SpaceX Starlink New 50% Cheaper Internet Plan

Summary

The video discusses SpaceX's new cheaper Starlink internet plan being tested in New Zealand, offering 50% off the monthly price in exchange for slower speeds during peak hours. It analyzes whether this deprioritized plan could come to the US, given excess satellite capacity in some areas. The host also highlights how SpaceX is improving satellite design to increase payload per launch. Overall, the video explores if US customers could enjoy lower cost Starlink in the future, either through discounted pricing or buying refurbished hardware kits.

Takeaways

• 😊 SpaceX is testing a new 50% cheaper Starlink plan in New Zealand
• 🔆 The cheaper plan offers 50-100 Mbps speeds vs 150-250 Mbps for the standard plan
• 📉 Cheaper plan customers will be deprioritized during peak usage times
• 💰 Eligible customers can also get refurbished Starlink kits for 50% off in NZ
• ⚡️ NZ currently sees the fastest Starlink speeds globally, averaging 158-266 Mbps down
• 🇺🇸 No discounts yet offered in the US, but prices were lowered in some states last year
• 🛰️ SpaceX launched 24 satellites on one Falcon 9 rocket, the most ever carried
• 🚀 More mini satellites and Starship launches will increase speeds and capacity
• ❓ It's unclear if/when the discounted plan will expand beyond New Zealand
• 👍 Customers seem interested in cheaper service, even with slower speeds

Q & A

What is the new cheaper Starlink plan that was spotted in New Zealand?

SpaceX is offering a 50% discount on the monthly fee for Starlink internet service in New Zealand in exchange for slower speeds. The new plan costs NZ$79 per month compared to NZ$159 for the standard plan.

How do the speeds compare between the standard and cheaper Starlink plans in New Zealand?

The cheaper plan offers speeds between 50-100 Mbps download while the standard plan offers 150-250 Mbps. So the cheaper plan has slower speeds, especially during peak usage times.

Why is SpaceX offering discounted Starlink plans in New Zealand specifically?

New Zealand has very fast Starlink speeds averaging 158-266 Mbps down. So SpaceX likely has excess network capacity there allowing them to offer discounted plans to get more customers using the network.

Does the cheaper plan have any data caps or restrictions?

No, the cheaper Starlink plan has no data caps or speed restrictions. The only limitation is slower speeds due to being deprioritized during peak network usage times.

Can I pause service or enable portability on the cheaper Starlink plan?

No, the ability to pause service or use Starlink portably is not supported on the cheaper deprioritized plan.

Can I buy a discounted refurbished Starlink kit in New Zealand?

Yes, in addition to the cheaper plan, New Zealand customers can also buy a refurbished Starlink kit for half the price of a new one.

When will cheaper Starlink plans be offered in the US?

It's unclear if or when the cheaper deprioritized plans will be offered in the US. SpaceX typically tests new plans in foreign markets first before bringing them to the US market.

How does the Starlink dish in NZ differ from the latest US version?

The NZ Starlink kit includes the dish with motors allowing 360 degree movement. The newest US version has a stand instead of motors to reduce complexity and cost.

How many more satellites did SpaceX recently fit on a Falcon 9 launch?

SpaceX managed to fit 24 Starlink satellites on a recent Falcon 9 launch, up from the previous max of 22. This shows their ability to continually improve launch efficiency.

When is the next SpaceX Starship test launch scheduled?

The next Starship prototype launch is expected to occur in mid-March 2024 from Starbase in Texas.