Starlink has launched a new 'Premium' service that costs $500 per month and requires an upfront payment of $3,000. Starlink uses an ever-growing network of satellites to provide internet in more places, including rural and remote areas. Founded in 2015, the company has been building out its network since then, and only exited its beta status last year.

In the US and other countries, the internet gap affects many and especially in rural areas, with internet access via hotspots and antennas not always available. Cable, DSL, and satellite provide slow and sometimes expensive internet services, and can often break down in bad weather. Elon Musk has repeatedly said that the vision for Starlink is to end this connectivity gap, but the new Premium tier reveals another focus.

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The new Starlink Premium service costs $500 per month. However, the starting up cost is likely to be the biggest hurdle for many. The kit, which includes a dish, Wi-Fi router and tripod costs $2,500. The company also charges a one-time fully refundable deposit of $500, bringing the total up to $3,000 before service. Compared to the normal Starlink service, Premium costs five times more but comes with a new antenna that covers “twice the area of our standard phased array with broader scan angle,” according to Elon Musk. Starlink is currently only accepting orders for Premium, with deliveries expected to begin in Q2, 2022.

Speed And Latency: Is It Worth It?

Starlink Premium Campaign Ad

Starlink says that its Premium service doubles the capacity of the normal service, delivering 150 to 500 Mbps with a latency of 20-40ms. The company adds that it's not designed for domestic purposes but for high-demand users, such as businesses, small offices, and “super usersacross the globe. In a follow up Tweet, Musk explained that only a limited amount of users in an area can get Premium, adding that it is "best to order early.” For those who have already paid in advance for the regular service and are still waiting for the company to deliver their kit, Musk assures that antenna production is rising rapidly this year, “so those with orders shouldn’t have to wait long.

While the company promises stable connectivity and better bad weather coverage with its premium upgrade, users have previous complained that the standard Starlink service tends to slow down and drop out, despite being fast. This can be especially problematic for those often taking part in video calls, or engaging in real-time online work and collaboration. Starlink does plan to deploy more and more satellites to deliver better service. At the same time, the number of satellites has raised concerns for some. China reportedly had to twice dodge a Starlink satellite in 2021 and astronomers are concerned over the potential for impact on observations. Still, with delivering internet to rural areas often not possible or expensive, Starlink's internet service could be a solution for many living or working in those areas.

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Source: Elon Musk/Twitter, Starlink