SpaceX debuted its “Better Than Nothing Beta” for Starlink internet service last week ahead of wider availability in the U.S. and Canada this year. If you registered interest in testing Starlink but didn’t receive an invite yet, Elon Musk may have good news for you.
The SpaceX founder shared today that invitations to test Starlink satellite internet will reach “several thousand” more future customers this week. The Starlink team has already advised early testers to expect slower data speeds and ping times during initial testing over the next few months.
SpaceX expects data speeds to increase and latency to improve early next year as more Starlink satellites are deployed in low Earth orbit. Starlink customers can also expect wifi service to occasionally drop during the beta period. Service costs $9.99/month after buying the Starlink terminal and router for $499.
Starlink is targeted for customers in areas that are underserved by existing broadband providers. The service will be critical in these markets that currently rely on archaic data speeds at expensive monthly rates.
Musk also shared that lower latitude states including Florida should expect to see beta access begin as soon as January. Expanding Starlink coverage requires sending batches of 60 internet satellites to orbit on SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Let us know if you’ve applied for Starlink internet service or started testing the “Better Than Nothing Beta”, and stay tuned for much more SpaceX and Starlink coverage!
More
- SpaceX Starlink by the numbers [October 24, 2020]
- Microsoft cloud computing reaches orbit with Azure Space using help from SpaceX Starlink
- Watch: SpaceX launching 57 Starlink satellites with sun visors and 2 BlackSky satellites to space
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