Starlink - Internet for All
In the 21st Century, internet access has become nearly as valuable a resource as food, water, and shelter. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for internet access has become even more essential, as social-distancing measures around the world have caused people to work from home. For many Americans, 86% to be exact, internet access is no issue, but globally only 65.6% of people have access to the internet. Additionally, internet speeds around the world average only 24.83 mbps (megabits per second), which is comparable to waiting nearly a half hour to download a two-hour movie.
Starlink, a subsidiary company of SpaceX, aims to tackle this global issue using thousands of interconnected satellites hovering in low-orbit around the Earth. Led by Elon Musk, the Starlink project was started in 2015, with the first 60 satellites being launched into space in 2018. Now, as of 2021, Starlink has over 1700 satellites in low-Earth orbit with a goal to have full Earth coverage by 2022, which would include well over 10,000 satellites.
So how good is the internet Starlink is offering? Users can expect to see data speeds vary from 50 to 150 megabits per second, which is 2x-6x times faster than the global average, and Musk aims to double those numbers to 300 mbps by the end of 2021. If these numbers are correct, Starlink can bring nearly 35% of the world internet access by 2022 and can increase global internet access at a rate comparable to the early 2000’s. There is currently live positioning and coverage of the satellites on the Starlink website here.
The Starlink setup is incredibly easy. Starlink makes finding positioning incredibly simple by utilizing virtual reality within an app to place a pin in the house where the best signal is. The cost of the service is billed at $99 per month, plus taxes and fees, and an initial payment of $500 for the mountable satellite dish and router that you'll need to install at home. This isn’t the cheapest internet option, but access to higher speed internet can lead to higher incomes according to a Chalmer's university study, which is greatly needed in impoverished communities.
Many skeptics say that fiber optics cables are superior to satellites in regard to the internet. This statement is true in terms of speed and reliability with fiber optics offering speeds of 1000+ mbps, as well as reliable connection during severe weather storms, unlike satellite internet. It is not true when it comes to global coverage though, because providers are very selective about where they install fiber optics cables. It costs about $20,000 per mile to install a cable and an additional $500-$1000 to attach it to a home. With about 13 homes per mile, and subscribers paying approximately $65 per month, fiber optics providers are only making about $33 per month in net revenue. This model makes fiber optics providers avoid rural areas, because there is just no way they can turn a profit even with FCC funding. This is where Starlink global coverage comes in since anyone with a dish can get high-speed internet. Starlink is willing to do this because they have an eventually profitable space monopoly with SpaceX that provides the only reusable space rockets that can launch 60 satellites every two weeks.
The bottom line is, both fiber optics, broadband, and satellite internet companies have their place and purpose in the world. The goal of Starlink is to fill the gap where alternatives cannot exist in order for the entire world to have the much needed access to finally join the technologically based global economy.
Sources: CNET, Worldpopulationreview.com, Otelco
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