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.
Formerly | Barrett XPlore Inc. |
---|---|
Industry | Telecommunications |
Founded | 2004 |
Headquarters | , |
Key people | Allison Lenehan (President) |
Brands | Xplore Mobile Netset Communications |
Services | Satellite Internet, fixed wireless Internet |
Website | xplornet |
History
Xplornet was founded in 2004 under the name Barrett XPlore.[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 250,000 subscribers, the largest number of rural Canadian subscribers of any company as of 2017.[5]
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.[8][9][8]
The new Xplore Mobile brand was announced August 1, 2018. The company promoted that its wireless services would be "built on the values of fairness, simplicity and transparency".[10]
References
- "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
- "Company Overview of Xplornet Communications Inc". Bloombery. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- "Shaw, Xplornet team up to bundle rural delivery". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- Henry, Caleb (October 2, 2014). "Xplornet Charts Path to 100 Mbps Broadband Speed Using HTS". Satellite Today. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- "Xplornet pledges fast internet for rural, remote areas". CBC News. July 28, 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- "Rural internet provider YourLink to come under new ownership". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- "Xplornet Communications Inc. Announces Major Investment in Manitoba - Xplornet". Xplornet. Retrieved 2018-08-14.
- "Ottawa approves BCE-MTS tie-up; deal to benefit Xplornet". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
- "Bell takeover of MTS gets federal approval". CBC News. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
- "Xplornet announces new 'Xplore Mobile' wireless brand in Manitoba". MobileSyrup. 2018-08-01. Retrieved 2018-08-01.