Fri, 04 April 2025 03:42:43am
In a groundbreaking move, SpaceX has unveiled the Starlink Mini, a more compact and portable version of its satellite internet system, promising to revolutionize connectivity for travelers. This new offering, priced at USD 599, is designed to fit conveniently inside a backpack and caters to areas with high Starlink usage. But is this the game-changer we've all been waiting for?
SpaceX’s latest innovation, the Starlink Mini, is set to redefine internet access on the go. Imagine carrying a high-speed satellite internet connection in your backpack, ready to deploy wherever you are. This compact version of the well-known Starlink service offers travelers and remote workers unprecedented convenience and reliability.
The Starlink Mini kit is currently available for early Starlink customers at a USD 100 premium over the typical Starlink kit. For an additional USD 30 per month, users can integrate the Mini Roam service into their existing plan, although this comes with a 50-gigabyte data limit. This brings the total monthly cost to USD 150 for a basic residential Starlink customer.
The Mini antenna, weighing just 2.5 pounds with the kickstand, is about 60% lighter than the standard Starlink dish. Despite its small size, it promises impressive download speeds of over 100 Mbps, ensuring that users stay connected even in the most remote locations.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, highlighted the potential of the Mini in a tweet, suggesting it as a cost-effective backup for internet connections. This announcement comes as Starlink’s satellite network, with over 6,000 satellites, continues to expand, serving more than 3 million users across 100 countries.
The first batch of Starlink Minis will be available starting in July, targeting regions with high Starlink usage to manage demand on the satellite network. SpaceX aims to reduce the kit's cost over time, making satellite internet more accessible globally, especially in areas where traditional connectivity is either unavailable or prohibitively expensive.
Starlink Mini’s introduction signifies a major leap towards affordable, reliable internet for everyone, anywhere on the planet. For travelers and remote workers, this could be the ultimate solution for seamless connectivity.
As the digital age progresses, innovations like the Starlink Mini will undoubtedly play a crucial role in bridging the global digital divide. Stay tuned for more updates as this revolutionary product hits the market!
I just set it up right now and am writing this post through space.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 17, 2024
Took less than 5 mins. Easily carried in a backpack.
This product will change the world.
About half the price of the standard dish to buy and monthly subscription, but you can still watch multiple 4k video streams simultaneously!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 17, 2024
23ms latency. pic.twitter.com/07bW5WgKKi