Xplornet

Xplornet Communications Inc.[1] is a Canadian rural internet service provider and mobile network operator. It is the largest rural fixed wireless broadband service provider in the country. It is headquartered at Woodstock, New Brunswick.

Xplornet Communications Inc.
FormerlyBarrett XPlore Inc.
IndustryTelecommunications
Founded2004
Headquarters
Woodstock, New Brunswick
,
Canada
Key people
Allison Lenehan (President)
BrandsXplore Mobile
Netset Communications
ServicesSatellite Internet, fixed wireless Internet, mobile
Websitexplornet.com

History

Xplornet was founded in 2004 under the name Barrett Enterprises.[2]

In April 2012, Xplornet entered into a partnership with Shaw Communications to market bundles of its Shaw Direct satellite television service with Xplornet internet service.[3]

In 2014, the company purchased capacity on ViaSat-2 and EchoStar XIX as part of a plan to expand its service area to all of Canada by 2017.[4][5]

In January 2017, Xplornet acquired the Saskatoon-based competitor YourLink.[6]

In November 2017, Xplornet acquired Manitoba-based fixed wireless provider Netset Communications. With the deal Xplornet retained the Netset brand and Netset continues to operate out of Brandon, Manitoba as a separate division of Xplornet.[7]

Services

Xplornet provides fixed wireless internet access to remote areas through a combination of satellite internet as well as LTE and WiMAX fixed wireless networks. It owns part of the lifetime capacity of ViaSat-2 and is expanding its 4G network. These networks support approximately 400,000 subscribers, the largest number of rural Canadian subscribers of any company as of 2021. [5]

As with other telecommunications companies, some Xplornet programs are funded in part by federal and provincial government grants.[8]

Xplore Mobile

On February 16, 2017, Bell announced that as part of its acquisition of Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS), it would divest a portion of its wireless subscribers to Xplornet. The divestment is a condition of the deal intended to preserve the presence of four major wireless carriers in Manitoba post-merger (Bell also divested a larger portion of MTS's wireless subscribers to Telus). Xplornet will receive 24,700 MTS subscribers, as well as 6 retail locations, and wireless spectrum. Bell entered into agreements with Xplornet to provide tower access, roaming, and devices for a period of time while it establishes its new mobile network.[9][10]

The new Xplore Mobile brand was announced August 1, 2018. The company claimed that its wireless services would be "built on the values of fairness, simplicity and transparency".[11]

COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Xplornet customers reported increased issues with connectivity speeds. According to Lis McWalter, a Carling, Ontario resident and chair of the West Parry Sound SMART Community Network, speeds are so slow that audio calls are impeded, and said “Even at the best of times we don’t get the speed that’s promised.”.[12]

References
  1. "Learn more about Xplornet and rural internet in Canada". Xplornet. Retrieved November 22, 2017. Headquartered in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Xplornet Communications Inc. is one of Canada's leading broadband service providers
  2. "Company Overview of Xplornet Communications Inc". Bloombery. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  3. "Shaw, Xplornet team up to bundle rural delivery". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  4. Henry, Caleb (October 2, 2014). "Xplornet Charts Path to 100 Mbps Broadband Speed Using HTS". Satellite Today. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  5. "Xplornet pledges fast internet for rural, remote areas". CBC News. July 28, 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  6. "Rural internet provider YourLink to come under new ownership". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  7. "Xplornet Communications Inc. Announces Major Investment in Manitoba - Xplornet". Xplornet. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
  8. "Government programs". Xplornet.com. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  9. "Ottawa approves BCE-MTS tie-up; deal to benefit Xplornet". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  10. "Bell takeover of MTS gets federal approval". CBC News. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  11. "Xplornet announces new 'Xplore Mobile' wireless brand in Manitoba". MobileSyrup. 2018-08-01. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  12. "Rural Internet Users Frustrated by Slow Speeds". The Sun. 2020-03-26. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
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