SpaceX is preparing to launch a new "Premium" Starlink tier that’ll boost download speeds up to 500Mbps. However, the satellite internet service won’t be cheap.
The Premium tier will cost $500 per month, a major increase from the $99 rate that non-premium Starlink users currently pay. In addition, premium users have to submit a one-time $2,500 fee for a larger dish; the standard Starlink dish for non-premium customers is $499.
On the plus side, the Premium tier dish can offer better performance, thanks to a new “high performance antenna,” according to a tweet from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
The company’s website adds: “Starlink Premium has more than double the antenna capability of Starlink, delivering faster internet speeds and higher throughput for the highest demand users, including businesses.”
The company’s website goes on to say the dish can offer “high throughput connectivity for small offices, storefronts, and super users across the globe,” which suggests the Premium tier is mainly for enterprise users or the wealthy based in remote areas with slow broadband.
The new Premium dish also promises to offer a steadier internet connection “even during times of peak network usage.” However, the download speeds won’t necessarily always reach 500Mbps. Instead, the company says the dish will hit a range from 150Mbps to 500Mbps; 150Mbps is the current speed a normal Starlink dish can receive.
SpaceX didn't release any specs for the new dish, but the company's website does note: "Starlink Premium is designed for improved performance in extreme weather conditions. Users will also benefit from 24/7, prioritized support."
SpaceX is already taking pre-orders for the Premium tier. The company plans on delivering the first units in this year’s second quarter.
The Premium tier also arrives as SpaceX is facing a massive backlog of pre-orders for the normal Starlink service. The ongoing chip shortage has made the matter worse, forcing the company to delay Starlink orders to numerous customers.
The Premium tier could address some of the pre-order demand, at least among businesses hoping to try out Starlink. But many non-premium customers who can’t afford the Premium tier’s high cost will need to continue to wait for their orders.