It seems that Elon Musk thinks beyond 1% like the new SpaceX The petition of the Federal Communications Commission aims to provide cheaper telephone plans for people with lower incomes through Starlink. In the petition, Starlink is seeking designation as an eligible telecommunications operator (ETC) under the Communications Act.
For now, the Starlink beta includes only broadband, but SpaceX has specified in the recording that it intends to sell Voice over IP (VoIP) services that include “(a) voice access to the public switched telephone network (” PSTN “), or functional equivalent; (b) minutes of use for local services provided free of charge to end-users; (c) access to emergency services; and (d) tax relief services for low-income consumers. “
The filing also shows that Starlink now has over 10,000 customers in the US and abroad. However, the company should have the capacity for several million customers, as the company is allowed to deploy up to 1 million satellite dishes.
“Established and created by SpaceX, Starlink Services will provide the first low-speed, low-latency satellite internet service, coordinating the world’s largest fleet of satellites to provide consistent services to the most disconnected areas of the world, including the United States. Unite. “SpaceX writes ambitiously in its petition.
The company also adds that it is the first provider of high-speed, low-latency satellite internet. Currently, a Starlink subscription costs $ 99 per month. It also comes with an initial charge of $ 499 for the user’s terminal, mounting tripod and router.
It goes without saying that this amount should be significantly reduced for low-income households. SpaceX mentioned a Lifeline plan that would cost $ 9.25 per month for broadband and $ 5.25 per month for telephone service.
However, he added that he currently has no Lifeline customers, as “only operators designated as ETCs can participate in the Lifeline program”. I think we’ll just have to wait and see what offers will be available if the petition passes.