Haines residents are checking out Starlink, a satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk that offers fast-speed service at rates competitive with AP&T.

Starlink plans offer speeds from 50 to 250 megabits per second (mbps) for $100 per month plus $600 for a one time installation kit. The company also claims it will provide more affordable global mobile phone service in 2023, that will allow customers worldwide use without call fees or roaming charges.

Resident Desiree Ranallo, who lives in town, received her installation kit this week.

“I’ve run a few speed tests, so far I’m getting anywhere from 140-210 mbps and my ping has been around 50-100 MS (gigabytes of monthly usage),” Ranallo said. “Through AP&T, paying for the 25 mbps download speed we averaged around 7-12 mbps and about 40 MS.”

AP&T, a Washington-based private phone and internet utility serving many Alaska communities including Haines, said this week it plans to improve service to Klukwan, Mosquito Lake and other areas by replacing lower capacity copper lines with fiber optic cable, but it doesn’t anticipate improved services until 2028.

“The upgrade will see fiber optics replace the lower capacity copper lines to improve speed and lower costs,” said Jason Custer, AP&T’s Vice President of business development.

Currently the highest download speed offered out the highway is 25 megabits per second (mbps), enough for two devices to stream, surf the web and check emails. The fiber optic network will bump up AP&T’s highest offering to 200 mbps, matching the top tier for residents in the townsite. The company’s 25 mbps fiber optic plan costs $140.

AP&T also anticipates the higher connection capacity will substantially reduce costs. The equivalent speed of a plan that now costs $199.95 per month in Klukwan will be $79.95 per month with fiber optic connection. The top plan, 200 mbps download speed, will be $229.95.

AP&T fiber-fed service for Haines subscribers ranges from 6 megabits per second for $60 per month to 200 megabits per second for $300 per month.

Faster service has been an issue for local business owners and government leaders for decades. Summer cruise ship dockings which overload the current cell phone service has been particularly disruptive.

Custer this week touted the benefits of the fiber optics option.

“While we understand the Starlink and satellite services may be better for some, fiber is a well-proven technology and can provide much more resilient, reliable service than satellites and is capable of much higher speeds,” Custer said. “More importantly we also have technicians and customer service reps available locally. I doubt Elon Musk is going to jump into his Tesla and drive up here to offer any customer service.”

A handful of residents have recently begun using Starlink as an alternative to AP&T. Trees and tall buildings are reported to play a role in breaking up continuous internet connection from Starlink satellites, requiring the installation kit to be in an open area clear of any obstructions, a possible downside for Haines residents living in densely forested areas.

Russell Kennedy, who lives off Rutzebeck Road without access to fiber, said he’s pursuing Starlink.

“It’s a much better option for us,” he said. “I’ve got high hopes it will bring a touch of modernity to our otherwise archaic life up the road,” Kennedy said, “Whether people choose Starlink service may have more to do with their situation and location.”

Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket left earth for orbit on Oct. 27, carrying Starlink communication satellites to provide high speed internet for Alaskans and the Arctic regions. The rocket deployed an additional 53 satellites up and down the northern hemisphere. Starlink, which has already launched more than 3,500 satellites into low orbit, is currently establishing an all encompassing mega-constellation around the earth.