KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 – Malaysians can now enjoy high-speed satellite broadband with the official launch of Starlink in Malaysia. SpaceX’s satellite broadband service, Starlink, offers download speeds of around 100Mbps, providing an alternative internet connectivity option with lower latency compared to traditional GEO satellites. The satellite broadband plan costs RM220/month without a contract, and users can test the service for 30 days, with the option to seek a full refund by returning the hardware.
Starlink offers two hardware options – the Standard kit priced at RM2,300 and the High Performance option at RM11,613. The Standard kit caters to residential users for everyday applications, while the High-Performance kit is recommended for power users and enterprise applications, offering 3x speeds at temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius. Starlink’s satellite service comes with a motorised self-orienting satellite dish and a Starlink WiFi router that supports up to 802.11ac WiFi 5 with dual-band 3×3 MIMO.
Users can expect download speeds of 25-100Mbps and upload speeds of 5-10Mbps for the standard fixed plans, with expected latency at 25-60ms, similar to a 4G connection. As the 60th country to receive Starlink, Malaysia is the second ASEAN nation to offer the service to consumers, following the Philippines. The approval to operate in Malaysia was granted on July 17, 2023, after a teleconference meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Elon Musk. Starlink aims to bridge the digital divide and provide transformative internet access in areas with limited coverage.
Despite satellite broadband being a finite resource, Starlink’s Fair Usage Policy is in place to ensure equitable distribution. As Starlink makes its entrance into the Malaysian market, it seeks to revolutionize the way Malaysians connect to the world and access high-speed broadband. With its unique offerings and collaborations, Starlink aims to reshape the internet landscape in Malaysia and provide unparalleled connectivity for users across the nation
