SpaceX’s Starlink is taking another small step to expand its public beta test by opening pre-orders for novice customers. While before you could register your interest for the chance to sign up for the satellite Internet service, entering your data now gives you the ability to make a deposit of $ 99. You will then get an expected coverage date of 2021 or 2022 based on its location, along with the ability to pay by credit card (no Bitcoin here, unfortunately).
Additional charges include $ 499 for the Starlink Kit, including a Wi-Fi router and antenna, and extras for shipping and taxes. The small print states that orders are fully refundable and can take more than six months to complete, adding that “making a deposit does not guarantee the service”.
Starlink’s public beta test began late last year for people in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with more than 10,000 customers already using the service over a three-month period, according to a SpaceX FCC document. The same document, which seeks to designate the company as an eligible telecommunications operator, also revealed that SpaceX has more than 1,000 satellites in orbit. The goal is to build a network of tiny satellites that can transmit broadband internet to places that are difficult to access, where getting decent speeds can be complicated due to the lack of terrestrial infrastructure.
SpaceX chief Elon Musk emphasized that the high-cost project could be divided into its own entity through an IPO. Given Tesla de Musk’s high valuation as a public company, a market fluctuation could give the satellite company the ability to better finance its operations. But first, Starlink needs to complete the arduous task of assembling its constellation, which means that an IPO may still be a long way off.
SpaceX must go through a deep abyss of negative cash flow next year or later to make Starlink financially viable. Each new satellite constellation in history has failed. We hope to be the first to do so.
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 9, 2021
As soon as we can predict the cash flow reasonably well, Starlink will make an IPO
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 9, 2021
“SpaceX needs to go through a deep abyss of negative cash flow next year or later to make Starlink financially viable,” said Musk in a recent tweet. “Every new satellite constellation in history has failed. We hope to be the first to do so. “
He continued in a separate tweet: “As soon as we can predict the cash flow reasonably well, Starlink will do the IPO.”