Starlink, a satellite broadband service provider that uses a constellation of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver ultrafast and low latency internet across the world, has introduced a new dish and router for its customers. The new dish is smaller, lighter, and more rectangular than the previous one, and that it features an attachable kickstand, improved environmental protection, and a simplified installation process. The new router is also upgraded, with a 3x3 MU-MIMO capability that supports three independent channels of simultaneous traffic, which can improve the speeds and connectivity of multiple devices.
The new dish and router are currently available to all new orders fulfilled in the US, and that they will be rolled out to other regions in the coming months. The new dish and router are part of Starlink’s plan to lower the production costs of its equipment, which are currently subsidized by the company, and to improve the performance and reliability of its service. The upfront cost of the new dish and router remains unchanged at $499, and the monthly service fee is still $99.
Starlink has shipped more than 100,000 receiver dishes since its launch in late 2020, and that it has over 1,800 satellites in orbit, with plans to launch thousands more. Starlink aims to offer global serviceability by the end of 2023, subject to local regulatory approvals, and that it expects to offer top speeds of up to 300Mbps in 2024. Starlink’s service has some of the benefits, such as providing internet access to remote and rural areas, enabling faster and cheaper data transmission, and supporting emergency and disaster relief efforts.
However, Starlink’s service also faces some challenges and criticisms, such as the potential for increased space debris and interference, the need for a clear line of sight to the satellites, and the environmental impact of the dish’s power consumption. Starlink’s service is part of SpaceX’s vision to fund its ambitious plans for interplanetary travel and colonization, and that the company hopes to generate $30 billion in annual revenue from Starlink by 2025.
Starlink’s service competes with other satellite broadband providers, such as OneWeb, Amazon’s Kuiper, and Telesat, which are also developing their own LEO constellations, but are lagging behind Starlink in terms of deployment and coverage. Starlink’s service also compares with other broadband technologies, such as fibre optic, cable, and 5G, which offer higher speeds and lower latency, but are more expensive and less available in some areas.
Starlink’s service is a promising and innovative option for broadband customers, especially those who are underserved by traditional providers, but that it still faces technical, regulatory, and competitive hurdles.
