Starlink is the prodigy of SpaceX that is taking a leap forward each time, by launching its segment of satellites into space. Thus, we are here to throw some light on the most awaited Starlink Review, that you all have been waiting for.
Technology is pacing so rapidly that we see a major technological gap if we look back today. It has not been long enough for the Starlink Internet to mark its presence, however, it seems to sustain for long sustain and is gaining recognition as more and more countries are getting acquainted with it. Starlink Internet is by far not only a fast-speed providing service via a constellation of satellites but its impact is also widespread.
Well, it is true, that we all enjoy fast speed uninterrupted internet at a bare minimum cost? Don’t we? To meet this one expectation, SpaceX has come up with its satellite-driven internet project named Starlink. Starlink is a satellite that provides high-speed internet, worldwide. That will solve all the connectivity problems that come along with using the internet. This service seeks to provide internet connections to almost all by growing a network of private satellites that will be orbiting overhead. Now, it is expanding to more users, and pre-orders for the same are open. Currently, it prioritizes people living in areas where there is no access to high-speed internet.
In this article, we will include everything you need to know about the Starlink Review and the challenges faced by the Starlink internet. As you proceed through the guide you will discover the various facets of the Starlink Internet.
Starlink Review
Starlink is acing the internet game within no time, in the regions it has been made available until now. To get thorough with the Starlink Review, you need to get to learn a little more about its background, and what led to bringing this project up. We will go through the brief history of Starlink Internet in this guide below.
Before getting straight to the review, let’s dig deeper into what Starlink is and what made SpaceX launch this Satellite driven internet service. Starlink is a Satellite internet constellation, launched and operated by SpaceX. It provides Satellite internet Access coverage to 32 countries where its use has been licensed and aims for global coverage. As of April 2022 Starlink consists of over 2,100 mass-produced small satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which communicate with designated ground Transceivers.
Elon Musk the well-known electric car company owner, took the SpaceX Starlink Internet project into his hands to offer the world low-latency fast speed internet. Starlink is a venture that aims to sell internet connections to almost anyone on the planet by way of a growing network of private satellites orbiting overhead. Like that of OneWeb, the agendas of Starlink are solid and clear. Orders are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis within each coverage area. Starlink’s business is accelerating, as well. In February last year, Musk’s company disclosed that Starlink was serving more than 10,000 customers. Musk says that Starlink has shipped more than 100,000 satellite internet terminals to customers in 14 countries.
The Starlink Review is incorporated with everything you are required to know about the Starlink Internet project by SpaceX. Hence, this was a brief history of what Starlink is and what thought led to the establishment of this project. Keep following the guide if you wish to learn more about the Starlink Review.
Starlink Review: Launch
Starlink is indeed the iPhone of the Internet world. The only promising satellite will provide fast-speed internet without interruption or prolonged buffering. As SpaceX continues to launch satellites to expand and support its blossoming satellite service, there’s potential for even more improvements. So despite the wait times, we think Starlink is worth keeping an eye on, especially if your internet service options are limited. While we all wait for service to reach our neighborhood, let’s dig into what we know about Starlink satellite internet so far.
The private spaceflight company SpaceX will provide low-cost internet to remote locations. SpaceX eventually hopes to have as many as 42,000 satellites in this so-called mega-constellation.
The first 60 Starlink satellites launched on May 23, 2019, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The satellites successfully reached their operational altitude of 340 miles (550 kilometers)
SpaceX has launched 2,091 satellites.
SpaceX says the Starlink network is already serving 145,000 users across 25 countries, and the company is already in talks to reconnect the island nation of Tonga to the internet, after a massive volcanic eruption last month severed the undersea cables connecting the Pacific islands to the World Wide Web.
The service advertises speeds of up to 500 megabits per second, and latencies as low as 20 milliseconds. Astronomer Jonathan McDowell, who tracks the constellation on his website, has found there are 1,915 satellites currently in orbit. In total, SpaceX has launched 2,091 satellites.
At least 40 of the 49 Starlink satellites launched by SpaceX last week have been destroyed by a geomagnetic storm, the company announced on Tuesday, dealing an expensive blow to the Elon Musk-backed satellite internet service. Therefore, this Starlink Review will help you get a hands-on idea about the Starlink internet.
Role Of Starlink in The Russia-Ukraine War
The ongoing situation between Russia and Ukraine has only made survival tough for the inhabitants. However, Elon Musk recently challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin to a one-handed fistfight for the future of Ukraine. But, the entrepreneur’s real defense of the besieged country is his effort to keep Ukrainians online with Starlink satellite internet services shipments.
Starlink is a unit of Elon Musk’s space company, SpaceX. The service uses terminals that resemble TV Dishes equipped with antennas and are usually mounted on roofs of any flat surfaces. It helps the rural or disconnected areas get access to the internet.
When the war took place between Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine was the country that faced threats of Russian Cyberattacks and shelling that had the potential to take down the Internet, making it necessary to develop a backup plan. So, the country’s minister of digital transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, tweeted a direct plea to Musk urging him to send help. Later, Musk replied, “Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.”
This was the Starlink Review explaining the role of Starlink in the Russia-Ukraine War.
