With Ukraine under attack by Russia, the former now has another ally when it comes to communications, as SpaceX Starlink is now live in the nation, according to Elon Musk.
The SpaceX CEO announced on Saturday just now, “Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.”
Musk was replying to Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, asked Musk ten hours ago the following: “while you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand.”
Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 26, 2022
Many have been asking for SpaceX to help out Ukraine by offering Starlink internet and now the request has been fulfilled, likely fast-tracked given the dire situation on the ground.
A Starlink satellite dish on the ground in Ukraine will allow for access to Starlink internet. The internet service normally requires a one-time $499 USD fee for a small and compact Starlink dish and router, plus $99 USD per month for service. Download speeds are up to 300 Mbps and latency at 20ms, depending on location.
All users need to do is set up their Starlink dish so it has a clear view of the sky, then plug-in to power from a household wall outlet. The included Wi-Fi router connects to the Starlink dish which receives a signal from a satellite in the sky.
Fedorov responded by saying, “thank you Elon Musk, thank you everyone, who supported Ukraine!”.
Starlink terminals are coming to Ukraine! Thank you @elonmusk, thank you everyone, who supported Ukraine! pic.twitter.com/xHDYHunhsW
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) February 26, 2022
The official Ukraine Twitter account replied to Musk with a brief, “thanx, appreciate it”, sent from an iPhone.
thanx, appreciate it https://t.co/OWm2Yu2WKC
— Ukraine / Україна (@Ukraine) February 26, 2022
It’s unclear how SpaceX is delivering Starlink terminals into Ukraine, but it’s likely they may be getting set up in neighbouring nations. SpaceX likely will not be charging Ukraine for Starlink internet access, given the country’s situation at the moment.
SpaceX recently announced they now have over 250,000 Starlink users worldwide, and over 2,000 satellites orbiting the globe.
