BC Ferries expands Starlink satellite internet testing for crew

BC Ferries is expanding its rollout of Starlink satellite internet across its fleet, with recent installations spotted on Spirit-class and Coastal-class vessels. The high-performance, maritime-grade hardware is currently being utilized to provide Wi-Fi connectivity for crew members.

While the service is presently limited to staff, there is speculation regarding potential future passenger access. BC Ferries discontinued passenger Wi-Fi in 2021 due to system demand issues. CEO Nicolas Jimenez previously noted the technical difficulty of providing reliable internet to up to 1,400 passengers simultaneously and expressed a desire to avoid increasing ticket prices to fund such a service.