SpaceX has started selling its new variant, the Starlink Mini, to early adopters last month. The company has now opened sales to the general public.
The new Starlink Mini is small enough to fit in a backpack and is designed to be portable to provide access to Starlink’s satellite Internet service for users on the go.
With its small size, the Mini can be a perfect device for African users, especially in rural environments.
Details
The Starlink Mini is designed for use on the go, easily fitting into a backpack. Its portability is matched by its performance, with its reported download speeds over 100 Mbps, making it a powerful tool for travelers and remote workers alike. Compared to the standard Starlink, this might be a better device for African users.
The device could support a range of activities, from enabling distance education and healthcare services to opening up new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.
However, the Starlink Mini could come with a significant cost hurdle.
Cost Barrier
Currently, the Starlink Mini is price $599 and the service requires one additional $30 per month above the existing residential plan. This pricing could be prohibitive for many potential users.
Additionally, the service currently has a data cap 50 gigabytes per month, with additional charges for additional data. This limitation could hinder the Starlink Mini’s usefulness for users who require important data for work or personal use.
Price reduction in the future
Elon Musk stated that the price of the Starlink Mini will be reduced in the future, which could make it more affordable for potential users
If that happens, we’ll have to wait for the device to hit retail at $300 compared to the Standard kit sold at $500.
Current Starlink in Africa
Starlink is currently available in 11 African countries with countries such as Botswana and Ghana expected to be released later this year.
Starlink Mini may not be the perfect solution for all African users due to cost and data limitations, but it could provide services and opportunities to areas left out due to limited connectivity.
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