The Wall Street Journal reports that SpaceX’s satellite-based internet will soon raise its pricing structure for users in “limited-capacity” zones. Further coverage by Ars Technica reveals that in an e-mail sent out to affected customers, the company announced that Starlink subscriptions would increase to $120/ month:
“As a current customer in an area with limited capacity, your monthly service price will increase to $120/month beginning April 24th, 2023. For new customers in your area, the price increase is effective immediately. If you do not wish to continue service, you can cancel at any time on your account page.”
Previously, customers had already dealt with a jump in price from $99 to $110 last year. The additional $10 hike is set to go into effect on April 24th of this year. Due to sparse competition, this could leave customers in rural areas with very little choice. Even areas just north of large cities could be subject to this data drought.
However, if you’re in a zone with excess capacity, SpaceX is giving those customers a $20 break, bringing customer subscriptions down to $90. So, if you have better coverage, you pay less. If you have less coverage, you’re paying more.
Having lived in a city where the only option was a sketchy broadband company, I know it sucks to be in an ISP dead zone. But unfortunately, customers not only have to wait for service providers to build the infrastructure needed to bring fiber or copper to their area, but they also have to deal with local and state-imposed red tape.
If you’re in a rural area that doesn’t have an internet service provider through copper or fiber, check out the Starlink map to see if you’re covered by SpaceX’s satellite. Currently, the Eastern half of the US is on the waitlist, as is California. Most of Canada, Alaska, and Mexico are within the technologies coverage.
According to Starlink, the waitlist is deemed an “Area … currently at capacity. Order to reserve your place.”
The last time we heard about StarLink was when the Federal Government gave the company the green light to provide internet access to moving vehicles.
[Source: The Wall Street Journal] [Source: Ars Technica]ClownfishTV.com strives to be an apolitical, balanced and based pop culture news outlet. However, our contributors are entitled to their individual opinions. Author opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of our video hosts, other site contributors, site editors, affiliates, sponsors or advertisers. This website contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. We disclaim products or services we have received for review purposes, as well as sponsored posts.
