4 ms·

I’m a huge fan of Tesla and SpaceX but I’m not sure Starlink is a “big deal” the same way that Starship is a Big Deal. Starlink isn’t a paradigm shift unless t

by zaroth 7y ago

I’m a huge fan of Tesla and SpaceX but I’m not sure Starlink is a “big deal” the same way that Starship is a Big Deal. Starlink isn’t a paradigm shift unless the receiver can fit in the cell phone form factor. In the meantime, Starlink is a great way for SpaceX to print money using the same infrastructure and expertise they needed to build anyway.

baq 7y ago
SpaceX needs launches to make the Starship viable economically. Starlink is a way to get those launches and may be a good business in itself to finance Mars exploration.
agildehaus 7y ago
Smartphones will directly benefit from Starlink as suddenly is becomes much easier and cheaper to deploy cell towers. Starlink is the key to near-global cellular coverage.
diminoten 7y ago
It's a Big Deal for folks who are behind Internet censorship, isn't it? No way for the various country firewalls to prevent these devices from working in their countries, is there?
- dzhiurgis 7y ago
  Quite the opposite. Your equipment will be promptly detected and you'll be sent to gulag... Most dictatorships forbid using satcom.
- jedieaston 7y ago
  Elon has said that they'll allow Starlink partners to censor when they resell the service in their local market. Probably the only way that they'd be able to sell their service in that market.
gdubs 7y ago
A lot of people in rural areas — close to major metro areas in the US — have terribly limited internet options. Traditional satellite internet is a decent option if it works on your property, but there’s a substantial latency. Fixed wireless requires line-of-sight to a tower, and cell providers don’t necessarily have the desire to get towers in these areas in a meaningful number. Starlink could bring connectivity to a lot of people.
beatgammit 7y ago
I would love to have a suitcase-sized wireless hotspot that I can bring with me on road trips. There are a lot of places in the US that I drive where there is no 4G, or coverage is very spotty at best. Also, I work at home, and the main reason I don't work while traveling is that I can't depend on reliable internet. With a portable, reliable internet connection, I could absolutely see myself being more mobile, perhaps working from other countries more often. Also, more options for internet connection at my house would be awesome since it would likely drop prices for internet in many areas.

by zaroth 7y ago

baq 7y ago

SpaceX needs launches to make the Starship viable economically. Starlink is a way to get those launches and may be a good business in itself to finance Mars exploration.

agildehaus 7y ago

Smartphones will directly benefit from Starlink as suddenly is becomes much easier and cheaper to deploy cell towers. Starlink is the key to near-global cellular coverage.

diminoten 7y ago

It's a Big Deal for folks who are behind Internet censorship, isn't it? No way for the various country firewalls to prevent these devices from working in their countries, is there?

dzhiurgis 7y ago
Quite the opposite. Your equipment will be promptly detected and you'll be sent to gulag... Most dictatorships forbid using satcom.
jedieaston 7y ago
Elon has said that they'll allow Starlink partners to censor when they resell the service in their local market. Probably the only way that they'd be able to sell their service in that market.

gdubs 7y ago

A lot of people in rural areas — close to major metro areas in the US — have terribly limited internet options. Traditional satellite internet is a decent option if it works on your property, but there’s a substantial latency. Fixed wireless requires line-of-sight to a tower, and cell providers don’t necessarily have the desire to get towers in these areas in a meaningful number. Starlink could bring connectivity to a lot of people.

beatgammit 7y ago

I would love to have a suitcase-sized wireless hotspot that I can bring with me on road trips. There are a lot of places in the US that I drive where there is no 4G, or coverage is very spotty at best. Also, I work at home, and the main reason I don't work while traveling is that I can't depend on reliable internet. With a portable, reliable internet connection, I could absolutely see myself being more mobile, perhaps working from other countries more often. Also, more options for internet connection at my house would be awesome since it would likely drop prices for internet in many areas.