, and reaching out to SpaceX is on his “to-do list.”

The minister said he has already spoken with Total North Communications, a Yukon-based satellite service provider.

“They have got some capability to actually provide this service to Yukoners,” Mostyn said.

“They said they just needed time to be able to assess what the needs were, and actually be able to deploy the satellite technology.”

Accessing service through Northwestel Inc. may also be an option, though Mostyn said he doesn’t know the degree of technological investment required. 

Mostyn said buying time from Xplornet was important because solving the issue in the dead of winter would be challenging.

“It’s a lot easier to do this in the summertime – I was working with Xplornet and Telesat to make sure that that service gets extended so we have a summer to be able to assess our options,” Mostyn said.

Larry Bagnell, the Yukon’s MP, issued a press release Thursday, saying he has been in frequent communication with Telesat and Xplornet.

“I have appreciated that all parties involved in these discussions have recognized the seriousness of this issue, and I thank them all for their co-operation, and their commitment to ensuring that northerners do not lose their connectivity, especially not during the middle of winter, and in the midst of a global pandemic,” Bagnell said.