Tag: satellite internet

  • First Gigabit Starlink Dish: Tougher Against Rocket Vibrations

    First Gigabit Starlink Dish: Tougher Against Rocket Vibrations

    Key Takeaways

    1. SpaceX is launching a new Starlink satellite dish for moving vehicles, priced at $1,999, which is its most durable and fastest model yet.
    2. The dish offers gigabit download speeds and can withstand harsh conditions, including drops, hail, and military-grade shocks.
    3. Videos show the dish’s resilience, including tests on a Cybertruck and during rocket landings.
    4. The Performance Kit will enable gigabit Internet speeds in remote areas, with service plan upgrades expected in 2026 without new hardware.
    5. Monthly Internet service plans for the dish range from $65 for 50 GB to $540 for 2 TB of data.

    SpaceX is launching a new Starlink satellite Internet dish designed for use in moving cars and boats, which is claimed to be its most durable and fastest model to date.

    Pricing and Specifications

    This new dish comes in at a price of $1,999, offering superior robustness and gigabit download speeds, a notable upgrade from the $350 Starlink Mini dish which is also intended for mobile connectivity. The Performance Kit is backed by a generous 3-year warranty, with SpaceX stating it can last up to 10 years even under tough conditions. These harsh situations include drops from a height of one meter, hailstones measuring up to 1.25 inches in diameter, and snow with a density of 100 kg/m3. It is also built to withstand military-grade shocks and vibrations from various vehicles, including those used in construction, agriculture, and on the ground or sea.

    Surviving Tough Conditions

    SpaceX has published several videos demonstrating the resilience of the Starlink Performance Kit. In these clips, the dish endures the vibrations from a rocket landing and is shown mounted on a Cybertruck navigating through rough terrain, highlighting its capabilities.

    The new dish is the first in the Starlink lineup to support gigabit Internet speeds. Customers who purchase this dish will benefit from faster download rates once SpaceX activates its gigabit network, which will be powered by its V3 satellites—each as large as a Boeing 737 when extended.

    Future Enhancements and Plans

    According to SpaceX, “Starlink is focused on making network enhancements which will enable gigabit speeds starting in the most remote places on Earth with the Performance Kit.” The company promises that service plan upgrades will become available in 2026 without the need for any hardware changes. Currently, the kit can deliver satellite Internet speeds exceeding 400 Mbps.

    As for the cost, the new Starlink Performance dish is priced at $2,049, which includes shipping and handling. Local Internet service plans for this dish start at $65 per month for 50 GB and can go as high as $540 per month for 2 TB of data.

    Source:
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  • Starlink Mini Dish Prices Drop in US, Still Lags Musk’s Vision

    Starlink Mini Dish Prices Drop in US, Still Lags Musk’s Vision

    Key Takeaways

    1. Starlink Mini’s initial launch price was $599, nearly double Elon Musk’s expected range of $300 to $350, but prices are slowly decreasing.
    2. The Mini Kit has been discounted to $499, with some retailers offering it for as low as $450, though it still doesn’t match the budget-friendly image suggested.
    3. The price difference between the Mini and Standard kits is larger in the US, with the Standard kit currently offered for just $149 until March 31st.
    4. In other countries, such as Germany and Sweden, the Mini is cheaper than the Standard kit, showing less pricing disparity than in the US.
    5. While the Mini is portable and user-friendly for adventurers, most Americans may prefer the Standard dish for better speeds and lower costs, keeping the Mini as a niche option.

    Starlink Mini made its entry in the US market in June of last year, initially marketed as a budget option compared to the Standard Kit. Elon Musk had hinted at a price range of $300 to $350, but it turned out to be almost double that at $599. Fortunately, there seems to be a slow decrease in price.

    New Discounts on the Mini Kit

    Starlink has reportedly slashed the price of the Mini Kit by $100, reducing it to $499 from its previous $599. Additionally, third-party retailers like Walmart are selling it for an even lower price of $450. While this marks a $150 drop from the original launch price, the Mini still doesn’t quite fit the budget-friendly image that Musk suggested. The gap between the Mini and the Standard Kit has grown larger, especially since SpaceX is now offering the Standard dish for just $149 in 27 states until March 31st.

    Price Differences in Other Regions

    The contrast in pricing between the Standard and Mini kits isn’t as pronounced in other parts of the world. For instance, in Germany, the Mini is cheaper at 279 Euros, while the Standard kit costs 349 Euros. Similarly, in Sweden, the Mini is set at SEK 3,359, whereas the Standard is SEK 3,999. Other countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK also show the Mini being more expensive, but the difference is not as significant.

    SpaceX argues that in high-demand areas like the US, a higher price point is essential to manage the number of users and avoid network strain. The company’s main goal is to cater to rural customers, where options for fast internet are either scarce or overly expensive. This could shed light on why they are promoting the Standard dish with subsidized hardware and budget-friendly plans.

    The Appeal of the Mini

    The Mini’s portability and user-friendliness make it ideal for digital nomads and adventurers who prefer to be off the grid. However, if portability isn’t a major factor, most Americans might find the Standard dish to be the more sensible option, thanks to its faster speeds and lower hardware costs. Although the Mini is more affordable than when it first launched, it still remains a fairly costly choice. Currently, it serves a specific niche. There’s hope that prices will continue to decline in the near future. For now, the dream of truly portable and affordable satellite internet feels a bit out of reach for US customers.

