SpaceX plans to start offering commercial internet services in Portugal by the end of June.
This, according to the regulator ANACOM, follows the creation of a company named Space Exploration Technologies Portugal (SXPT).
Quoting the company, it adds that it will have the capacity to provide internet access to 50,000 users in Portugal and plans to have 16,000 users by the end of 2021.
Separately, ANACOM says that despite the still low penetration of satellite broadband in Portugal, the number of subscribers grew by 78.5% between Q4 2018 and Q3 2020. Although this represents less than 0.3%, or 1,200 accesses, at a fixed location at the end of 2020, it was 32.4% higher than in 2019.
Residential customers in Portugal typically pay up to €150 in installation costs, followed by €19.90-€49 for activation and €4.90-€9.90 a month rental for equipment if it is not purchased. Monthly fees cost from €12.90 up to a maximum of €119.99.