Starlink setup

Starlink is a satellite constellation project by SpaceX that is under development. This is a decade-long project that was announced by the CEO of SpaceX in January 2015. This project aims at providing low-cost internet connections in remote areas all over the world. Starlink has eventually grown to around 2,000 satellites to date and it will continue to grow in the coming years. But technically it is stated that the Starlink internet connection will be made available only in those areas where SpaceX is licensed to provide the services as per the permissions of the national jurisdiction.

Research, manufacturing, development, and orbit control teams are continuously working for the success of the Starlink project. All these teams are working in the SpaceX satellite development unit situated in Redmond, Washington.

The first two Starlink test crafts were launched by SpaceX in February 2018, and these test crafts were named TinTinA & TinTinB. Starlink promises to deliver a high-speed broadband internet connection to a large number of consumers belonging to remote areas as well.

SpaceX Starlink Cost

SpaceX plans to accelerate its services as more and investors are showing interest in its Starlink project. The current capital amount of SpaceX has reached up to $74 Billion as of now.

Moreover, Starlink offers a no-contract plan for its customers along with the complete refund and return of all the equipment within 30 days of booking. You can easily cancel your services and will get a refund of the deposit amount of $99 before the services are rendered at your place.

Starlink’s equipment cost reaches more than $500 along with shipping and handling costs. Elon Musk stated that the company will try to decrease this cost as low as $300 to $250, if possible.

How Much is Starlink?

As per the recent updates, Elon Musk's company SpaceX plans to provide a high-speed internet connection in the rural areas for $99 per month with around $499 one-time set-up and equipment charges. The cost of Starlink internet connection for the first year of installation will be around 1.58 lacs per user and for the second year, it will eventually decrease to 1.15 lacs including all the taxes and the duties.

Starlink has started taking orders as of now and is determined to fulfill them within the next 6 months. According to the recent reports, it is said that the cost of $99 for an internet connection is pretty much but to this Elon Musk is ensuring people that paying this amount will be worth it, especially for the people of remote areas who don't have access to the reliable internet connections.

Starlink has even introduced a premium plan worth $500 with a download speed of 50-150 MBPS. This premium plan has an initial cost of $2,500 for equipment and installation.

Starlink is still in its Beta phase, but you can deposit $99 as a booking amount even if the Starlink broadband is not available at your place. This will help you to be the first one in the line when it will be available in your area.

SpaceX Starlink Setup

SpaceX's Starlink setup broadband connection is becoming more popular with each passing day with around 10,000 users all over the world, despite Starlink still being in the beta phase. These users have shared 5 easy steps to set up a Starlink broadband connection easily at home.

You can set up the Starlink broadband connection on your own by following the simple steps given below:

First of all, you need an open space to mount the Starlink dish. As it needs 100 degrees of open space to receive the high-speed internet signals from the satellites.
Secondly, open the box and you will see the instructions in the form of pictures with no words.
Next, you need to build the kit using the instructions and attach the rod of the terminal to the tripod. After this, you will find that the router is already connected to the terminal and the cables.
Next, you need to power up the Starlink router. After plugging in the cable into the power source you will see the two white lights on the power brick.
Then finally, you need to download the Starlink app and click on the 'Start Setup' button. Open 'WiFi Setting' and set up your WiFi name and password and then connect it with your smartphone and enjoy your internet connection.

Starlink Installation

SpaceX provides a lot of accessories for the installation of Starlink broadband. You will be provided with a router and the cables. The installation doesn’t even require technicians. You just need to mount the Starlink dish on your rooftop and route the cables inside your home and install it on your own with help of SpaceX's mobile app of Starlink, which is available for all android and iOS phones. This mobile app has an analyzing function that detects the optimal view of the sky around your home or office using your phone's camera. The only thing that you need to keep in mind is that the Starlink dish requires a clear view of the sky to receive the high-speed signals through the satellites. If you are residing at a place with tall trees or buildings, then opting for Starlink broadband will not be a good option for you until more satellites join the Starlink constellation to provide internet connectivity at all places all over the world without any hindrance.

The company even plans to provide mobility options to the users, after installing and activating enough satellites in the Starlink constellation.

Starlink Internet Speed

Consumers can expect a speed of 50-150 megabits per second (MBPS) in most of the locations with a latency of around 20 to 40 milliseconds. In one of his tweets, Elon Musk even stated that he expects the download speed to reach a maximum of 300 MBPS by the end of 2021.

As of now, the internet speed of Starlink broadband varies according to the time and location of the services, to which Starlink's website states that with the launch of more satellites the networking software, internet speed, latency, and uptime will improve eventually.

When Will Starlink Be Available?

Starlink is currently working in its Beta phase and is available to people residing from 44 to 53 degrees latitude in countries like the US, Canada, Netherlands, Austria, etc. SpaceX plans to extend its availability to a greater extent by the end of the year 2022.

However, the expansion of availability depends on the number of satellites joining Starlink's mega constellation.

Where is Starlink Available?

Elon Musk had announced the availability of Starlink broadband connections all over the world. But to date, it has been limited to specific regions of the selected countries. Let's read more to know about the availability of Starlink in detail.

The countries that are currently getting the services from Starlink's broadband connection include the US, UK, Netherlands, France, Canada, Germany, Austria, Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Portugal, Australia, and New Zealand. As per Elon Musk, this network will continue to grow with increasing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites in the constellation.

As per the recent updates, the Starlink constellation will need around 10,000 satellites to provide the complete global coverage of the internet connection, which is just 20% of the total as of now. According to the recent FCC surveys, Starlink was available to around 0.08% of American consumers at its launching phase of Beta at the end of December 2020. At that point of time, Starlink was providing a download speed of 100 MBPS to all its customers. Since then SpaceX is continuously working to improve its services.

According to CNBC reports, it is stated that all the initial customers of Starlink are satisfied with its services despite the initial warning of 'brief durations of no connectivity' during the Beta phase of Starlink.

How Many Starlink Satellites Are in Orbit?

SpaceX has added around 1,993 Starlink satellites in the orbit till now. At the start of this year, 49 new satellites were added to orbit to improve internet connectivity. The company has long-term goals to add around 42,000 satellites into Starlink's mega constellation by the end of 2027. These 42,000 satellites will help the company to achieve its goal of providing high-speed internet connectivity to all the remote areas all over the world. Each Starlink satellite has a life span of around 5 years, but SpaceX is improving with each passing day along with every deployment of the satellites.

Currently, the satellites are launched by Falcon 9 & Falcon Heavy Rockets, but SpaceX is also working on the development of Heavy-lift starship rockets that are completely reusable launchers, specially designed to replace Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy Rockets.

Takeaway

Starlink has gained a lot of popularity in a very short period. Despite the high costs and the limitations in the availability of Starlink broadband connections around 750,000 people have already placed orders and booked their slots for Starlink's broadband connection.

Observing the increasing popularity of Starlink, it can be concluded that it has a great future in the coming years.