    Source:
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  • Starlink Launches Affordable Satellite Internet Plan for Casual Users

    Starlink Launches Affordable Satellite Internet Plan for Casual Users

    Key Takeaways

    1. Affordable Pricing: The new Starlink Roam Internet plan costs just $10/month for 10 GB of data, making it an economical option for users needing extra internet access.

    2. Flexible Usage: This plan can be used indefinitely as a backup for home internet or for travel, camping, and other on-the-go situations.

    3. Additional Data Costs: Users can purchase extra data at a rate of $2/GB if they exceed the initial 10 GB limit.

    4. Higher Tier Options: The next tier for Starlink offers 50 GB for $50/month, while the most expensive plan provides unlimited data for $165/month.

    5. Equipment Costs Remain: The prices for Starlink dishes remain the same, with the Standard Kit at $349 and a current discount on the Mini Kit, but existing users can benefit from the new low-cost plan.

    SpaceX has rolled out its most affordable Starlink satellite Internet plan, which is designed for users who need an extra data source while on the go, or when their home Internet goes down for any reason.

    Flexible Usage

    This appealing Starlink Roam Internet plan can be maintained as a backup option indefinitely, making it perfect for traveling, camping, or simply as a secondary Internet source.

    The most economical Starlink data plan is priced at just $10/month and is available as a selection in the app. It provides 10 GB of data at full speed, with SpaceX charging $2/GB for any additional data usage.

    Pricing Options

    While the next tier for the Starlink roaming Internet plan offers 50GB of fast data, it comes at a cost of $50/month, which many may think is too pricey for occasional use.

    The priciest Starlink Internet plan is $165/month for unlimited roaming data, so this new $10/month option could really be valuable for those who use it only from time to time.

    Some users are even mentioning that, with this price point, they might never cancel their subscription and plan to keep a Starlink dish in their car trunk, just in case they need it.

    Equipment Costs

    Sadly, the prices for the Starlink Standard Kit and Starlink Mini dish remain unchanged at $349 for the Standard kit from Best Buy, although there is a $120 discount on the Starlink Mini Kit now.

    Nonetheless, those who have previously purchased a Starlink dish for home use or travel will definitely find value in the new low-cost satellite Internet plan of only $10/month that SpaceX has introduced.

    Source:
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    Starlink Launches Affordable Satellite Internet Plan for Casual Users

     

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  • Starlink Mini Dish Discount Available Now in the US

    Starlink Mini Dish Discount Available Now in the US

    Don’t let the term “Mini” trick you. The Starlink Mini dish actually comes with a higher price tag than the Standard dish in the US. However, thanks to an ongoing promotion at Best Buy, you can get this portable satellite dish at a nice discount.

    Price Cuts on Starlink Mini

    Best Buy has reduced the cost of the Starlink Mini kit by $100, bringing the price down to only $499. Other major retailers are also providing similar deals; for example, Walmart is selling the dish for $495, while Target and Home Depot have it priced at $499, until stocks last. Even though this isn’t the lowest we’ve seen for the Mini—it dropped to $449 during Black Friday and the Christmas sales—it’s still a good bargain, especially considering how uncommon discounts on Starlink kits tend to be.

    Benefits of the Starlink Mini

    The Starlink Mini stands out for its ability to provide high-speed internet wherever you are, even in areas lacking cellular coverage. Its size is comparable to that of a usual laptop, making it easy to carry in a backpack. The Mini features a combined design that merges both a Wi-Fi router and satellite dish into one, which means you won’t need to set up a separate router or deal with a complicated installation. All you need is an unobstructed view of the sky, a power bank, and a compatible USB cable to start binge-watching your favorite Netflix series in remote locations. As for speeds, you can anticipate download speeds ranging from 20Mbps to 100Mbps, with upload speeds reaching up to 25Mbps. The service plans kick off at $50 for the Mini Roam plan, which includes 50GB of data, while the unlimited plan costs $150.

    Where to Buy

    Best Buy, Walmart, and Target are all offering these deals on the Starlink Mini dish. Don’t miss out on these savings if you’re looking for portable internet solutions!

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  • Starlink Launches in 4 New Markets in Just 5 Days

    Starlink Launches in 4 New Markets in Just 5 Days

    Active since 2019, Elon Musk’s SpaceX subsidiary, Starlink, has deployed over 7,000 small satellites in low Earth orbit as part of its satellite internet constellation. The smallest of these satellites weigh about 500 pounds, while the largest can go beyond 2,700 pounds. The service first opened to a select group of users at the end of October 2020, which was more than five years after the public announcement in early 2015 when the SpaceX satellite development center started in Redmond, Washington. The full commercial rollout took place in early 2021, initially covering the US and Canada.

    Expanding Reach

    As of now, more than four million users are enjoying Starlink’s services across over 100 markets. Recently, four new regions were added to the network, starting Monday. Canada received the Starlink Mini, along with three small insular areas that previously had no access to the service. These areas are Nauru, Timor-Leste, and Cape Verde.

    Future Developments

    The official Starlink coverage map indicates that next year will see the addition of markets like Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey, Tunisia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Bolivia, and Cambodia. However, there are still territories with unspecified release dates for Starlink, including popular tourist locations such as Egypt, Thailand, and Taiwan. In the United States, the average download speed for Starlink users peaked above 100 Mbps but has since struggled to regain that level, currently hovering around 80 Mbps.

    For those interested in learning more about Starlink, “The Science Behind Starlink and How It Actually Works: A Comprehensive Analysis of Elon Musk’s Vision for a World Without Internet Boundaries” is available on Amazon for $7.99 in Kindle format, which is a 47% discount. The paperback version is priced at $14.99.

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