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Starlink requires bi-directional user terminals - they're not just a passive dish, but also a transmitter. That means whereever in the world you deploy them, u

Starlink requires bi-directional user terminals - they're not just a passive dish, but also a transmitter. That means whereever in the world you deploy them, unless you're in international waters, you're going to need a spectrum license. SpaceX won't be going against any countries - they'd just end up with their users going to jail. If SpaceX wants to deploy in China, it will be on China's terms. I think that Tesla's chinese factory doesn't greatly change that. SpaceX will get permission to sell to users in China only if the Chinese leadership thinks it's in China's and their interests.

gpm 7y ago
I'd also argue that there is basically 0 chance that China thinks putting telecommunications infrastructure under a US companies control is in their interest.
- mhandley 7y ago
  Well, it might happen as part of a quid pro quo deal. China also has plans in this space: http://www.ecns.cn/news/sci-tech/2018-09-19/detail-ifyyehna1446014.shtml http://www.ecns.cn/news/sci-tech/2018-09-19/detail-ifyyehna1... If China wants access to the US market for Hongyan, SpaceX and the FCC might be able to negotiate some form of access for Starlink to the Chinese market. Likely this would involve access from China relayed through Chinese ground gateways.
  - gpm 7y ago
    Sure, but I think that China would rather keep the US out of their infrastructure than get into the US infrastructure, and the reverse. Neither side seems likely to make such a deal. China especially heavily leverages their infrastructure for geopolitical purposes. Censoring and monitoring inside the country, launching attacks outside of the country, etc. I really doubt they want the US to get any leverage in the form of controlling some of the nodes, even if they are supposed to by agreement only route traffic from inside China to inside China.
- Symmetry 7y ago
  China could always license the use of Starlink connections to certified Chinese ISPs which they trust to wire them up through the government provided censorship box.

gpm 7y ago

I'd also argue that there is basically 0 chance that China thinks putting telecommunications infrastructure under a US companies control is in their interest.

mhandley 7y ago
Well, it might happen as part of a quid pro quo deal. China also has plans in this space: http://www.ecns.cn/news/sci-tech/2018-09-19/detail-ifyyehna1446014.shtml http://www.ecns.cn/news/sci-tech/2018-09-19/detail-ifyyehna1... If China wants access to the US market for Hongyan, SpaceX and the FCC might be able to negotiate some form of access for Starlink to the Chinese market. Likely this would involve access from China relayed through Chinese ground gateways.
- gpm 7y ago
  Sure, but I think that China would rather keep the US out of their infrastructure than get into the US infrastructure, and the reverse. Neither side seems likely to make such a deal. China especially heavily leverages their infrastructure for geopolitical purposes. Censoring and monitoring inside the country, launching attacks outside of the country, etc. I really doubt they want the US to get any leverage in the form of controlling some of the nodes, even if they are supposed to by agreement only route traffic from inside China to inside China.
Symmetry 7y ago
China could always license the use of Starlink connections to certified Chinese ISPs which they trust to wire them up through the government provided censorship box.