Starlink, the satellite internet service of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is now available in the Philippines.
But how much does a subscription to the service cost and what can its users expect?
Those who want to subscribe to Starlink will have to pay P2,700 monthly and a one-time payment of P29,320 for hardware. According to its website, residential users can typically see download speeds of 50 to 200 Mbps.
Available na ngayon ang Starlink sa Pilipinas → https://t.co/slZbTmZmAt pic.twitter.com/4pl3isvnYX
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 22, 2023
The P2,700 monthly rate also includes an easy self-install kit, no long-term contracts, and a 30-day trial.
Meanwhile, those who opt for Starlink Business are promised up to 350 Mbps of download speeds for up to 20 users.
Starlink, however, is pricier than other local internet providers. For instance, PLDT Home offers Fiber connections at 200Mbps for a more affordable P1,699 monthly in contrast to the Musk-owned company. So how does the SpaceX internet service differ?
To start, Starlink uses a constellation of fast-moving low Earth orbit satellites to deliver broadband internet. And because its satellites are closer to earth, they deliver lower latency, and they can provide internet access to far-flung areas.
Fiber, on the other hand, is a broadband connection that uses optic-fiber cables, which run underground or above ground, to send high-speed data.
Starlink is available in over 32 countries, including the United States, New Zealand, most of Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan, and more.
Internet speeds in the Philippines have improved in recent years—the country ranked 41st out of 179 others in Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index for January 2023 with an average speed of 88.13Mbps. This number still pales in comparison to other neighboring countries like Singapore’s 234.55Mbps average speed.
