In 2015, Elon Musk and SpaceX decided to commercialise the concept of space-based Internet connectivity, and called their idea Starlink Internet. Over the next few years, they launched thousands of satellites to execute this idea.
Starlink provides high-speed internet services using a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Also, take into account that one-third of the world’s population still doesn’t have internet access. So it makes pretty much sense why SpaceX invested so much in this technology.
Before we go any further, let’s just have a look at the history and conception of SpaceX Starlink Internet.
HISTORY
The idea was first conceptualized in 2015 when Elon Musk approached the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) for testing a “global broadband” system, and in September of 2017 filed applications for a satellite-based broadband network called Starlink, with the objective of eventually building a low-cost, satellite-based broadband network capable of delivering internet access to the entire globe.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a project launched by Elon Musk Internet company, SpaceX. With satellites in orbit, it provides internet access to everyone on the planet. This is essential as many individuals live in remote or difficult-to-reach areas without reliable internet access. With this issue resolved, Starlink Internet aims to ensure that everyone, wherever they may reside, can access the internet.
How Does it Work?
While satellite internet has been around for a while, it’s been bogged down by high dormancy (latencies up to 600 ms), unreliable connections, and spotty service areas. With Starlink, SpaceX aims to put a constellation of satellites in low-Earth orbit, thereby providing high speed, and cable-like internet to every corner of the planet.
Starlink Technology
Standard telecommunications satellites mostly sit in a geostationary orbit thousands of miles above Earth’s equator and follow the direction of Earth’s rotation, so appearing to stay in one place to serve one region. Their distance from Earth means a lag of about a second or more.
To deliver satellite internet, Starlinks obviously transmits data through radio signals in space rather than wires like fiber optics. Ground stations give signals to satellites orbiting the Earth, which then transmit data to customers. Each satellite weighs 573 pounds, and up to 60 can be launched using a single SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The goal is to build a low-latency network in space to support edge computing on Earth. To do this, SpaceX intends to launch a constellation of approximately 42,000 tiny satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO), enabling tight network coverage and lower latency. As of 2024, there are around 5,650 operational satellites in Starlink broadband mega constellation.
Starlink competes with OneWeb, HughesNet, Viasat, and Amazon, but it stands out because it uses thousands of small LEO satellites to reduce latency with shorter orbits.
What are the Download Speeds on Starlink?
With download speeds ranging from 25 to 220 Mbps, Starlink Internet promises higher speeds than traditional satellite internet providers like Hughesnet and Viasat. Users in rural areas should expect a significant boost in internet performance with Starlink, while actual speeds may differ depending on factors such as location and network congestion.
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The Cost of Starlink Internet
The price of Starlink internet varies based on the data plan and service tier. With unlimited data usage, the Standard home internet package has a monthly starting price of $120. At higher monthly fees, higher-tier plans like Priority and Mobile offer more benefits like roaming privileges and more priority data.
Here is the overview of Starlink internet plans with prices in 2024:
| Plan | Price range* | Data allotment | Download speeds | Equipment fee |
| Standard [One location] | $120/mo. | Unlimited | 25 – 220 Mbps | $599 |
| Priority [One location] | $140 – $500/mo. | 40 GB – 2 TB | Up to 500 Mbps | $2,500 |
| Mobile [On the go] | $150 – $200/mo. | Unlimited | Varies | $599 |
| Mobile Priority [On the go] | $250 – $5,000/mo. | 50 GB – 5 TB | Varies | $2,500 |
Note: [*] mark signifies the value might differ.
Availability
Based on data from the Federal Communication Commission, 99.6% of US households have access to Starlink Internet, which shows its outstanding reach.
Global And Social Impact/Issues
1. Light Pollution & Astronomical Interference by Starlink
One of the most serious concerns about the Starlink constellation is its impact on astronomical observations. The initial deployment of satellites caused surprising brightness, causing interruptions for both amateur and professional astronomers. The brilliant “trains” of satellites have sparked issues with light pollution and interference, which might hinder scientific study and night sky views.
2. Radio Interference and Communication Disruptions
In addition to visual disturbance, Starlink’s radio-based antennae are considered a threat to radio astronomy. Radio astronomers are concerned that signals from the satellite constellation may disturb the study of celestial phenomena and potentially restrict our understanding of the universe.
3. Limited Speed and Coverage
Starlink’s restricted speed per beam, capped at 7Mbps, raises concerns about its ability to compete with current terrestrial networks, particularly in areas with good connectivity.
4. Rollout Phases and Connectivity Waiting Periods
While SpaceX’s phases rollout plan tries to address connectivity gaps, questions arise about the timing for widespread availability and the introduction of support for IoT devices. Users in underserved areas may experience lengthy wait times for access to reliable internet.
5. Speed Disparity
The claimed speed of 7Mbps can pose concerns, particularly when compared to existing high-speed internet services provided by terrestrial cellular networks. In the UAE, with an average speed of 324.92Mbps, and in India, with 94.62Mbps, the Starlink service may struggle to satisfy user expectations.
Starlink: The bottomline
Starlink internet certainly advances worldwide internet connectivity with a fleet of low Earth orbit satellites. Despite its promise to bring high-speed internet to rural regions, concerns arise about light pollution and limited coverage. Nonetheless, Starlink is a pioneering force in the fight to close the digital gap and reinvent global internet access.
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FAQs
1. Does bad weather affect Starlink?
Although Starlink Internet is built to survive a variety of weather situations, signal quality may be temporarily impacted by heavy precipitation or extensive cloud cover.
2. Are there any Starlink satellites visible in the sky?
Yes, after launch, when they are closely clustered, Starlink satellites can be seen with the naked eye as they move across the night sky in a string of bright lights.
3. Is 5G slower than Starlink?
The main difference between these competitors is latency and speed. The fastest download speed available on Starlink’s internet is 220 Mbps, although 5G technology can reach up to 20 Gbps.