Faster Starlink: Up to 300 Mbps from satellites
Faster Starlink
The Starlink connectivity service made available by SpaceX is set to improve significantly, already within the year. The confirmation came directly from Elon Musk, as always in the form of a Twitter post in response to a user. The link speed will increase to 300 Mbps (currently it is between 50 and 150 Mbps) and communication latency will be reduced to approximately 20 ms (currently 20-40 ms).Elon Musk: Starlink at 300 Mbps within the year
Today the company has already sent a total of over 1,100 satellites into orbit, but this is only the first step. The will is to reach 12,000 in the not too distant future so as to guarantee optimal coverage of the entire planet thanks to what can be defined as a real operational constellation about 550 km above our heads.Speed will double to ~ 300Mb / s & latency will drop to ~ 20ms later this year
- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 22, 2021
Musk also answers a question related to coverage, stating that the entire planet will be affected before the end of 2021. It will then be a question of increasing the density of the satellites, so as to improve the system. In this regard, a clue has emerged in recent weeks that suggests a possible launch in Italy as well.
Most of Earth by end of year, all by next year, then it's about densifying coverage.
Important to note that cellular will always have the advantage in dense urban areas.
Satellites are best for low to medium population density areas.
- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 22, 2021
SpaceX's number one also points out that by its very nature, Starlink will be less suited to densely populated areas where landlines and traditional mobile networks will continue to represent the best choices. The service is designed above all to solve the problem of the digital divide that still afflicts many areas, primarily those far from the big cities.
Source: Elon Musk on Twitter
Starlink Will Double Internet Speeds Later This Year, Says Elon Musk
KEY POINTSSpaceX is aiming to double the internet speed provided by the Starlink satellite system to 300Mbps later this year, according to CEO Elon Musk.
The company has already set proper expectations regarding the estimated speed, which should ideally range anywhere between 50 to 150 Mbps. Although it was not announced via official channels, Musk shared details about the same via social media.
The original thread was posted on Feb. 22 by Twitter user @SpaceXFan97 and read: “Today I finally received my Starlink beta kit from @SpaceX . I've wanted Starlink ever since it was announced years ago and now that I finally have it and I couldn't be happier!” He then offered an overview of how much he currently pays for traditional internet service along with the speeds for downloads and uploads.
After posting his installation progress, Musk replied to the subscriber’s tweet about the initial speed test he performed using the Starlink service. The Tesla CEO stated: “Speed will double to ~300Mb/s & latency will drop to ~20ms later this year.”
The Verge points out that these numbers are not exactly groundbreaking, but it is faster than what most regular providers can manage in certain areas.
What followed was another query from a different user about Starlink’s coverage and Musk replied with another update. “Most of Earth by end of the year, all by next year, then it’s about densifying coverage.” It is worth noting that he acknowledges the advantages cellular data has in urban areas with optimal network services.
However, when it comes to “low to medium population density areas,” satellite-based services are still the best option. Starlink is an array of interconnected satellites that people in the space industry refer to as a “constellation,” says CNBC. Ideally, once all the necessary equipment and systems are fully optimized, it would make high-speed internet access possible from anywhere on the planet.
From a financial standpoint, the completed project would cost the company approximately a little over $10 billion. On the other hand, it also has the potential to rake in as much as $30 billion annually. SpaceX already has more than 1,000 Starlink satellites in orbit to date.
