The Starlink beta program was launched in October 2020. Since that time, demand for the service has only increased. As of November 2021, Starlink is available across multiple continents and has racked up an impressive 140,000 users.
A recent study suggests that up to half of all Americans now want to switch to Starlink. This is an impressive statistic, given that it’s been out for just over a year.
So what exactly is Starlink, and how has it become so popular in such a short time?
What Is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet provider. The concept of satellite internet is nothing new. Satellites have long been used for television and radio broadcasting. They’ve also been used to deliver internet to hard-to-reach areas.
But Starlink is the first time the service has been attempted on this scale. SpaceX has so far launched over 1,800 satellites and has plans to launch over 40,000 eventually.
The project’s purpose is to make high-speed internet available throughout the world.
Not everybody is happy about what SpaceX is doing. The increase in satellites makes it more difficult to photograph the stars.
There are also questions about how fast the service will be as more users sign up. But according to the aforementioned study, many people are now on board, with 55 percent of respondents suggesting they’d switch to Starlink for faster speeds, even at a higher cost for their household.
5 Reasons People Want to Switch to Starlink
Starlink is popular because it offers several interesting advantages over traditional internet services. Here are five reasons why people want to make the switch.
1. It’s Going to Be Available Everywhere
Some people want to try Starlink because it represents their first opportunity to get online at a reasonable speed.
Internet is obviously available in the vast majority of the United States. But there are still some areas where internet service is either unavailable or inadequate. This includes remote areas and places where installing cable internet is prohibitively expensive.
Starlink is expected to change this. Regardless of where a person lives, Starlink should eventually provide them with fast, reliable internet.
2. It’s Faster Than Expected
Starlink is expected to be available worldwide. It’s arguably the service’s primary selling point. But not everyone was expecting it to be fast.
Prior to its introduction, satellite internet services have been notoriously slow. As a result, they are primarily used by people who don’t have alternatives. For example, satellite internet has always been popular on ships.
Satellite internet was slow because of high latency. Latency refers to the amount of time it takes for data to travel to and from a server. If the satellites are far away, latency increases and the internet becomes unresponsive.
Starlink doesn’t have this problem. It achieves this by using satellites in low orbit and are therefore approximately 550-1200 km from Earth compared to the 35,000 km distance of traditional satellites.
Other satellite internet providers offer latency at over 600ms. Starlink can offer a latency of 45 ms. This is combined with advertised download speeds of between 50 Mbps and 150 Mbps.
Starlink is, therefore, the first satellite internet provider that’s suitable for demanding activities such as online gaming.
3. Starlink Is Surprisingly Affordable
If you want Starlink, you need to pay a $499 equipment fee. But after that, the service is priced at $99 per month for unlimited data.
Many internet providers charge different prices depending on data usage. This means that Starlink may well be cheaper than what many people are currently paying for a comparable service.
It’s possible that the price will increase in the future. But as it stands, Starlink is potentially very attractive to people who want to save money while still downloading as much as they want.
4. Reviews Are Positive
The Starlink beta program has been highly successful and customer reviews have been positive overall. Many people have been surprised to find speeds that are comparable to cable internet.
The satellite itself is also easy to install, and various videos have been uploaded to YouTube showing people doing exactly that.
Internet providers are often criticized online so the fact that most people are praising Starlink is unusual. Naturally, this makes more and more people want to try the service.
5. It’s Made by SpaceX
Satellite internet is still somewhat new. So it follows that some people are approaching the idea with a certain amount of skepticism.
Starlink has a significant advantage when overcoming this issue. Elon Musk has already proven his ability to deliver electronic cars and to send people into space. It’s likely that many people are more willing to take a chance on Starlink than they would be with a different provider.
Where Is Starlink Available?
Starlink is currently available to anyone living in the US at a latitude of between 45 and 53 degrees. The availability of the service is constantly increasing as more satellites are launched into the sky.
If you’d like to try Starlink, but your location is not yet covered, you can track the project’s progress on a satellite map.
It’s worth noting that Starlink is not yet completely reliable. Customers are even told to expect occasional outages as the satellite coverage is built out.
Starlink is also installed on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, if you want to be one of the first people in your area to get the service, you are advised to put down a refundable deposit of $99.
Can Starlink Replace Cable Internet?
The idea that fifty percent of Americans want to switch to Starlink is obviously not good news for cable internet providers. Some people may even be wondering if satellite internet could replace them.
This is highly unlikely in the short term. Satellite internet is fast, but cable solutions are still considerably faster. Speeds may decrease as more people sign up. It’s also possible that adverse weather may sometimes interfere with the signal.
While satellite internet is unlikely to replace cable, it will become a very popular alternative.
