Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starlink satellite internet services have been having subscribers since October 2020. The steady growth was observed when SpaceX told in a presentation to federal regulators last week. It is said that currently, it has 400,000 subscribers all over the world, in 36 countries.
Furthermore, the company is working on providing its services in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. In March, it was known that Starlink has 250,000 subscribers. These customers include both consumers and customers. Recently it is well known that SpaceX has been sending on numerous Starlinks to Ukraine as the war continues.
At the start of the year, the company has around 145,000 subscribers, showing that the huge increase in numbers was only this year. Last year, SpaceX started sending out satellites to lower orbit, which will enable high-speed internet anywhere in the world. The company has been constantly adding more satellites, to provide faster connectivity across a wide range. Compared to broadband satellites, these will be able to cover larger areas across the globe.
Furthermore, during the call with the Federal Communications Commission, it was noted that Starlink is active in 48 US States. On SpaceX’s Starlink website, there are only a few countries where it is yet to be showing “coming soon. Those are 0 Afghanistan, Cuba, China, Belarus, North Korea, Iram, Russia, Syria, and Venezuela.
The services
SpaceX has launched about 2,500 Starlink satellites to support its global network. The company expanded its Starlink service options this year. Starlink’s base service is $110 a month, excluding the $599 up-front cost for hardware. A premium option costs $500 per month, plus $2,500 for hardware. The company also recently added a “portability” fee of $25 per month for users who relocate their satellite antenna, as well as a “Starlink for RVs” option that lets customers pause service on a month-to-month basis.
The company is also expanding into the inflight Wi-Fi market and signed deals with air carriers Hawaiian Airlines and JSX to add Starlink antennas on aircraft. Pending regulatory approval, SpaceX expects to begin delivering service to commercial aircraft in about a year. Hawaiian’s plan for complimentary connectivity with Starlink could increase pressure on rivals to offer free Wi-Fi for travelers, something currently available on JetBlue Airways. For example, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said in 2018 that the airline wants to offer complimentary, high-speed Wi-Fi on its planes. It was tested on some flights in 2019. The installation of Starlink terminals, also known as antennas, is expected to start next year on Hawaiian planes.
