Unlimited Satellite Internet in Canada: 2026 Guide
Looking for comprehensive satellite internet info? See our complete Starlink guide or our Roam vs Residential comparison for mobile users.
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Quick Answer: What’s the Best Unlimited Satellite Internet?
Winner: Starlink Residential ($70-140/month) – The ONLY truly unlimited satellite internet in Canada with no data caps, no throttling, and speeds up to 400+ Mbps.
Runner-up: Starlink Roam Unlimited ($189/month) – For RVers and travelers who need internet anywhere.
Legacy providers (HughesNet, Xplore): All have data caps and throttling despite “unlimited” marketing. Not recommended unless Starlink unavailable.
What Does “Unlimited” Really Mean?
When satellite internet providers advertise “unlimited” service, they often mean one of three things:
- Truly unlimited – No data caps, no throttling, no restrictions (Starlink Residential)
- Unlimited with “priority data” – After X GB, speeds throttled to 1 Mbps (Starlink Business, Starlink Roam 50GB)
- Unlimited but always slow – No hard cap, but speeds consistently 1-5 Mbps (legacy providers after priority data exhausted)
Starlink: The True Unlimited Leader
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, revolutionized satellite internet by offering genuinely unlimited data plans with no throttling. Using a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, Starlink provides speeds and reliability that rival terrestrial internet in many areas.
Starlink Residential Plans (2026) BEST VALUE
Starlink Residential – Fixed Location
| Plan | Speed | Monthly Cost | Data Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential 100 | Up to 100 Mbps | $70/month | Truly unlimited – no caps, no throttling |
| Residential 200 | Up to 200 Mbps | $110/month | Truly unlimited – no caps, no throttling |
| Residential MAX | 400+ Mbps | $140/month | Truly unlimited – no caps, no throttling, network priority |
Key Features:
- ✅ Genuinely unlimited data – Stream 4K, download files, game online without worry
- ✅ No throttling – Speeds remain consistent regardless of usage
- ✅ Low latency – 25-40ms typical (good for gaming, video calls)
- ✅ Fast setup – Self-install in 30 minutes, service active immediately
- ✅ Fixed address required – Service tied to one location
- ✅ Hardware – $499 dish or $0 rental (return when cancel)
Best for: Permanent homes, cottages, remote workers, families
Read our detailed Starlink Residential review for speed tests, real user experiences, and setup guides.
Starlink Roam Plans (2026)
Starlink Roam – Mobile/Travel Internet
| Plan | Data Allowance | Monthly Cost | In-Motion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roam 50GB | 50GB full-speed (then unlimited at 1 Mbps) | $70/month | Up to 10 MPH |
| Roam Unlimited | Truly unlimited – no caps or throttling | $189/month | Up to 100 MPH |
Key Features:
- ✅ Use anywhere – Canada, USA, and expanding globally
- ✅ No fixed address – Perfect for RVs, boats, vans
- ✅ In-motion internet – Browse while driving or sailing
- ✅ Coastal coverage – Up to 12 nautical miles offshore
- ✅ Standby mode – Pay $7/month when not traveling (unlimited slow speeds)
- ✅ Works with portable Mini dish – Backpack-sized option available
Best for: Full-time RVers, boaters, digital nomads, seasonal travelers
Compare plans in our Starlink Roam vs Residential guide to decide which is right for you.
Why Starlink is Different
Unlike legacy satellite providers, Starlink uses Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites orbiting just 340 miles above Earth (vs traditional satellites at 22,000 miles). This means:
- Faster speeds: 100-400+ Mbps vs 25-50 Mbps on legacy providers
- Lower latency: 25-40ms vs 600-800ms on geostationary satellites
- Better capacity: Thousands of satellites vs single satellites covering huge areas
- True unlimited: Network capacity allows genuine unlimited data
Performance optimization: Want to maximize your Starlink speeds? Check our guide on 8 tricks to speed up Starlink internet.
Rogers Satellite Service: Emergency Backup
Rogers Satellite (Powered by Starlink Direct-to-Cell)
Not a full internet service – but worth mentioning for emergency connectivity:
- Cost: $15/month (FREE for Rogers Ultimate customers)
- What it does: SMS texting and basic app data (Maps, WhatsApp, X/Twitter) in areas with NO cell coverage
- Coverage: 5.4 million km² across Canada
- Works with: Your existing smartphone (no special hardware)
- Use case: Emergency backup when traveling to remote areas, safety net for cottages
Best for: Supplementing your Starlink internet with emergency texting capability, or Rogers mobile customers who frequently travel to remote areas.
