Starlink, the satellite internet service of SpaceX and owned by Elon Musk, has begun providing basic service in Israel, the Communications Ministry announced Thursday. This includes the installation of the antennas that connect households and buildings to the service.
The company launched a Hebrew-language website for preorders in early August.
The price will start at 230 shekels per month for the residential market, offering unlimited data browsing, as is common in the fixed-line market.
More expensive plans aim to offer better coverage for businesses, with a stationary connection starting at 300 shekels per month, including 40GB of prioritized access; a plan with 1TB of prioritized access for 670 shekels per month; and a plan with 2TB of prioritized access for 1,400 shekels per month.
The Starlink website also provides other details about the service, like what is included in the kit that allows self-installation, service plans for businesses and home users, job openings (which also lead to the general job search at the space company), a list of resellers, and more.
Starlink’s challenge in the Israeli market: The country’s widespread infrastructure
Elon Musk's Starlink prides itself on providing high-speed internet in remote locations, something that in a small country like Israel, with a widespread fiber infrastructure, may prove to be a challenge.
But the service could appeal particularly to homeowners who can easily install the Starlink antenna on their roofs or even just outside their windows, even in remote or isolated areas.
Abroad, the company offers several products, but not all of them will be available in Israel from day one. Only stationary antennas will be purchasable, while the portable mini antenna for travel or the performance kit designed for remote locations haven’t yet arrived in Israel.
While the mini antenna for travel appears under the "Roam" section and the company allows for a 30-day trial, it's unclear whether the product is available in Israel, as there still hasn’t been any pricing in shekels yet.