Starlink Review: Technology Used
Satellite internet technology has been around for decades. It involves beaming internet data, not through cables, but via radio signals through the vacuum of space. Ground stations on the planet broadcast the signals to satellites in orbit, which can then relay the data back to users on Earth.
Using advanced satellites in a low orbit, Starlink enables video calls, online gaming, streaming, and other high data rate activities that historically have not been possible with satellite internet. Users can expect to see download speeds between 100 Mb/s and 200 Mb/s and latency as low as 20ms in most locations.
Starlink Installation
Starlink has gained much hype in the US already, and the launch all over the world is much awaited. However, the installation isn’t really much of a task. Once you have ordered the Starlink Internet kit, you have to unbox it and go by said stated in the pictorial manual.
The question is, how do you set up the $499 satellite service from your own home?
How to Install Starlink?
Starlink users revealed the steps to assemble the speedy satellite internet and set it up in their own homes.
Step 1 Before ordering a Starlink Network, you should first have a Beta location and the Starlink mobile app installed on your phone.
Step 2 Once your Starlink Package has arrived. Unbox the Starlink Setup box. Go through the graphic demonstration card.
Step 3 Take out the Starlink Dish and place it on the stand, and it will automatically get locked. In terms of mounting options, Starlink comes with a fixed Tripod base. However, various options on the Starlink website include a pole mount attachment for $24, and they also have a volcano mount attachment, for instance, if you have a flat base.
Step 4 Plug in the router with the power brick. There are two lights on the power brick. Also, you would want to have this satellite positioned at a place where you get at least 100 degrees of clear sky.
Step 5 Once you have plugged in and powered up, you have to the Starlink application on your phone.
Step 6 You will then see a Starlink Setup window on the screen. Click next to plug everything.
Step 7 Then, connect to Wi-Fi and open the Wi-Fi option on your phone. Click on when Starlink wants to join appears. You got to join the network.
Step 8 Enter the network name and the new password. Whatever you wish to keep, keep a strong passcode for security options. It will then show a re-connect to your Starlink network, and it will automatically get connected.
Step 9 This couldn’t be any easier! Now go back to the Starlink App. It will take some time to configure and get connected to your phone. Sometimes it might take longer, but it doesn’t take more than 5-7 minutes to configure.
Step 10 Once the connectivity is done, you see a significant change of direction of the Starlink dish. It’s up to you if you want to go for a speed test, and once you are through, enjoy the low-cost, super-fast speed internet.
Starlink Installation Cost
The cost of connecting to the internet via Starlink satellite has gone up, with new pricing for the SpaceX service set at $110 per month, up from the original rate of $99. Additionally, the one-time hardware fee for Starlink’s receiver dish is now $599, up from $499.
Now enjoy your high-speed internet at a not much-priced rate.
| Plan | Equipment fee | Installation fee |
| Starlink Internet | $599.00 + shipping | Free (self-installation) |
| Starlink Business | $2,500.00 | Free (self-installation) |
How to sign up for Starlink Internet
After having your Starlink Review Internet Installed and the installation completely done. It is thus, thought over how to sign up for the Starlink Internet. Below are the steps of signing up for the Starlink Internet.
Step 1 Go to Starlink’s website.
Step 2 Enter your email and address to find your service area.
Step 3 See when Starlink estimates it will provide service to your location.
Step 4 Pay a $99 deposit upfront that will be deducted from the monthly fee of $99, the $499 hardware cost, and shipping
Starlink Cost
Starlink prices have recently become a bit confusing, and we will tell you why.
The company recently raised prices for its basic plan, so the monthly cost is now $110 (up from $99 a month). And the equipment cost rose from $499 to $599. There’s also a new business tier of Starlink service. It costs a whopping $500 a month (yes, five-zero-zero), and the equipment cost skyrockets to $2,500.
Starlink Review: Comparison In Prices
The cost of a Starlink satellite is $110 a month for download speeds of 50–250 Mbps. To compare, a satellite internet plan from Viasat ranges from $30 to $170 a month for download speeds of 12 Mbps up to 100 Mbps, and HughesNet plans range from about $65 to $160 a month for download speeds of 25 Mbps.
| Provider | Price | Download Speed | Data Cap |
| Starlink | $110/mo. | 50–250 Mbps | Unlimited |
| Viasat | $30–$169.99 | 12–100 Mbps | 12–150 GB |
| HughesNet | $64.99–$159.99† | 25 Mbps | 15–75 GB |
Starlink Review: Comparison of Equipment Cost
But while Starlink’s monthly cost is more reasonable considering the speeds you get, its $599 equipment cost may put it just out of reach for some.
| Provider | Equipment purchase price | Equipment rental fee | Equipment lease setup fee |
| Starlink | $599.00 | N/A | N/A |
| Viasat | $299.99 (lifetime lease) | $12.99/mo. | $99.00 |
| HughesNet | $449.98 | $14.99/mo. | $99.00 |
Starlink Review: Number of Satellites
SpaceX has already deployed 1,469 Starlink satellites into orbit and is targeting a grand total of 30,000. Together, they will form the infrastructure to back Musk’s plan of delivering high-speed internet to remote regions across the globe.
