SpaceX is getting closer to making its Starlink satellite internet service available to customers. This week, the company sent out emails to those who showed interest in being part of the Starlink beta testing.
SpaceX is calling the beta test “Better Than Nothing” with the email starting out by saying SpaceX is “trying to lower your initial expectations.”
A screenshot of the email was posted by a Reddit user and says
Expect to see data speeds vary from 50Mbps to 150Mbps and latency from 20ms to 40ms over the next several months as we enhance the Starlink system. There will also be brief periods of no connectivity at all.
As we launch more satellites, install more ground stations, and improve our networking software, data speed, latency, and uptime will improve dramatically. For latency, we expect to achieve 16ms to 19ms by summer 2021.
The Starlink phased-array user terminal, which is more advanced than what’s in fighter jets, plus mounting tripod and Wi-Fi router, costs $499 and the monthly subscription costs $99.
The email recipient notes that there was no mention of a data cap. The email includes a link to order. SpaceX has also created a Starlink mobile app, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.