Learn more in our complete Rogers satellite guide including activation instructions and coverage maps.
Legacy Satellite Providers
Before Starlink, these were your only options. They still serve areas where Starlink isn’t available, but their “unlimited” claims come with significant restrictions.
HughesNet
HughesNet (Geostationary Satellite)
| Plan | Priority Data | Speed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 15-100 GB | 25 Mbps download 3 Mbps upload | $50-150/month |
The Reality:
- ⚠️ “Unlimited” = you get 15-100 GB at full speed, then throttled to 1-3 Mbps
- ⚠️ High latency (600-800ms) – unusable for gaming, video calls lag
- ⚠️ Data resets monthly, but throttled speeds make service nearly unusable
- ⚠️ 2-year contracts common with early termination fees
- ⚠️ Professional installation required ($100-300)
Best for: Areas where Starlink is unavailable and basic email/browsing is sufficient
Xplore (Xplornet)
Xplore Satellite
| Plan | Priority Data | Speed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satellite Plans | 25-300 GB | 25-50 Mbps download 2-5 Mbps upload | $70-120/month |
The Reality:
- ⚠️ “Unlimited” = after priority data, throttled to 1-5 Mbps (unusable for streaming)
- ⚠️ High latency (similar to HughesNet, 500-700ms)
- ⚠️ Coverage gaps in some rural areas
- ⚠️ Contracts typically 2 years
- ⚠️ Equipment lease fees add to monthly cost
Note: Xplore also offers Fixed Wireless LTE in select areas, which has better latency but still has data caps.
Best for: Temporary solution in areas awaiting Starlink availability
Complete Comparison Table
| Provider | Plan | Cost | True Unlimited? | Speed | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starlink | Residential 100 | $70/mo | ✅ YES | 100 Mbps | 25-40ms |
| Starlink | Residential 200 | $110/mo | ✅ YES | 200 Mbps | 25-40ms |
| Starlink | Residential MAX | $140/mo | ✅ YES | 400+ Mbps | 25-40ms |
| Starlink | Roam Unlimited | $189/mo | ✅ YES | 50-100 Mbps | 40-80ms |
| Starlink | Roam 50GB | $70/mo | ❌ NO (50GB then 1 Mbps) | 50 Mbps (capped) | 50-100ms |
| HughesNet | All Plans | $50-150/mo | ❌ NO (15-100GB then 1-3 Mbps) | 25 Mbps (capped) | 600-800ms |
| Xplore | Satellite Plans | $70-120/mo | ❌ NO (25-300GB then 1-5 Mbps) | 25-50 Mbps (capped) | 500-700ms |
| Rogers Satellite | Direct-to-Cell | $15/mo | N/A (SMS/app only) | N/A | N/A |
Green rows = Truly unlimited with no throttling
How to Choose the Right Unlimited Satellite Internet
Choose Starlink Residential If…
- You have a permanent home, cottage, or cabin address
- You want the fastest speeds and lowest latency
- You use a lot of data (streaming, gaming, work-from-home)
- You want genuinely unlimited data with no restrictions
- You can afford $70-140/month
- Starlink is available in your area
Choose Starlink Roam Unlimited If…
- You live in an RV, van, or boat full-time
- You travel frequently and need internet everywhere
- You need in-motion internet (driving/sailing)
- You want unlimited data while traveling
- You can afford $189/month
- You don’t mind slightly lower speeds than Residential
Consider Legacy Providers (HughesNet, Xplore) Only If…
- Starlink is NOT available in your area (check availability first!)
- You have very light data usage (under 15GB/month)
- You only need email and basic browsing
- You’re comfortable with slow speeds after data limit
- You understand “unlimited” means throttled after cap
Comparing Unlimited Satellite to Traditional ISPs
If you’re in a border area where both satellite and traditional internet are available, compare your options:
- Bell Fibe vs Starlink – When is fiber better than satellite?
- Rogers Cable vs Starlink – Speed and reliability comparison
- Telus PureFibre vs Starlink – Best for BC and Alberta
- Shaw vs Starlink – Western Canada options
General rule: If fiber or cable is available at your address with similar or better speeds than Starlink, traditional ISPs may offer better value. Satellite excels where terrestrial internet is unavailable or provides very slow DSL speeds (under 25 Mbps).
