Citizens and business owners in Tasiilaq have criticized Tusass for the poor internet, but Tusass announces that they are concluding negotiations with a “LEO” satellite company that will improve connections.

Recently, citizens and tourism stakeholders in Tasiilaq have criticized the poor internet connection as a definite hindrance to business, and that a breakdown stops all activity in the city, where, for example, no one can pay with a card in a store.

In recent times

And that’s not good enough, states Tusass’ director.

Recently, citizens and tourism stakeholders in Tasiilaq have criticized the poor internet connection as a definite hindrance to business, and that a breakdown stops all activity in the city, where, for example, no one can pay with a card in a store.

In recent timesAnnouncement

And that’s not good enough, states Tusass’ director.

– It’s not good enough. I can easily understand the citizens of Tasiilaq. We ourselves are not satisfied, and this applies not only to Tasiilaq, but also to Qaanaaq and Ittoqqortoormiit, and it is very important to us to do something about it, says director Toke Binzer and explains that he has been in contact with the initiators behind the demonstration in Tasiilaq, in order to be able to do something about things.

Toke Binzer emphasizes that the Tusass strategy, which applies until 2028, intends to strengthen supply and operational security, especially in remote areas (radio chains, satellite setups). 

In early 2025, Tusass announced that the company will invest approximately 1.9 billion kroner in submarine cables, fiber, a data center in Nuuk, upgrading radio chains, and entering into satellite partnerships. 

But it is not entirely easy to improve the internet connection in Tasiilaq with the current equipment and installations.

– Unfortunately, it is not easy to solve, but it takes up a lot of space for us. We have created a strategic program and our strategy is to improve the experience of the satellite areas. We spend a lot of time on it and take it very seriously. We know that it is not good enough today, and it should be. We need to reach a level where people can have a digital life, says Toke Binzer.

Greensat and improvements

Toke Binzer stands outside the head office in Tusass by satellites and radio chains that provide the coast with internet connections without submarine cables. 

He explains that internet connections have been improved in Tasiilaq, Ittoqqortoormiit and Qaanaaq, among others, with investments in the Greensat satellite, which was launched in 2023 and went into operation in 2024, and that certain improvements have been made.

– We have already done something. Greensat in itself was an improvement, because that’s what made them get flat-rate internet before it was consumption-based. In addition, the healthcare systems work better, and flat-rate subscriptions have been introduced and prices have been reduced significantly.

– When we lowered prices and increased speeds, we saw that we actually got many more people on board. Of course, we always have to focus on what we can do even better. It is also important to say that we have made significant improvements over the past two years, which does not mean that we are finished. 

-The technical limitations of satellite – especially the high latency – make it inadequate in a society where citizens expect to be able to hold Teams meetings, pay with credit cards and stream entertainment like everyone else, he says.

Tusass has, among other things, sent technicians to Tasiilaq to improve connections. Caching servers have been set up, which store, for example, streamed films locally, so that more users can access them without burdening the connection abroad.

– If some people are sitting in Tasiilaq watching Netflix, you don’t have to go to the USA or Denmark to download a Netflix movie. If someone has watched a movie, it is put on a caching server, and everyone else can watch them from that caching server. This makes it faster on the services that many people use. That is another initiative we have also taken to improve, says Toke Binzer.

New satellite technology on the way

The next big move is to enter into contracts with Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite providers, with Starlink and OneWeb being among the most prominent candidates that Tusass has negotiated with over the past few years. 

These satellites orbit closer to the Earth and can therefore provide faster and more stable internet.

– We are concluding negotiations and hope to be able to sign a contract during the summer. After that, work will begin on ordering, transporting and setting up the equipment – a process that will likely drag on until the construction season in 2026, says Binzer.

Member of Inatsisartut Lars Poulsen (S) was deeply dissatisfied with the fact that Tusass is taking so long to negotiate with satellite companies, and that this has been going on since the previous election period.

– Tusass’ sense of urgency – that is, the feeling that things are urgent – does not always match that of international companies. For example, there are many elements in a contract that must be agreed upon – everything from prices and terms, to who delivers what, and how it is done.

– So in all the contacts I have negotiated with throughout my career – often within mobiles or Telecommunications and Information Technology – it could easily take a year or longer to reach an agreement, unfortunately, says Toke Binzer, who is looking forward to being able to conclude an agreement soon.

Undersea cable is still unrealistic 

Lars Poulsen stated last week to Sermitsiaq that he will present a motion to have a submarine cable built between Iceland and Tasiilaq, to improve the internet connection, in a paragraph 37 question and the answer states that the submarine cable between Tasiilaq and Iceland is estimated to cost 540 million kroner, and that Tusass has no plans for it, due to the price and icebergs in the area, which make it technically risky.

– A cable that is constantly disconnected is not practical, says Binzer, emphasizing that satellite connections are therefore the most realistic way forward.

Not more expensive for citizens

Despite the high costs of upgrading the satellite connections, Tusass promises that the price for the citizens of East Greenland will not increase.

– We have a solidarity pricing system where all citizens pay the same for a product, regardless of where they live, explains Binzer.

The good financial results that Tusass has achieved in recent years are not accidental. According to the director, they are the result of savings with this very purpose in mind – to be able to invest in improvements in the most challenged areas.

The strategy is to improve the satellite areas

Tusass’ goal is clear: Citizens in the satellite areas should be able to live a normal digital life. This includes access to online meetings, streaming, games, MitID, card payments and much more.

– We know it’s not good enough today, but we’re working hard on it. We take it very seriously and are spending a lot of resources on it. It’s clear that there are no quick solutions. But with a new generation of satellite connections on the way and a firm decision not to let geography determine digital access, the hope is that citizens in East and North Greenland will notice real improvements in the coming years – and no longer feel tied down by the digital society, Binzer concludes.

