Now the interesting thing is … what kind of download speeds will I get? And more importantly, what about the upload speed?
Taken from Engadget … SpaceX’s Starlink is taking another small step towards expanding its public beta test by opening up pre-orders to budding customers. Whereas previously you could register your interest for the chance to sign up to the satellite internet service, entering your details now gives you the ability to put down a $99 deposit. You’ll then get a target coverage date of either 2021 or 2022 based on your location, along with the ability to pay via credit card (no Bitcoin here, we’re afraid).
Additional charges include $499 for the Starlink Kit, including a Wi-Fi router and dish, and extras for shipping and tax. The small print states that preorders are fully refundable and can take upwards of six months to fulfill, adding that “placing a deposit does not guarantee service.”
Starlink’s public beta test began late last year for people in the US, Canada and the UK, with more than 10,000 customers already using the service in the span of three months, according to a SpaceX FCC filing. The same document, which seeks designation for the company as an eligible telecommunications carrier, also revealed that SpaceX has more than 1,000 satellites in orbit. The aim is to build a network of tiny satellites that can beam broadband internet to hard-to-reach locations where getting decent speeds can be tricky due to a lack of ground infrastructure.
Source: Engadget
