SpaceX Starlink is working to build the world’s most advanced broadband satellite infrastructure to connect the entire world to high-speed internet. SpaceX already beams internet service to over 250,000 customers living across 30 countries, including in remote communities where internet was not previously available. Unlike other satellite networks, Starlink is easy to access with a phased-array antenna and Wi-Fi router that can be installed by the customer without any professional technician. The easy installation enables customers to take the Starlink user terminals anywhere they go and simply plug-in the hardware into an electricity outlet and pointing the antenna at a clear view of the sky to access the internet.
Today, May 5th, SpaceX officially announced that Starlink customers can now take their service wherever they go. “Starlink is excited to announce Portability as an add-on feature for all Starlink customers,” wrote SpaceX in an email to customers. “Portability enables customers to temporarily move their Starlink to new locations and receive high-speed internet anywhere where Starlink provides active coverage within the same continent.” However, this does not mean that the service is available on-the-go for use aboard actively moving vehicles, according to Starlink.com FAQ page about the Portability feature. “We do not support Starlink use in motion at this time. Using the Starlink Kit in motion will void the limited warranty of your Kit," the FAQ section says. "While our teams are actively working to make it possible to use Starlink on moving vehicles (e.g., automobiles, RVs, boats), Starlink is not yet configured to be safely used in this way,” the company stated.
The Portability add-on feature could be useful for customers who travel often across the country and would like to have reliable internet, as well as those who would like to have internet while on vacation/camping in a remote region. Previously, Starlink customers had to be grounded to a single service address where the satellites in orbit were scheduled to beam internet signals down to the specific location, now, SpaceX operates more than 2,200 satellites in Low Earth Orbit that enabled it to expand service coverage. The company also shared an official map that highlights where the internet service is available for 'Portability', see it here: Starlink Availability Map. “You can enable Portability for $25/month on your account page. Once enabled, Portability will take effect immediately, and you can disable Portability from your account page at any time,” wrote SpaceX to its customers. The $25 USD per month fee is additional to the price customers already pay for the monthly internet subscription of $110 USD. For more information visit the company’s official website: Starlink.com
@JaneidyEve So excited!
— Chris Ferreira (@SendChris) May 5, 2022
Featured Image Source: SpaceX Starlink.com
About the Author
Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo
Evelyn J. Arevalo joined Tesmanian in 2019 to cover news as a Space Journalist and SpaceX Starbase Texas Correspondent. Evelyn is specialized in rocketry and space exploration. The main topics she covers are SpaceX and NASA.
