Elon Musk’s company SpaceX is working to deliver high-speed satellite internet worldwide. Their Starlink service is already operational in many countries, providing internet services through various plans. Recently, there has been speculation online about a new potential plan called “Starlink Community”.
Although this plan has not been officially announced, some mentions of it have been found on a support page on Starlink’s website. It suggests that SpaceX might soon launch a shared internet package.
Starlink Community Plan – Potential Features
The main concept of this plan is that multiple users can access the internet using a single Starlink dish. Each user will have their own Starlink account, but they will all connect through a shared receiver. It is speculated that up to 10 users can be connected under this plan.
How Much Will It Cost?
The price for the Starlink Community Plan has not been officially set. However, some US-based tech media reports suggest that the community plan might cost around $60 per user per month. In some regions, this cost could drop to $20. However, these details are not yet fully confirmed.
Comparatively, Starlink’s Residential Light Plan costs about $80, and the Standard Residential Plan is $120. So, this could become a more affordable alternative.
Who Will Benefit?
The Starlink Community Package could benefit:
- People in rural areas
- Community schools or libraries
- Families living in apartment complexes
- People in developing countries with limited income
In countries like Bangladesh, where broadband hasn’t yet reached many villages, such shared services could play a significant role in reducing digital inequality.
How is the Starlink Community Package Technically Possible?
Starlink’s satellites are connected with a special type of antenna called a phased-array antenna. This antenna is designed so that multiple users can connect simultaneously, each receiving a specific bandwidth. Additionally, the Starlink satellite constellation already consists of thousands of satellites, making internet connections more stable and faster.
Though the community package is not officially launched yet, Starlink’s support page mentions it. This community plan’s main objective is to provide internet to multiple users through a shared Starlink dish, reducing costs and making the internet more accessible for remote areas.
What Will the New ‘Community’ Plan Include?
This new community plan is designed for multiple users instead of a single user. A Starlink dish will be installed, through which many users can connect using their own Wi-Fi routers via a network switch.
This method would be particularly effective for apartment buildings, suburban areas, or communities where high-speed broadband is not easily available.
What the Support Page Says
Starlink’s support page details the process of launching a community site. It states:
“After installing the Starlink kit and network switch, the host can start connecting subscribers. Each subscriber must have their own Wi-Fi router.”
This means the host will activate the connection through the main Starlink dish and switch, and different users will use the internet through their own Wi-Fi routers. Shared subscribers will also need a Starlink account.
Has It Launched?
Although the word “Community Plan” has appeared on the Starlink website, SpaceX has not yet released any press release or official announcement about this service.
This could be an experimental plan still in internal stages or just a blueprint for the future. However, tech analysts speculate that since SpaceX has begun working on it, it might be launched experimentally in some countries by 2025.
Some Questions Remain
Before understanding how this plan will work in reality, some questions need answers—
- How much will the internet speed reduce if a dish is shared?
- How will security and privacy be ensured if everyone has separate accounts?
- How will service congestion or traffic management be handled?
These questions remain unanswered as SpaceX has not provided detailed information on these matters.
Currently, Starlink’s competitors in the satellite internet market include Amazon’s “Project Kuiper” and Europe’s “OneWeb”.
However, if a shared subscription model is launched, Starlink could stay ahead of these competitors, especially in developing countries.
Importance of This Service in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, there are still many areas where there is no alternative to mobile internet. Many people cannot get fiber connections simply due to location or infrastructure reasons.
If Starlink launches this community model in Bangladesh and the government grants the necessary permissions, it could bring about a revolutionary change for village schools, markets, and even union digital centers.
This new satellite internet plan named “Starlink Community” has not yet been launched, but it’s clear from the website information that SpaceX is working on it.
The effort to deliver affordable internet to many people through a single connection could open up a vast potential in the digital world. However, nothing can be said definitively yet. We must wait for SpaceX’s official announcement. Until then, keeping an eye on this promising initiative would be wise.
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