Starlink’s testing a ‘Global Roaming’ internet service for $200 per month

Starlink’s testing a brand new satellite tv for pc web service it says will allow you to “join from nearly anyplace on land on the planet,” based on a message some Starlink users have received. The SpaceX-owned firm calls it “International Roaming Service” and says it’ll price $200 monthly along with the bottom $599 Starlink Equipment.

The service, which makes use of “Starlink’s inter-satellite hyperlinks (aka house lasers) to offer connectivity across the globe,” comes with a reasonably large caveat. In its message to customers, Starlink notes that it’s best to count on “Starlink’s typical excessive velocity, low-latency service intermixed with transient intervals of poor connectivity, or none in any respect” however that this can “enhance dramatically over time.”

It’s additionally not instantly clear how Starlink will comply with by way of on its promise to offer web from practically anyplace. Starlink continues to be ready on regulatory approval in varied international locations, together with India, Pakistan, and Cambodia, and is totally unavailable in others. Regardless of this, PCMag stories that Starlink is providing the International Roaming service to some customers exterior the corporate’s protection areas, corresponding to Greenland.

Whereas Starlink already lets customers journey with their dishes (nicknamed “Dishy”), the International Roaming service sounds prefer it may include fewer limitations. The prevailing $135 monthly Starlink RV plan, as an illustration, lets customers equip their RVs with Starlink’s {hardware} for web entry whereas touring, and comes with the choice of a fair pricier dish for web entry on the go. Nevertheless it’s solely obtainable in sure components of the globe, and web entry isn’t prioritized like it’s for residential prospects, leading to slower speeds.

Starlink makes the International Roaming plan sound like a extra untethered approach to journey the globe whereas utilizing the corporate’s satellite tv for pc web. Identical to the RV plan, customers can pause the International Roaming service at any time. We nonetheless don’t know whether or not Starlink will give precedence web entry to customers who join the plan, although, and, as famous by Starlink, customers exterior the US are “liable for appearing because the Importer of File for the Starlink Equipment.” This implies prospects should make sure the Equipment complies with native legal guidelines and rules, in addition to pay customs duties and import taxes.