Starlink satellite internet passes 100K customers – How to subscribe
Elon Musk never ceases to amaze us. If Tesla wasn’t innovative enough, SpaceX has continued to skyrocket productivity, giving NASA a run for its money. SpaceX is sending civilians to space. Tap or click here to see when you can get a spot?
Well, if you thought Musk was done creating revolutionary companies and products, you’d be wrong. Using SpaceX, he has launched satellite internet, and it’s growing fast.
If you can’t get access to typical internet, Spacelink might be the perfect option for you. It just passed 100,000 customers. Here’s how you can become a Spacelink customer yourself.
An overview of Starlink
Starlink is a recent venture, but it’s been in the works for years. Using satellites launched by his company SpaceX, Elon Musk hopes to use them to bring internet to everyone, no matter how rural their location.
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There are currently more than 1,800 satellites in orbit with plans to launch more. Following almost a billion dollars in grant funds from the FCC in 2020, the company really took off. Musk shocked the world by recently announcing he’d shipped nearly 100,000 terminals to new customers.
Musk has no plans to stop growing either. He plans to launch more satellites and send more terminals to new customers as quickly as possible.
Starlink beta
Even though the company has launched over 100,000 terminals, the service is still in beta, and that comes with a range of concerns worth noting.
First, Starlink warns potential customers that as the satellites are upgraded and the system receives service, there will be periods of slow speeds and no connectivity.
Currently, under the beta program, users can expect to see speeds from 50Mb/s to 150Mb/s. But this can vary based on location.
Who can get Starlink beta?
In theory, everyone is eligible for Starlink beta. Currently, it is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and limited to certain geographic locations. It’s meant to serve people who live in areas without access to traditional high-speed internet services.
That being said, those who live in apartment complexes and multi-unit homes can still get access to Starlink as long as they can locate an area for the satellite to live with a clear 100-degree cone view of the sky.
Roof installation is a possibility for those without a ground location, and you can purchase a roof mount kit once you have an active account with the company.
How much is it and where do I get it?
You can sign up for Starlink service by heading to its website here, but be aware the service isn’t available to everyone yet. If you don’t currently qualify, or if they sell out, you likely won’t have to wait very long.
When you arrive at the website, type in your address to check your location’s availability and press order now. If your area is available for coverage now, you’ll be able to sign up.
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If you are currently in an authorized area, you’ll receive a message like this detailing when coverage will be available and the cost of signup now.
While costs may vary based on hardware and location, basic hardware costs $499 plus shipping. Costs are currently $99/month, but this could vary in the future.
Tags: beta program, connectivity, coverage, Elon Musk, hardware, high-speed internet, internet, internet service, Location, satellite internet, space, SpaceX, speed, Starlink, Tesla