I certainly think that what I would call “business by default”, at least here in northwestern Ontario, is essentially a monopoly. We just don't have choices or options.
I think the use of satellite Starlink's SpaceX technology allows, and is the only path forward, for at least indigenous communities and perhaps rural municipalities. Delivering this in a timely manner, scalable, without terrestrial-based solutions is probably the only way that's an effective use of taxpayer dollars to invest in something that's going to help these communities.
I think there is an advantage there. When I look at the universal broadband fund, from my understanding of it—and I'm by no means an expert—the only application that would make sense for indigenous communities to apply for is the rapid response stream. That rapid response stream allows them to apply because of the on-premise component of the Starlink kit, but we have to do that in a quick turnaround. These communities need to understand what they're applying for. The deadline is January 15.
I really think that a lot of this wasn't necessarily intended, but it's written for telecommunication companies; it's not written for SpaceX Starlink. If the goal is to bring Internet and broadband access to these indigenous communities, they're typically closed over the holiday season for two weeks, like many of us taking holidays. They have to navigate COVID and community shutdowns, and we're asking them to do something online, which there is irony to because they don't have that access right now.
Hopefully, we can get some funding through the rapid response stream for these communities. It is not necessarily first-come, first-served, but it is first in, first out, and I think they're at a disadvantage when it comes to that.