Starlink May Soon be Available for Beta Testing
If you've been wondering when you might be able to try out the Starlink satellite internet service under development by SpaceX, the answer may be "soon".
A link to an "About" page on the Starlink website appeared recently on Reddit. The page outlines how the Beta test will work, but does not give a timeline for when the testing is expected to begin.
According to the page, the service will be available for Beta testers in the northern U.S. and Canada to those living in rural and/or remote communities in the Washington state region. Eligibility will be determined by the user's location as well as the number of users in nearby areas.
To participate, you have to have a clear view of the northern sky. Starlink will provide a kit that includes a pre-assembled dish, router, power supply and mounting hardware appropriate for your type of installation.
But Beta testers won't have 24/7 access to the service. Starlink says the service will be intermittent as engineers work to optimize the network. They say that when you're on the service, it will be fast and robust. But the connection will not be consistent.
Beta testers will also be required to sign an agreement that prevents them from talking publicly about their Starlink experience. They will be required to provide periodic feedback to Starlink in the form of short surveys over an eight-week period.
Finally, there will be no cost for the service, aside from a one-time $1 charge to test the billing system. Users can opt out of the Beta test at any time.
Starlink is gathering email and physical addresses from people interested in the service on the main website, though that does not appear to put you on a list as a potential Beta tester.
SpaceX Illustration