SpaceX's Starlink has already shipped 100,000 terminals2021-08-25 18:58 by DanielaTags: SpaceX, Starlink
Starlink has already shipped 100,000 satellite internet terminals before it has even achieved global coverage. SpaceX chief Elon Musk has revealed the figure on Twitter, where he also listed the 14 regions where the service is currently available. "Our license applications are pending in many more countries. Hoping to serve Earth soon!" he said in a follow-up tweet. Starlink's goal is to deliver high-speed internet to rural areas, where broadband is extremely hard to come by. It differs from other satellite internet providers in that its strategy is to launch thousands of low-orbit satellites. Currently, SpaceX has deployed roughly 1,800 satellites, with the ultimate goal of 42,000 of these things floating around Earth by mid-2027. The benefit of these low-orbit satellites is that they have lower latency, which makes Starlink a viable alternative to 5G and fiber in remote areas. Many of Starlink's beta customers live in remote or rural areas, where access to conventional broadband is limited or nonexistent. Customers pay a $499 upfront cost for the service, which covers a starter kit to get them off the ground: a user terminal (which SpaceX lovingly refers to as "Dishy McFlatface"), Wi-Fi router, power supply, cables and a mounting tripod. The quality of Starlink's connection stands to improve as SpaceX keeps filling out the constellation with additional satellites - though some astronomers have sounded alarms about obstructions to night sky visibility. SpaceX says it's trying to address those concerns with improved satellite designs that include nonreflective exteriors. Read more -here-
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