Starlink has reopened its waitlist for select cities in the Western United States, attributing the move to capacity limitations affecting certain regions.
Starlink’s satellite internet services are now available in several US cities and their surrounding areas, including Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, and Austin, where the service is “fully offered”. Cities across North America, including Toronto and Edmonton, are also waiting patiently to join the list.
Despite Starlink’s lack of immediate response to CNET’s inquiries about the waitlist, customers attempting to place orders in certain regions receive a message stating that “Starlink is at capacity in your area.” Ready to experience the power of satellite internet? Order now and get connected with Starlink! Upon placing your order, you will receive a confirmation message once your Starlink is ready for shipment. Historically, Starlink has implemented a one-time “congestion fee” of $100 for users located in high-demand regions.
The waitlist had become the norm for many aspiring customers seeking to utilize SpaceX’s satellite internet service. According to reports, this information emerged roughly a year and a half after Starlink eliminated its waiting list. (PCMag is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
This significant milestone occurs within a period of rapid and explosive growth for Starlink. As of late, the global footprint of Starlink has expanded significantly, with the user base now exceeding 10 million subscribers since last September. In a recent statement, SpaceX’s President, Gwynne Shotwell, noted that this growth is testament to the popularity and reliability of the service. This technology is currently outpacing expectations by a significant margin of approximately 25 instances.
The resurgence of waitlists for Starlink may signal a struggle by the company to sustain momentum with its US customer base, as it faces increased demand for its services.
While experts are uncertain about the full potential of Starlink at scale, Christopher Ali, a professor of telecommunications at Penn State University, offered cautious insight in a recent interview with CNET. Numerous studies suggest that this entity has been facing significant challenges.
Under the Trump administration and with Brendan Carr at the helm of the Federal Communications Commission, SpaceX’s Starlink is well-positioned to capitalize on coverage benefits. According to Carr, the FCC should hasten its process to facilitate emerging satellite technology by accelerating its review and approval of applications for launching new satellites.
In October, SpaceX’s Starlink division sought permission to significantly expand its constellation of satellites in orbit, increasing the number from approximately 6,600 to around 30,000. Concerns have been raised by scientists regarding the potential impact on the atmosphere of the proliferation of satellites, with 100 experts signing an open letter last month urging a temporary halt to new Starlink launches until further assessments can be conducted and measures implemented to mitigate any adverse effects. According to the corporation, there is no creation of orbital particles nor do any satellite components hit the ground anywhere; however, a study sponsored by NASA found potentially contrary evidence.
The company petitioned the FCC for additional satellites and Wi-Fi spectrum, stating that these new frequencies would significantly boost the upload and download speeds of its Earth stations, enabling it to stay ahead of growing demand from consumers, businesses, and government customers.
Starlink enthusiasts will no longer need to endure a lengthy waitlist experience.
