When you’re a business operating in Alberta—whether it’s a remote construction camp north of Fort McMurray, a retail location in Edmonton, or a rural industrial site on the outskirts of Calgary—reliable internet connectivity is no longer a bonus. It’s a requirement.
For many locations, fibre or cable simply isn’t an option. That’s where Starlink satellite internet steps in. Designed to deliver dependable, high-speed connections virtually anywhere, it is helping Alberta businesses stay productive even in places where traditional infrastructure falls short.
In this blog, we’ll examine the cost of Starlink satellite internet for businesses in Alberta. We’ll look at typical equipment and monthly fees, what factors influence total cost, and whether it makes sense for your operation.
What Starlink Business Service Looks Like in Canada
The satellite-internet provider Starlink has launched a dedicated business offering. In its Canadian portal, it lists “Fixed Site – Local Priority” plans starting at CAD $94 per month for 50 GB of priority data. The hardware cost for that fixed-site business solution is listed at about CAD $2,150.
Below is a snapshot of the published pricing tiers:
- 50 GB per month – CAD $94/month
- 500 GB per month – CAD $238/month
- 1 TB per month – CAD $418/month
- 2 TB per month – CAD $778/month
These rates reflect the “Local Priority” Fixed-Site business offering, which is the most relevant for fixed locations in Alberta (rather than In-Motion or Maritime plans).
What These Numbers Mean for an Alberta Business
Up-Front Hardware Cost
You’ll need to purchase the Starlink dish, mount, cables, and associated kit. In Canada, the figure is roughly CAD $2,150 for the fixed-site kit. (This cost is meant for budgeting purposes and may vary depending on additional equipment or installation requirements.)
Monthly Service Cost
After installation, you’ll pay a monthly subscription fee. The entry-level plan is CAD $94/month for 50 GB of data. If your business uses more bandwidth—typical if you have multiple users, video conferencing, VoIP, or cloud applications—you’ll likely look at CAD $238/month (500 GB) or CAD $418/month (1 TB).
What Bandwidth Fits Your Business?
When it comes to internet service, speed isn’t everything—it’s about matching your bandwidth to how your business actually works. The goal is to balance having enough capacity to keep things running smoothly without paying for more than you need.
- If your business has light internet needs (a few users, basic web traffic, VoIP, and backups), the 50 GB plan may suffice—but monitoring usage is essential.
- Moderate-use businesses with cloud systems, file transfers, and video meetings usually fit the 500 GB or 1 TB range.
- For high-demand sites—multiple users, heavy data uploads, or streaming—the 2 TB plan (CAD $778/month) is the more practical option.
Installation & Practical Factors
Because Starlink internet requires a clear view of the sky (no trees, buildings, or terrain obstructing the dish), proper placement is critical. Some Alberta sites—especially in rural or industrial areas—will need professional mounting or pole work, which can affect both cost and timing.
Benefits of Starlink for Alberta Businesses
As with most technologies, Starlink isn’t perfect—but for many Alberta businesses, its advantages far outweigh its drawbacks. Here’s what makes it an appealing choice, and what to keep in mind before signing up.
Advantages:
For rural or remote Alberta operations where fibre or cable is unavailable, Starlink satellite internet for business provides a dependable, high-speed alternative.
- Quick Installation: Compared with waiting months for fibre line-of-sight or new cable runs, a Starlink dish can often be operational within days.
- Designed for Business: Starlink’s fixed-site business offering includes priority network access, public IP addressing, dashboard monitoring, and dedicated support.
Considerations / Caveats:
- Data Caps: Even though the plans appear generous, the entry-level 50 GB/month is relatively small for modern business usage (video calls, file transfers, backups). Estimating usage carefully helps avoid overages.
- Throughput & Latency: Satellite connections naturally have higher latency than fibre. Starlink performs well compared to older systems, but performance can vary by region or time of day.
