Elon Musk has confirmed that many more Starlink internet beta invites will be going out this week. This comes after a previous rolling out of emails to those interested in SpaceX's satellite internet constellation. While the exact date for the next batch of invites isn’t yet clear, the previous ones did provide insight into how much the service will cost beta users.
SpaceX's Starlink aims to offer high speed internet access to users worldwide, with a focus on areas where access is either expensive, unreliable, or not available at all. The system uses small satellites featuring solar cells, some of which are even visible from certain locations on Earth, although Musk says this won’t always be the case. This past April, Musk confirmed on Twitter that private beta testing would begin three months later, with beta testing going public six months from that date. One user seemingly unveiled the terms and conditions for beta testing in July, which included requiring a credit card from all beta testers. Recently, price details emerged, with beta testers paying a monthly fee of $99, in addition to $499 for the Starlink kit. In total, that comes to $598 just to join the beta testing, followed by the ongoing monthly cost
Musk confirmed via Twitter that “several thousand more” participation invites are due to be on their way to recipients. According to the email sent back in June, speeds may vary initially during the beta testing, with a range of 50 Mbps to 150 Mbps expected. With further beta testers on the horizon this week, this may mean testers will see a change in these speeds, and at a cost of $598, hopefully it’s a change for the better. Starlink currently has almost 900 satellites in orbit, after launching 60 additional satellites this past October. Between the increase in satellites, and the increase in beta testers, recent events appear to be a sign of how well SpaceX is progressing toward its goal of providing a revolutionary and unique form of internet connectivity.
Offering internet access to areas where it was previously unavailable, or at least difficult to obtain, is incredibly important. Working from home has become a part of daily life for many this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even when the pandemic is over, it’s likely that working from home will remain a regular activity for many. Therefore, providing quick and reliable internet access, especially in rural areas, means that people will be able to provide for themselves and their families. Online schooling has also been on the rise this year, making internet access equally important for students looking to continue their education.
Of course, work and school are not the only things people use the internet for. Entertainment has also largely moved online, with Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, all popular alternatives to traditional cable. Likewise, cable channels including NBC and CBS are offering their own streaming services. In a world that is so reliant on the internet, whether it’s for making a living or watching a favorite TV show, SpaceX offering high speed access to a great number of consumers, and in rural areas, is only going to become more important.
Source: Elon Musk/Twitter
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