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The antenna price is high. I am surprised they are not offering a rental eg. $99+$xx/month antenna included.

• modeless 6y ago
  This price may already be significantly subsidized. A lot of people were expecting $2k+ for the antenna. This type of phased array antenna has never been mass produced for consumers before. Similar antennas have been extremely expensive. People are also saying that the existing satellite providers (ViaSat, HughesNet) charge a similar amount up front for equipment/install. But they're going to have to radically drop their prices as soon as Starlink becomes available, because it's a clearly superior product in pretty much every way.
• himinlomax 6y ago
  When you said "high", I didn't expect it to be just $499. Just look how much a regular old sat or land microwave antenna cost, it's not that much less. It's not even that much more than a 4G router. Also compare to the cost of trench work or pylons required for wiring a remote rural location — it's a bargain.
  • Gwypaas 6y ago
    It's really nothing! Compare to a Iridium Go! which is what many cruisers nowadays use to download weather forecasts off-shore. Around $700 for the base unit and then even more if you want an outside antenna. This is even omnidirectional. [0] Taking the step up to directional gyro stabilized antennas and the prices just balloon to almost insane numbers even today.[1] Then go on and add a data package.... [0]: https://www.amazon.com/Iridium-GO-Satellite-Terminal-included/dp/B01C2FW7RE https://www.amazon.com/Iridium-GO-Satellite-Terminal-include... [1]: https://www.satphonestore.com/tech-browsing/satellite-internet-marine.html https://www.satphonestore.com/tech-browsing/satellite-intern...