- Installation & Mounting: In Alberta’s harsh climates—heavy snow, wind, or remote terrain—the cost and complexity of mounting can increase.
- Extra Costs: While the published hardware cost is CAD $2,150, professional installation, grounding, environmental approvals, or maintenance may add to your total.
- Alternative Options: In urban or suburban Alberta, fibre or cable may still offer lower cost or higher consistency.
Sample Cost Scenarios for Alberta Businesses
Scenario 1: Small Remote Office – Minimal Usage
- Hardware kit: CAD $2,150
- Monthly plan: CAD $94 (50 GB)
- First-year total: CAD $3,328
- After year one: CAD $94/month (≈ CAD $1,128 annually)
Ideal for a small office with light internet needs such as email, VoIP, or basic browsing.
Scenario 2: Growing Remote Business – Moderate Usage
- Hardware kit: CAD $2,150
- Monthly plan: CAD $238 (500 GB)
- First-year total: CAD $4,986
- After year one: CAD $238/month (CAD $2,856 annually)
Perfect for a small-to-medium business handling cloud access, team meetings, and steady online activity.
Scenario 3: Industrial Site – High Usage
- Hardware kit: CAD $2,150
- Monthly plan: CAD $418 (1 TB)
- First-year total: CAD $7,206
- After year one: CAD $418/month (CAD $5,016 annually)
For larger operations that transfer data, monitor systems, or run multiple user networks, this plan delivers the necessary bandwidth.
If usage exceeds 1 TB or 2 TB, expect to move to higher tiers such as CAD $778/month (2 TB). Careful monitoring ensures predictable costs.
How to Budget and Prepare for Installing Starlink
To ensure your Alberta business is ready for Starlink internet, follow these practical steps:
- Conduct a site survey—Confirm you have a wide, clear view of the sky. In many Alberta locations, that may mean roof- or pole-mounting.
- Estimate your actual data consumption—base it on user count, video usage, backups, and file transfers —and compare it to Starlink’s data tiers.
- Budget for installation beyond the kit—Account for mounting hardware, labour, grounding, weatherproofing, and cabling to your internal network.
- Plan for redundancy if required—For near-100% uptime, pair Starlink with a secondary connection, such as cellular or fibre, if available.
- Review contract terms—Clarify one-time vs. recurring fees, termination policies, and overage costs.
- Include ongoing expenses—Ensure monthly fees fit comfortably within your operating budget.
- Future-proof your system—As your data needs grow, confirm how easily you can upgrade to higher tiers without hardware changes.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Starlink has transformed connectivity for Alberta operations, working beyond the reach of cable or fibre. For rural businesses—like oilfield sites, farms, or construction projects in remote areas—it can deliver the reliable, high-speed internet once impossible to get. But for businesses operating in congested cities or towns with strong fibre networks, traditional broadband might be the better choice.
Choosing between them isn’t always simple, and that’s where expert guidance makes all the difference. An experienced provider—like Tridon Communications—who understands both technologies can assess your location, usage needs, and goals to design the right solution for your business.
Trust Tridon for Your Starlink Business Internet
When you choose Tridon Communications to handle your Starlink connection, you’re getting more than equipment—you’re gaining a partner with hands-on experience designing, installing, and supporting communication systems across Alberta.
Tridon helps you evaluate your site, estimate data requirements, compare connectivity options (satellite, fixed, or hybrid), and ensure your network is built for dependable, “ready-to-go” service.
For Alberta businesses that are operating beyond the reach of traditional networks, Tridon Communications and Starlink satellite internet provide high-speed connectivity where it once seemed impossible. Tridon’s technicians manage every stage—from setup to system optimization—so your business stays connected and productive no matter how remote the location.
If you’ve been wondering how your business can benefit from Starlink internet, reach out to Tridon Communications today. Don’t wait for cable or fibre that may never come—let us design a Starlink solution that keeps your business connected, efficient, and ready for growth.
TRUST TRIDON TODAY!