Starlink announces a new subscription without waiting for dishes
SpaceX has announced a Starlink RV subscription, and there is currently no waiting list for dishes.
There is no waiting list at this time, SpaceX says on its website. All orders are shipped soon after the order is placed.
With an influx of orders expected, the company cannot promise fast delivery for long. The company adds: Offer is subject to network and equipment availability.
- And SpaceX explains that the new RV subscription is ideal for those who use an RV and want to get online on the go.
- The company cites camping trips and other activities in rural or remote areas where Internet access is unreliable or unavailable as useful model cases for the new service.
- RV subscribers have to pay $599 for the dish and $135 per month for internet access. Compared to the cost of the long-established residential service, the hardware cost is the same, and the monthly fee is $110.
The new subscription also provides the ability to pause and unpause the service, allowing users to customize their service according to their travel needs, thus better controlling their spending.
However, there are some things to consider. For example, Starlink broadband works where SpaceX only provides active internet coverage. Communication is also not available while the car is in motion, although SpaceX is working on adding this to the service.
Starlink lets you skip the wait with an RV subscription
The new subscription offers the best solution, in other words, it deprioritizes network resources compared to other Starlink services, which SpaceX says leads to service degradation and slower speeds in congested areas and during peak hours.
It also adds that posted speeds and uninterrupted use of the service are not guaranteed during peak hours, indicating that service degradation may be more severe in areas listed as queued locations (for regular Starlink service).
Customers can expect download speeds of between 5Mbps and 100Mbps when expanding the service, compared to speeds of 50Mbps and 250Mbps with the regular service.
- Starlink recently launched a portability service, which is slightly different from an RV. SpaceX says the portability is ideal for customers who travel a few months a year, with the ability to use the same dish.
- Existing Starlink customers can add portability for an additional $25 per month on top of the $110 monthly fee.
- And at the residential service address, portability customers can access top internet speeds. But similar to RV's, they can get slower speeds in crowded areas and during peak hours.
- Customers can try an RV subscription for up to 30 days. And if customers are not satisfied with the service, SpaceX offers a full refund of the hardware costs.
SpaceX's Starlink Internet service is powered by a network of about 2,000 satellites in low Earth orbit.
Earlier this year, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said: "Starlink currently has more than 250,000 customers in about 25 countries.