SpaceX’s Starlink to be Available Globally on the Move

Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet constellation, has launched a new service that enables customers to connect to the internet from almost anywhere on Earth, even on the move.

Starlink Mobility harnesses an enhanced receiver equipped with an expansive field of view and advanced GPS capabilities, facilitating seamless connectivity to SpaceX’s vast constellation of over 4,000 low-Earth orbit satellites.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk claimed on Twitter that the new Starlink Mobility service offers users global coverage. This means that users should be able to access the internet in the most remote spaces, including mountains, deserts, and even the Ocean.

SpaceX’s Starlink to provide mobile global internet coverage

According to SpaceX, the initial users testing Starlink Mobility are a group of school buses located in Arizona. This initiative enables students to “maintain connectivity and accomplish their assignments” during their commute to and from school.

The new service is “ideal for mobile businesses and public sector use cases, including trucking, buses, shuttles, and emergency response,” the company added.

Elon Musk, who founded SpaceX in 2002, also commented on the new service on Twitter, claiming that it “works almost everywhere on Earth with global roaming enabled!”

And works almost everywhere on Earth with global roaming enabled! https://t.co/QmglKYRpDz

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 23, 2023

individuals who subscribe to Starlink Mobility, priced at $250 per month alongside a one-time hardware fee of $2,500, are granted network priority over other users during busy periods. This ensures that emergency responders, for instance, can prevent internet disconnections and maintain uninterrupted connectivity.

According to the SpaceX website, “Starlink Mobility provides 100 percent coverage in your country and every country where Starlink service is available across the globe.”

“Plans can also be used on the ocean, with connectivity available in the vast majority of the Earth’s oceans and seas,” the website also explains.

The technology

The Starlink satellite dish, an upgraded iteration of the standard hardware, is specifically designed for permanent installation on customer vehicles, providing download speeds of up to 220 Mbps.

Last year, SpaceX successfully achieved global coverage of its Starlink internet network, a significant milestone accomplished four years after deploying the initial fleet of satellites.

However, certain countries, such as China and Iran, have implemented restrictions preventing Starlink’s operation within their territories.

In an effort to expand its services, SpaceX intends to introduce a satellite-to-cellphone connectivity option, eliminating the need for additional hardware to access its internet constellation.

Some service providers express concerns about potential interference with existing wireless services. Nevertheless, testing for the satellite-to-cell service is scheduled to begin later this year.