Satellite internet provider StarBand said on its website today that it will shut down, citing increased costs and competition from other forms of broadband.

The end of StarBand, slated for September 30, underscores the costs involved with offering satellite internet services, even as at least two other companies are trying to muscle into the market. OneWeb, backed by eccentric billionaire Richard Branson, and SpaceX, run by eccentric entrepreneur Elon Musk, both aim to offer satellite internet through large constellations of smaller satellites in low-earth orbit. These could provide faster connection speeds and lower latency than the high-orbit services offered by companies like StarBand. But analysts have questioned whether either OneWeb or SpaceX will be able to sell access to such a service at a low enough price for customers to afford while still turning a profit.

But StarBand's shutdown offers a potential silver lining to SpaceX. Wireless spectrum for offering internet from the sky is limited, but OneWeb was able to acquire a large spectrum swath from the defunct satellite internet startup Teledesic. With StarBand shutting down, more spectrum may soon be on the market for SpaceX to scoop up.