Starlink's First UK User Explains What SpaceX Service Is Like

The first person in the UK to receive the Starlink kit has revealed what it's like.

Philip Hall, who lives in rural Devon, told Insider he was one of the first in the UK to receive the kit - which includes a tripod, WiFi router and terminal - and test out the internet connection.

Starlink is a satellite internet system launched by Elon Musk's company SpaceX to provide high-speed internet around the world.

Starlink

According to reports, Mr Hall has barely any internet connection where he lives which makes running a business and keeping in touch with people (especially at the moment) difficult.

He claimed the Starlink kit was 'a hope and a prayer'. The IT worker told Insider: "Without broadband, you've got your arms behind your back."

Philip paid £439 ($610) for the kit and the monthly subscription will set him back £89 ($123). He had a confirmation email on 27 December and the delivery arrived on New Year's Eve.

He excitedly waited until the next day to set up the equipment and went in all guns blazing as he decided to run a Zoom quiz for his grandchildren.

Giving feedback, he said: "It was wonderful," adding that the service has been 'absolutely transformational'.

PA

Once the service was installed, Philip's download speed jumped from 0.5 megabits per second (Mbps) to between 85 and 90 Mbps.

He went on: "Elon Musk has transformed the whole thing. It's a very exciting time."

Hall did say that the range of the router doesn't stretch too far, saying: "When we went to the other side of the house, we weren't picking it up."

He is now capable of streaming TV series on Netflix as well as other services such as Chromecast.

In October 2020, a remote Native American tribe were able to enjoy high-speed internet for the first time thanks to Starlink.

The Hoh Tribe in Washington State were among the first to benefit from Elon Musk's Starlink satellite network.

Melvinjohn Ashue, vice chairman of the tribe, said: "We're very remote. The last eight years I felt like we've been paddling up river with a spoon and almost getting nowhere with getting internet to the reservation.

"It seemed like out of nowhere, SpaceX came up and just catapulted us into the 21st century."

You can find out more about Starlink here.

Topics: elon musk, News, SpaceX, Technology

Rebecca Shepherd

I'm Becky - a journalist at LADbible. I graduated with a First Class BA in Journalism before going on to cover criminal court cases, medical tribunals and breaking news for the national media - which inevitably and eventually became as glum as it sounds. Can often be found rocking a bag for life - which I made a 'thing' way before Rihanna. You can contact me at [email protected]

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