SpaceX has been working hard to expand its Starlink internet service offerings, and now it looks as if the company is set to bring even more users into the fold. That push comes in the form of a new ultra-portable Starlink mini dish, which Elon Musk has teased and can be set up in less than five minutes. It is small and light enough to be carried in a backpack.
Possible renders of the product were shared on X by certain users, which Musk replied to with his own comments on it. When asked if people would be able to purchase the product, he replied that it would be rolling out to select areas within the next few months. However, there’s no more information beyond that. He also shared a speed test, which appears to correlate with the speeds that the smaller dish is capable of.
The Starlink mini dish isn’t exactly a new revelation. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the mini dish in the United States last year. The goal appears to be to make Starlink more affordable and accessible by cutting the startup cost. Reports indicate that the mini should cost roughly half the usual $599 that a standard dish runs for.
Whether or not that price holds true at the official release remains to be seen. Still, it’s a good move for Starlink, especially as the mini dish could open an entirely separate avenue for possible customers. Not everyone wants a full Starlink setup on their RV or home—like the setup seen in the header image above. A mini dish would help alleviate some of that concern, and if it is available for cheaper, it’ll hopefully make the internet service more affordable, too.
Of course, how well Starlink’s service will do in your area is all based on how SpaceX’s various Starlink satellite arrays pass over those areas. Some places may get better speeds than others. But there’s no arguing that the Starlink mini dish could be a good step toward helping to expand where Starlink is available.
