SpaceX has surpassed 400,000 Starlink subscribers worldwide, according to the company last week speaking to federal regulators, reports CNBC.
According to the disclosure, Starlink subscribers have increased from 250,000 back in March and from 145,000 it had at the beginning of 2022. The subscriber total of 400,000 includes both consumer and business customers.
SpaceX revealed the number in a presentation to the Federal Communications Commission on May 19, where it said Starlink is available in 48 U.S. states and 36 countries globally, with future expansion planned for most of Africa, Asia and the Middle East in 2023.
Only Afghanistan, Belarus, Cuba, China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and Venezuela are indicated as not “coming soon” on Starlink’s availability website.
There have also been roughly 2,500 Starlink satellites launched to support the low Earth orbit constellation, which offers internet to rural and remote areas on Earth.
SpaceX is able to launch new Starlink satellites into orbit faster than competitors, thanks to its reliable and reusable Falcon 9 rocket.
Starlink costs $599 USD upfront for hardware, then a $110 USD per month fee for service. Recently launched services include a new Portability feature to let Starlink customers use the service outside its home address, plus Starlink for RVs, an option that allows month-to-month service.
The satellite internet will soon hit inflight Wi-Fi with JSX and Hawaiian Airlines, pending regulatory approval.
