Table of Contents
The beta testing for Starlink’s internet service has begun, and the satellite company is shipping equipment to clients. Originally, only a select group of people could get Starlink. However, the company has since distributed 100K dishes to everyone and shipped them rapidly. The satellite dish is wireless, so no wires are required. According to the Starlink internet coverage map 2021, 24 percent of rural American areas are not served by broadband.
Disadvantages of satellite internet
Consumers of satellite internet are often frustrated by the speed limitations. The data allowances are usually limited to 10 to 150 GB per month, and users who exceed this amount will either pay a higher fee or deal with a dramatically reduced speed. Satellite internet has become an increasingly popular choice among rural consumers. But the coverage map for 2021 is a little confusing. How do you decide if the satellite is for you?
The first disadvantage is that it’s expensive. Satellite internet costs around $100 a month for modest speeds. Although there are many benefits of satellite service, it’s worth the money to avoid the soaring prices. 
Even if coverage maps are not yet completely accurate, they help plan your budget. Disadvantages of satellite internet coverage map 2021
Speeds offered by Starlink
In addition to its competitive pricing and unlimited data plan, Starlink offers high-speed internet service at the lowest latency possible. The company has promised to deliver download speeds of 300 Mbps and less than 25 milliseconds of latency. While these promises are still far from reality, they are better than fixed wireless and other satellite internet options. Nonetheless, Starlink is still in the beta phase and will likely be more reliable when more satellites are launched.
While Starlink customers are mostly located in the northern states, there are still some areas that it does not reach. In addition to the US, it is available in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom. As more satellites are launched, coverage will likely become more widespread, but for now, it will only be available in certain areas of the United States. Further, the company has yet to announce when the service will be available everywhere.
Current availability of service
SpaceX’s new Starlink satellite internet division is on track to provide high-speed broadband to a select set of areas by 2021. Currently available in beta testing, Starlink offers download speeds of 100 Mbps to 200 Mbps. With latency as low as 20 milliseconds, it is one of the fastest ways to access the internet. To get the service, SpaceX sells a broadband signal access kit that includes a small satellite dish, a tripod mount, a wifi router, cables, and a power supply.
Launched on May 23, 2019, Starlink satellites have already reached an operational altitude of 340 miles or 550 kilometers. Within several years, atmospheric drag will pull them down. In the meantime, Starlink is ready for commercial operation, though delays may occur if there’s a pandemic in a particular region. But for now, the company is focusing on rural customers. In addition to expanding its service area, it is also working on increasing its capacity.
Plans for future service
As the first satellite constellation is launched into space, Starlink is planning to expand its service to more parts of the world. It currently services certain regions in the US, Canada, and the UK, as well as the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands. Other countries that can expect to receive Starlink service shortly include the UK, Australia, and India. However, coverage is still in the beta stage, so the map of coverage is not complete yet.
To increase its coverage, the company plans to build a constellation of 42,000 Starlink satellites to provide internet service. This constellation will work with a web of thousands of smaller satellites and ground terminals. However, the company expects to receive permission to launch as many as 42,000 additional satellites to ensure reliable service to the public. The company has received a grant of $856 million from the U.S. government for its plans, and the company expects to maintain these prices as the constellation grows.
