SpaceX begins public beta testing of Starlink constellation at $99 a month

Author: tosh

Score: 27

Comments: 13

Date: 2020-10-28 01:27:07

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cbozeman wrote at 2020-10-28 04:20:32:

I'm extremely disappointed by this pricing.

However, given the way Tesla Motors started out, maybe they're targeting the well-to-do rural and underserved clientele first, and then as more satellites are launched and in orbit, they'll reduce the price to more reasonable levels.

omgwtfbyobbq wrote at 2020-10-28 04:41:38:

I'm paying $50/month for 10 down in a larger metro area to a provider who effectively has a monopoly. $100/month to help subsidize an alternative to that could be worthwhile.

They probably won't provide service in my area, but it'd be a nice alternative if they did.

Tepix wrote at 2020-10-28 11:43:40:

> I'm extremely disappointed by this pricing.

What are you comparing it to?

If you already have a broadband provider you aren't really in the target audience.

soul_grafitti wrote at 2020-10-28 03:45:00:

No mention of the upload speed. If it's symmetrical this is not bad. If it's <30 mbps - I guess it's still better than nothing.

t-writescode wrote at 2020-10-28 08:55:26:

Some high-end asymmetric cable internet packages in the US don’t even have 30Mbps. My gigabit only has 40Mbps and I got the gigabit for the upload speed.

Tepix wrote at 2020-10-28 11:42:41:

In previously leaked speed tests the upload speed as between 6 and 17MBit/s with most of them around 15MBit/s.

otterpro wrote at 2020-10-29 00:48:08:

I live in a major city in Florida, yet my only choice is Comcast, with $53/month for 25mbps down/5mbps up, but when I tested the speed, it was more like 2.3mbps up! I can pay for higher speed package like Xfinity Blast for $80-$100/month, but I still get meager 10mbps.

willio58 wrote at 2020-10-28 02:34:16:

Crazy thing is there are many Elon fans out there who will shell out this cash just to say they have Starlink. Even if it’s slower than what they have currently.

mrDmrTmrJ wrote at 2020-10-28 03:25:21:

You maybe underestimating the hatred for Comcast :)

fyfy18 wrote at 2020-10-28 03:11:35:

I'm guessing $99/mo for 50mbit+ is faster and/or cheaper than a lot of people in rural (and even not-so-rural) America are paying.

stubish wrote at 2020-10-28 03:47:59:

It is more expensive than Australian NBN connections. But given the problems with the NBN (such as those speeds not being available at all to many people), it will be a game changer if similar prices become available in Australia.

taeric wrote at 2020-10-28 04:10:18:

Would be a massive upgrade for me.

nickphx wrote at 2020-10-28 03:20:15:

I would just to check out the hardware and service..