The UK internet users have started receiving SpaceX’s Starlink internet kits after the service provider received approval from Ofcom. The company got a nod in November 2020.
Elon Musk owns SpaceX, an aerospace company, and the famed Starlink is part of the company. In the US, the Starlink beta started running in late 2020.
The UK license gives Starlink the right to compete with terrestrial internet providers, including BT Group, Bharti Global, and OneWeb – a company that the British government rescued from bankruptcy.
The Cost of the Kit
The Starlink’s “Better than Nothing Beta” kit carries an upfront cost of 439 Pounds, which is equivalent to 591 Dollars. Additionally, the equipment will have a monthly subscription fee of 84 Pounds or 120 Dollars.
The Downloading Speed
One of the people that have already received the kit, Phillip Hall from rural Devon, confirmed that he had received his WiFi router and terminal connections to the satellites on January 1, 2021.
Before receiving the kit, Hall used to get 0.5 Mbps downloading speed from the BT Group. Currently, the equipment runs at 85 Mbps enabling him to run a Zoom quiz with his grandchildren. He attests that the new internet speed is amazing.
In an October 26, 2020 email to its customers, SpaceX had claimed that its subscribers would be getting 50-150 Mbps test speeds. Some users claim that they usually get a download speed of up to 210 Mbps in the US. It seems that the company can meet and surpass its set downloading speed.
Future Plans
Elon Must intends to provide superfast broadband in the world using 42,000 satellites. Currently, Starlink has 830 satellites in orbit. Initially, OneWeb planned to have 650 satellites by late 2020. However, it now plans to have 48,000 satellites, 6,000 more than what SpaceX will run.
SpaceX started its beta service tests in Southern Canada in 2020. Besides the UK, SpaceX has also got approval to enter other major markets, including Greece, Germany, and Australia. Already, the company has received support from the three countries.
Watch the video below for more information on the Starlink Mission.
