Starlink has launched a brand new person terminal prospects can get with their starter equipment. As first reported by The Verge, the corporate now gives a rectangular option (PDF) that is smaller and lighter than its unique round one. Customers have to put in that antenna on their rooftop or anyplace 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 an ordinary dish that is 23-inch vast, however the rectangular model is simply 12 inches vast and 19 inches lengthy. It is also solely 9.2 kilos, which is sort of half the burden of its round counterpart. The brand new terminal’s smaller type issue may give customers extra choices on the subject of potential places the place they will 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 prospects entry to its satellite tv for pc web for $99 a month. Customers must pay $499 on high of that for its {hardware} equipment, 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 capable of get that right down to $1,300, it was nonetheless promoting the equipment at a loss.
Shotwell additionally stated on the time that the terminal it is releasing this yr “will price roughly half” of what its present person terminals price and that the corporate might be able to lower that in half once more. The Verge notes, nonetheless, that the {hardware} equipment continues to be being offered for $499 even with the oblong antenna, and SpaceX has but to disclose whether or not it is going to be offered at a cheaper price sooner or later. Potential new prospects who do not thoughts paying the identical worth for it will probably get the oblong terminal after they order a equipment, as long as they’re within the US.
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