Recently, citizens and tourism stakeholders in Tasiilaq have criticized the poor internet connection as a definite hindrance to business, and that a breakdown stops all activity in the city, where, for example, no one can pay with a card in a store.

In recent times

And that’s not good enough, states Tusass’ director.

Recently, citizens and tourism stakeholders in Tasiilaq have criticized the poor internet connection as a definite hindrance to business, and that a breakdown stops all activity in the city, where, for example, no one can pay with a card in a store.

In recent timesAnnouncement

And that’s not good enough, states Tusass’ director.

– It’s not good enough. I can easily understand the citizens of Tasiilaq. We ourselves are not satisfied, and this applies not only to Tasiilaq, but also to Qaanaaq and Ittoqqortoormiit, and it is very important to us to do something about it, says director Toke Binzer and explains that he has been in contact with the initiators behind the demonstration in Tasiilaq, in order to be able to do something about things.

Toke Binzer emphasizes that the Tusass strategy, which applies until 2028, intends to strengthen supply and operational security, especially in remote areas (radio chains, satellite setups). 

In early 2025, Tusass announced that the company will invest approximately 1.9 billion kroner in submarine cables, fiber, a data center in Nuuk, upgrading radio chains, and entering into satellite partnerships. 

But it is not entirely easy to improve the internet connection in Tasiilaq with the current equipment and installations.

– Unfortunately, it is not easy to solve, but it takes up a lot of space for us. We have created a strategic program and our strategy is to improve the experience of the satellite areas. We spend a lot of time on it and take it very seriously. We know that it is not good enough today, and it should be. We need to reach a level where people can have a digital life, says Toke Binzer.

Greensat and improvements

Toke Binzer stands outside the head office in Tusass by satellites and radio chains that provide the coast with internet connections without submarine cables. 

He explains that internet connections have been improved in Tasiilaq, Ittoqqortoormiit and Qaanaaq, among others, with investments in the Greensat satellite, which was launched in 2023 and went into operation in 2024, and that certain improvements have been made.

– We have already done something. Greensat in itself was an improvement, because that’s what made them get flat-rate internet before it was consumption-based. In addition, the healthcare systems work better, and flat-rate subscriptions have been introduced and prices have been reduced significantly.

– When we lowered prices and increased speeds, we saw that we actually got many more people on board. Of course, we always have to focus on what we can do even better. It is also important to say that we have made significant improvements over the past two years, which does not mean that we are finished. 

-The technical limitations of satellite – especially the high latency – make it inadequate in a society where citizens expect to be able to hold Teams meetings, pay with credit cards and stream entertainment like everyone else, he says.

Tusass has, among other things, sent technicians to Tasiilaq to improve connections. Caching servers have been set up, which store, for example, streamed films locally, so that more users can access them without burdening the connection abroad.

– If some people are sitting in Tasiilaq watching Netflix, you don’t have to go to the USA or Denmark to download a Netflix movie. If someone has watched a movie, it is put on a caching server, and everyone else can watch them from that caching server. This makes it faster on the services that many people use. That is another initiative we have also taken to improve, says Toke Binzer.

New satellite technology on the way

The next big move is to enter into contracts with Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite providers, with Starlink and OneWeb being among the most prominent candidates that Tusass has negotiated with over the past few years. 

These satellites orbit closer to the Earth and can therefore provide faster and more stable internet.

– We are concluding negotiations and hope to be able to sign a contract during the summer. After that, work will begin on ordering, transporting and setting up the equipment – a process that will likely drag on until the construction season in 2026, says Binzer.

Member of Inatsisartut Lars Poulsen (S) was deeply dissatisfied with the fact that Tusass is taking so long to negotiate with satellite companies, and that this has been going on since the previous election period.

– Tusass’ sense of urgency – that is, the feeling that things are urgent – does not always match that of international companies. For example, there are many elements in a contract that must be agreed upon – everything from prices and terms, to who delivers what, and how it is done.

– So in all the contacts I have negotiated with throughout my career – often within mobiles or Telecommunications and Information Technology – it could easily take a year or longer to reach an agreement, unfortunately, says Toke Binzer, who is looking forward to being able to conclude an agreement soon.

Undersea cable is still unrealistic 

Lars Poulsen stated last week to Sermitsiaq that he will present a motion to have a submarine cable built between Iceland and Tasiilaq, to improve the internet connection, in a paragraph 37 question and the answer states that the submarine cable between Tasiilaq and Iceland is estimated to cost 540 million kroner, and that Tusass has no plans for it, due to the price and icebergs in the area, which make it technically risky.

– A cable that is constantly disconnected is not practical, says Binzer, emphasizing that satellite connections are therefore the most realistic way forward.

Not more expensive for citizens

Despite the high costs of upgrading the satellite connections, Tusass promises that the price for the citizens of East Greenland will not increase.

– We have a solidarity pricing system where all citizens pay the same for a product, regardless of where they live, explains Binzer.

The good financial results that Tusass has achieved in recent years are not accidental. According to the director, they are the result of savings with this very purpose in mind – to be able to invest in improvements in the most challenged areas.

The strategy is to improve the satellite areas

Tusass’ goal is clear: Citizens in the satellite areas should be able to live a normal digital life. This includes access to online meetings, streaming, games, MitID, card payments and much more.

– We know it’s not good enough today, but we’re working hard on it. We take it very seriously and are spending a lot of resources on it. It’s clear that there are no quick solutions. But with a new generation of satellite connections on the way and a firm decision not to let geography determine digital access, the hope is that citizens in East and North Greenland will notice real improvements in the coming years – and no longer feel tied down by the digital society, Binzer concludes.