Starlink Review: Satellites Per Rocket
SpaceX launched 47 satellites and landed the returning rocket on Thursday morning (March 3). A two-stage Falcon 9 rocket carrying 47 Starlink internet satellites launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
According to SpaceX, the Falcon 9’s second stage injected the 49 Starlink satellites into orbit about nine minutes into the mission, reaching an altitude close to pre-flight predictions. The mission targeted an orbit ranging in altitude between 134 miles and 210 miles (210 kilometers and 339 kilometers).
The Name Of the Rocket That Carries The Starlink Satellites
SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket, is the name of the rocket. The satellites successfully reached their operational altitude of 340 miles (550 kilometers) low enough to get pulled down to Earth by atmospheric drag in a few years so that they don’t become space junk once they die.
Starlink Review: Coverage, Speed, and Data
Starlink advertises download speeds of 50 to 250 Mbps for its basic plan and speeds of 150 to 500 Mbps for its premium plan.
Of course, your actual Starlink internet speeds might be slower or faster than what’s advertised.
In a recent report, speed test company Ookla reported that Starlink’s median download speeds hit 105 Mbps during the last quarter of 2021.
This finally brings Starlink’s latency down to its advertised range of 20 to 40 ms, leagues better than other satellite providers with a median latency between 627 to 725 ms.
- Starlink median latency: 40 ms
Starlink Availability
Starlink is mainly available to people living between the 33.6° and 54.9° latitudes in the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and a handful of countries in Europe.1
The majority of Starlink users are located in northern states like Washington, Wisconsin, and Michigan, which are covered by those latitudes. However, some southern states, such as Missouri, have a few lucky residents who receive Starlink service.
Countries Where Starlink Is Available
The Starlink Review article will reveal to us where the Starlink Internet is available. Following are the countries where the Starlink Internet is available.
1. Canada
2. Australia
3. New Zealand
4. Denmark
5. Austria
6. Belgium
7. France
8. Germany
9. The Netherlands
10. The United Kingdom
11. Ukraine
12. South Africa
13. Chile
SpaceX is regularly launching more satellites, which means its availability is continually expanding.
Starlink reported 145,000 users, and subscriptions nearly doubled that number just two months later. And while SpaceX has launched dozens of satellites to build out its constellation, it has also inked a deal to offer in-flight Wi-Fi on American air carrier Hawaii Airlines
Will Starlink Be Good or Worth It?
Starlink users were fairly ecstatic in their overall impressions of the service, with nearly all expecting to keep it long-term. The Starlink review thus can do justice to its worth. As it is seen to be worth buying and worth investing in.
“The experience has been great, support from Starlink has been awesome, and updates keep getting pushed to the Starlink app,” a Maine user said. “I’m extremely happy with everything.”
Users also emphasized a key point that SpaceX has said: that the service is a boon for those in rural areas but not a replacement for the existing internet service of people in cities.
What Are The Challenges Faced by Starlink Internet?
Although, Starlink has gained much fame and is an autonomous name already in the market it still is lacking behind because of some of the reasons stated right below. Thus, the challenges stated below will sum up for an overall Starlink Review.
1. The Weather
The weather has always been a problem for satellite-based services, and Starlink is no exception. Early users in the United States have reported failure and lags due to equipment overheating in hot temperatures. Heatwaves are also becoming more prevalent.
2. Pricing
While it is advertised as a service for everyone, the initial set-up and monthly subscription fees are out of reach for many individuals in the communities Starlink is supposed to help — as I previously stated, $99 per month is too much for many.
When you include terminal and installation expenses, the service is currently only appealing to those who can afford it. While some people in isolated, rural areas of the world may be able to afford such a subscription cost, they will undoubtedly be few and far between.
3. The Number Of Subscribers
Given the significant and ongoing cost of launch, Starlink expects to reach at least 5% of worldwide internet users or tens of millions of people; but, at the current pricing point, it is neither affordable nor cost-effective for the majority of consumers.
To avoid the irritating interruptions we mentioned above, there will need to be demand, and that demand will need to be provided by more powerful, improved satellites. With news that over $900 million in FCC subsidies will be made available to Starlink to aid its objective of providing the internet to rural areas, it appears that government subsidies will be available.
4. The Competition
Of course, Starlink isn’t alone in the online space race. There will be casualties as a result of the competition. According to Reuters, Amazon subsidy Kuiper has a $10 billion direct competitor project, and OneWeb, a bankrupt satellite operator rescued by the British government and India’s Bharti Group, has pledged to compete as well, citing $2.4 billion in investment.
Starlink, of course, benefits from having its own infrastructure: SpaceX, Musk’s sister firm, provides the launch technology, while Starlink builds its own satellites, terminals, and communication chips.
Wrapping Up
This was an entire Starlink Review and we hope we filled in you guys with all the information you were looking for. What are you waiting for? Order for your Starlink Kit and check for its utility, speed, and overall what it caters to. We hope we were able to deliver a helpful guide via this Starlink review. If you have any questions regarding the Starlink review feel free to contact us via dropping your comments in the comment section below.
