(Image: SpaceX)
SpaceX has launched a public beta test of the Starlink satellite internet system for users in the US and Canada.
Starlink is a global satellite internet system that has been actively deployed by SpaceX since mid-2019. Right now, the constellation consists of almost 900 sats.
According to Elon Musk, the goal of the company is to launch 12K satellites. The first group of about 1,500 sats will be located in 550-kilometer orbits, then SpaceX will add more in higher altitudes.
A few months ago, the company began a closed beta testing among employees and selected users.
And now, some of the users who had already applied for participation began to receive letters of invitation to participate. Simultaneously, the Starlink app appeared in the Android and iOS app stores.
The app helps to tune the antenna, including choosing the place that will be the least overlap with other buildings or trees.
(Image: SpaceX)
The company called the program Better Than Nothing Beta and explained in the letter that it does not want to create high expectations among users and talked about potential problems.
So, at first, sometimes they will face the lack of Internet, and the speed and latency will vary between 50 and 150 megabits per second and 20 and 40 milliseconds.
In addition, users first will need to purchase a phased array antenna, bracket for it and a Wi-Fi router for a total of $499, as well as pay taxes and shipping costs.
The cost of the service itself is $99 per month. Testing will work in the northern states of the United States and southern regions of Canada.
In 2021, the company plans to reduce latency in the same territory to about 16-19 milliseconds, expand work to the southern states, and achieve almost global work by the end of the year.
At the same time, Elon notes that the company will be launched in new countries only after permission from local regulatory authorities.
Sources:
Hi. Modern people are very dependent on the Internet, but some are unable to connect because they have no Internet service providers at all. To correct this injustice, you should consider using Starlink satellite Internet, which will work even in the most inaccessible areas. There is information on how to become their subscriber on the company’s website, and if you have any questions, just contact starlink and they will answer them, and this will allow everyone to make a decision about using their services.
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