Chapter 1: Introduction to Starlink's Availability

If you keep an eye on Elon Musk's ventures, you're likely familiar with his ambition to provide global Internet access. Despite facing challenges, the South African entrepreneur has made significant strides toward realizing this vision. Over the years, Starlink has been launching satellites into orbit, obtaining necessary governmental approvals, and by 2020, the service became available to select private users in Canada and the USA. Eventually, it opened up to the general public, and I can personally confirm this as a Canadian resident.

On February 24, 2021, I received an email from Starlink notifying me that I could now place an order. Although the email didn’t specify which areas were covered in Canada, I simply entered my address to see if I could access Musk's Internet:

Much to my surprise, I found that I did qualify! Although my actual address is not 1 York Street (as shown in the screenshot), my location was also included. The moment had come for me to order Starlink and join the ranks of the early adopters testing this innovative service! However, the associated costs were quite daunting.

While I was aware that Starlink would come at a price, I was prepared to pay a premium for a service that promised global Internet connectivity. Setting it up seemed straightforward: assemble the equipment, point it skyward, and voilà—instant access from virtually anywhere! Whether in a remote area, hiking in the mountains, or anywhere else, Starlink should provide Internet access.

Unfortunately, the total costs approached $1,000, which is not feasible for me right now:

In Canadian Dollars, the price is $935.82 CAD, which translates to roughly $700 USD. However, as the exchange rate has shifted unfavorably for Canadians, the cost remains high without any increase in salaries or reduction in living expenses.

It's essential to note that in Canada, Internet and other telecommunications services are notoriously expensive. In fact, Canadians often pay among the highest rates globally. It's common to pay around $100 monthly for Internet service; I currently pay $73, which isn’t too bad. Unless you stumble upon a great deal of $40-$50 per month, Internet bills can be steep. Even if you manage to secure a temporary promotion, such deals usually expire.

In essence, I was willing to pay more for Starlink, given its unique nature and the freedom it would afford me to connect from anywhere. The monthly fee of $129 isn’t shocking, although I wish it were closer to $100 than $150.

However, the equipment cost is quite hefty. I understand the extensive effort behind Starlink's development, but $649 CAD (around $515 USD) feels excessive. Would you pay $515 USD for the required hardware? I could see myself agreeing to around $100 or $200 but not more than that. Despite my enthusiasm for new technologies, I find $515 to be a stretch.

Regrettably, Starlink does not offer an installment payment option. While services like these exist, and one can finance an Apple Watch, it’s surprising that a company backed by one of the wealthiest individuals on the planet doesn’t provide such an option. Unfortunately, that’s the reality.

As it stands, you’re expected to fork out nearly $1,000 CAD when signing up for Starlink and ordering the necessary equipment. What other factors should you keep in mind?

Many people overlook the terms and conditions, but I took the time to read them and found them satisfactory. They seem standard, and fortunately, you can expect a refund if the service does not meet your expectations:

However, I was puzzled by the limitations regarding service availability. I would think that a deposit would obligate the company to provide the promised service and hardware:

Aside from that, I had no further concerns.

Chapter 2: Key Takeaways About Starlink

The first video titled "IS IT WORTH IT?? Testing STARLINK MINI Mobile Internet Off Grid #internet #starlink #wifi" provides insights into the practical use of Starlink in off-grid scenarios.

The second video, "Starlink is Finally Mobile! How to Get it Now + Setup & Speed Tests!!", explains how to access Starlink and showcases setup and speed tests.

So, what did we learn about Starlink?

1. Their satellite Internet is now operational after years of anticipation.
2. Elon Musk’s innovation is currently in beta in select regions of Canada and the USA.
3. You can visit their website to verify if the service is available in your area.
4. The monthly fee is high, but not excessively so.
5. The equipment cost is steep, and there’s no option for installment payments.
6. The terms and conditions appear standard, aside from some no-guarantee clauses.

So, should you consider connecting with Starlink? Ultimately, the choice is yours. There are both benefits and drawbacks, and perhaps in the near future, we will see improvements that make Starlink more accessible.