Starlink’s new rectangular satellite broadband dish is smaller and lighter than before – TechCrunch
Starlink has launched a brand new person terminal clients can get with their starter package. As first reported by The Verge, the corporate now affords a rectangular option (PDF) that’s smaller and lighter than its authentic round one. Customers have to put in that antenna on their rooftop or wherever excessive up with a transparent view of the sky to have the ability to entry its satellite tv for pc web.
The unique model is a normal dish that’s 23-inch vast, however the rectangular model is simply 12 inches vast and 19 inches lengthy. It’s additionally solely 9.2 kilos, which is nearly half the load of its round counterpart. The brand new terminal’s smaller type issue might give customers extra choices relating to potential places the place they’ll set up it. As well as, the oblong terminal comes with extra accent choices, together with an extended pole customers can merely stick within the floor in order that they now not need to mount the antenna on their rooftop.
SpaceX launched Starlink as a beta service in late 2020 and provided clients entry to its satellite tv for pc web for $99 a month. Customers must pay $499 on high of that for its {hardware} package, although, which incorporates the antenna, its stand, energy provide and a WiFi router. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said in August that the unique dish price $3,000 to supply, and whereas the corporate was in a position to get that right down to $1,300, it was nonetheless promoting the package at a loss.
Shotwell additionally mentioned on the time that the terminal it’s releasing this 12 months “will price roughly half” of what its present person terminals price and that the corporate could possibly lower that in half once more. The Verge notes, nevertheless, that the {hardware} package continues to be being offered for $499 even with the oblong antenna, and SpaceX has but to disclose whether or not will probably be offered at a cheaper price sooner or later. Potential new clients who don’t thoughts paying the identical worth for it might probably get the oblong terminal after they order a package, as long as they’re within the US.
Editor’s notice: This text initially appeared on Engadget.
