Starlink gets go-ahead to shoot broadband service to moving vehicles

The Future. SpaceX’s Starlink received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)  to beam its satellite-internet connectivity to moving vehicles, including cars, planes, and ships. Considering that Starlink was built explicitly to provide service in remote areas, the company may finally help cover the entire Earth in WiFi.

Planes, trains, and automobiles
Insider reports that Starlink is ready to shoot some beams, thanks to the FCC’s greenlight.

• That’s a relief for Starlink, which has already struck deals with Hawaiian Airlines and private-jet company JSX to provide in-flight WiFi.
• It also allows RVs already equipped with Starlink terminals — a $135 per month subscription — to use the service while moving (subscribers previously could only use it while parked).
• Royal Caribbean has also signaled that it wants to install Starlink terminals on its cruise ships ASAP.

In its authorization order last week, the FCC said that SpaceX will “expand the range of broadband capabilities to meet the growing user demands that now require connectivity while on the move.”

That new usage will surely increase the number of subscribers SpaceX already has, which is hovering around 250,000.