Cost Analysis: First Year
| Provider | Plan | Hardware | Monthly | Year 1 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starlink | Residential 100 | $499 | $70 | $1,339 |
| Starlink | Residential 200 | $499 | $110 | $1,819 |
| Starlink | Residential MAX | $499 | $140 | $2,179 |
| Starlink | Roam Unlimited | $499 | $189 | $2,767 |
| HughesNet | Mid-tier | $300-500 (install) | $100 | $1,600-1,800 |
| Xplore | Satellite | $200-400 (install) | $90 | $1,280-1,480 |
Important notes:
- Starlink hardware can be rented for $0 upfront (must return when you cancel)
- HughesNet and Xplore often have 2-year contracts with early termination fees ($300-500)
- Starlink has no contracts – cancel anytime
- After year 1, Starlink becomes significantly cheaper (no hardware cost)
Business Users: Consider Starlink Business
If you run a business from a remote location and need guaranteed uptime and priority support, Starlink offers Business plans starting at $185/month with priority data tiers. These aren’t truly “unlimited” (they have priority data limits with throttling after), but provide higher network priority than Residential plans.
See our complete Starlink Business guide for pricing, features, and whether Business plans are worth the premium over Residential for your use case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Starlink really unlimited with no data caps?
Yes, for Residential plans. Starlink Residential 100, 200, and MAX all have genuinely unlimited data with no throttling regardless of usage. Roam Unlimited also has no caps. Only Roam 50GB and Business plans have data limits.
What happens after I use 1TB on Starlink?
Nothing. There is no 1TB limit on Starlink Residential plans. You can use 5TB, 10TB, or more in a month with no speed changes, throttling, or extra charges.
Can I stream 4K video on Starlink without running out of data?
Yes. With Residential plans, stream as much 4K video as you want. Netflix 4K uses about 7GB/hour, so you could theoretically stream 500+ hours per month (16+ hours daily) with no impact.
Is satellite internet good for gaming?
Starlink: Yes. Legacy providers: No. Starlink’s 25-40ms latency works well for most online games. HughesNet and Xplore have 600-800ms latency, which makes gaming nearly impossible.
Do I need a phone line for satellite internet?
No. Satellite internet is completely independent of phone lines. It works anywhere with a clear view of the sky.
Can I use satellite internet in bad weather?
Mostly yes. Light rain and snow don’t significantly affect Starlink. Heavy storms may cause brief outages (5-15 minutes). Legacy providers are more weather-sensitive.
How long does Starlink installation take?
30 minutes to 2 hours. Starlink is self-install – you set up the dish, plug it in, and it automatically aligns itself. Service activates within minutes of setup.
Can I take my Starlink dish to my cottage?
Yes, with Portability. Add Portability ($35/month) to use your Residential plan at a different address for up to 2 months. Or switch to a Roam plan for unlimited portability. Learn more in our Roam vs Residential guide.
Pros and Cons of Unlimited Satellite Internet
Advantages
- Available anywhere in Canada with sky view
- No infrastructure required (no cables, phone lines)
- Fast speeds comparable to cable (Starlink)
- True unlimited data (Starlink Residential)
- Quick setup and installation
- No long-term contracts (Starlink)
- Works in remote locations impossible for traditional ISPs
Disadvantages
- Higher upfront hardware cost ($499 for Starlink)
- Weather can affect service (heavy storms)
- Requires clear sky view (trees/buildings block signal)
- Legacy providers (HughesNet/Xplore) have high latency
- “Unlimited” claims misleading on legacy providers
- More expensive than urban cable/fiber for similar speeds
Bottom Line
In 2026, Starlink has fundamentally changed the satellite internet landscape in Canada. For the first time, rural Canadians can get genuinely unlimited high-speed internet with no data caps, no throttling, and speeds up to 400+ Mbps—performance that rivals or exceeds many urban cable connections.
Starlink Residential ($70-140/month) is the clear winner for permanent homes and cottages. The $70/month 100 Mbps plan makes unlimited satellite internet affordable, while the $140 MAX plan provides blazing 400+ Mbps speeds with network priority for power users.
Starlink Roam Unlimited ($189/month) is unmatched for full-time RVers, boaters, and digital nomads who need unlimited data while traveling anywhere in North America and beyond.
Legacy providers like HughesNet and Xplore still serve customers, but their “unlimited” claims are misleading—all have data caps with severe throttling after priority data is exhausted. We only recommend them if Starlink is genuinely unavailable in your area.
Our recommendation: Check Starlink availability at your address first. If available, choose Residential 100 ($70/mo) for basic use, Residential 200 ($110/mo) for families, or MAX ($140/mo) for power users and large households. Skip legacy providers unless absolutely necessary. For mobile users, start with Roam Unlimited and downgrade to 50GB if you find you don’t need unlimited data while traveling.
The era of truly unlimited satellite internet has arrived—and it’s affordable, fast, and genuinely uncapped for the first time in Canadian history.
