The Fastest Satellite Internet in Xplore History Is Coming

If you've been following our social media, you know that we're launching our next-generation satellite Internet service this year. It's going to be the fastest and most reliable satellite we've ever launched. It will be able to connect customers to speeds up to 100 Mbps, which means four times the speeds that some Xplore satellite customers are getting today. Did you know we've increased the speeds on select satellite beams to 50 Mbps? Contact us or visit xplore.ca for more info or Check Internet Packages to see what is available at your home.

In preparation for the launch, our resident satellite expert, Daniel, is answering some of the most biting questions customers have about JUPITER™ 3 (J3):

What goes into launching a new satellite?

Once the aircraft is built and tested, it is transported to the launch base in Florida and secured to a Space X rocket ship. After the satellite is launched and positioned in the right orbit, we perform signal testing for 4-6 weeks. We check that the satellite is sending the right signals down to the terminals on earth, and vice versa, making sure communication has been established, that the speeds are correct and working to the specs that we asked the manufacturer to build it for. Once that testing is complete, we will be ready to deliver service to our customers.

When is J3 launching?

The satellite will go up in the air July 28, 2023, and our next-generation satellite service will launch in early January 2024.

How does J3 work?

A satellite works by broadcasting beams from outer space to the terminals on Earth. Each of those beams will cover a specific service area.

When will J3 be available?

Our next-generation satellite service will be available in early January 2024. These timelines may change slightly as there are many factors involved in launching the world’s largest telecommunications satellite into space but our goal is to deliver service as quickly as possible.

How many people will J3 service?

The coverage is very extensive, with millions of Canadians living in the regions covered by our beams. This includes 80% of our current customers.

What is the difference between J3 and other satellite technology?

Both of Xplore’s satellites use GEO technology. The most distinct difference between J2 and J3 is that J3 will provide faster speeds. It will provide, in some cases, four times the speed available today.

Starlink uses LEO or low earth orbit satellite technology where our GEO satellites are high orbit. Starlink may offer good service, but customers need to self-install without access to 24/7 technical support if they need help or something goes wrong. The hardware can also be prohibitively expensive, at roughly $800.

There will be no cost for hardware with Xplore’s J3 service. Our skilled local technicians will visit the home to install the equipment and if our customers ever require assistance, our technical support team is available 24/7.

How will this new technology benefit our customers?

Our current satellite service is limited to 50 Mbps. Customers who currently subscribe to Xplore’s 25 or 50 Mbps satellite packages will be able to upgrade to twice or four times the speed they currently get. That’s huge for customer experience. They will be able to enjoy fast service and everything that comes with it including being able to stream video, do conference calls and have multiple devices online at once. Customers who switch to J3 will also get 10 times their current upload speeds.

Customers who choose not to switch, and instead remain on their service from the J2 satellite, will still experience an improvement in service, especially during peak hours in areas where many people are connected to the beam at once.

How is J3 installed? Will I use the same satellite that’s on my home?

All customers will need new equipment at home to use J3. A highly skilled technician will visit to install the new J3 terminal and there is no upfront charge for that equipment.

What is Xplore doing to prioritize our existing customers?

We are making sure that Xplore’s existing customers have the opportunity to enjoy J3 first. We will be communicating with our existing customers well ahead of the launch of the service to ensure they're among the first to get this new offering.

Can I sign up today?

Today, customers can sign up for updates at xplore.ca/J3. From there, we will communicate the date customers are able to pre-order.

How fast is J3?

J3 will provide download speeds up to 100 Mbps!

What can I do at home on a J3 Internet connection?

Because it’s a faster service, customers are going to be able to enjoy faster streaming, so your Netflix experience is going to be way better. On video calls, you can expect a better experience with no perceived lagging and no interruptions. We’re also going to be offering packages with large amounts of data so customers will have enough data to enjoy everything the Internet has to offer.

How reliable is J3?

We have the latest technology in our indoor and outdoor units so even in harsh weather conditions it will be very reliable.

What sets Xplore apart from competitors?

A few things:

1. Our dedicated Canadian customer service and 24/7 technical support.
2. We’re focused on bringing the best Internet service to rural markets in Canada to support rural life.
3. We will have different plans to accommodate different customers and at a reasonable price.
4. We will not require a contract - we believe in the quality of the service and that customers will remain with us regardless of a contract.
5. No expensive equipment fees.

What is the difference between J3, fibre and 5G?

Xplore wants to offer the best service for our customers, based on their needs and their location. Location is key for a customer to decide which service to use. You can use the Check Availability tool to see what is available in your neighbourhood. If the customer is in a fibre area, fibre will definitely be the fastest service and the most reliable. But, if fibre is not available in that area and 5G is, then 5G would become the best option from a speed and reliability perspective. If fibre and fixed wireless are not available in that location, then that’s when satellite will come into play.

That said, it’s still a great option, not because it’s the only option but because J3 will offer great speed and reliability. These aren’t competing technologies. They all complement each other so that Xplore can have a great network everywhere in Canada, even in areas where it is prohibitive to build out fibre and fixed wireless infrastructure. That’s satellite’s time to shine.

As you can see, the future is bright for Xplore's customers. We hope this blog post was helpful in your understanding of J3.

We're excited to launch this new satellite and bring you faster, more reliable Internet.

If you have any questions about Jupiter 3 or Xplore's plans for the future of satellite Internet in Canada, sign up to receive updates at xplore.ca/j3.