Starlink: Internet from space - all info

Starlink aims to revolutionize the Internet on a technical level. The ambitious project of Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is currently in its initial phase. Our guide explains the background and everything that is known so far about its use.

With Starlink, all regions of the earth are to be supplied with fast Internet.

This is Starlink: Broadband Internet around the world

Starlink is designed to spread satellite Internet. The concept of satellite connectivity is not new and Starlink is not the first idea of its kind, however, it is now becoming concrete.

• First, SpaceX is launching 60 satellites into space. This is currently the maximum amount a SpaceX rocket can deliver. According to the plan, additional shipments of 60 satellites each will follow.
• The authorization, which was granted by the U.S. FCC, covers a total of 12,000 satellites. It will take several years to reach that number, as SpaceX launches are the limiting factor. Currently, SpaceX rockets have already launched nearly 900 satellites into space. The satellites will have different orbital altitudes: 4,425 satellites are expected to orbit 1,100 kilometers above the Earth's surface, while the remaining 7,500 will orbit at an altitude of only 300 kilometers.
• The cost to use Starlink currently consists of a monthly cost of $99 per month and a one-time cost of $449 for a starter kit. This contains a user terminal, a tripod for mounting and a WLAN router.

The advantage of satellite Internet is the independence from cable networks, as they are currently the standard. Remote regions with poor infrastructural connections would benefit most from this, especially countries in the developing world. In the future, a mix of satellite and cable Internet could become established in roughly equal proportions, ensuring global broadband coverage.