Researcher and industry consultant Dr Tim Farrar, of TMF Associates, has predicted that SpaceX’s Starlink broadband-by-satellite system is likely to end this year with around 5 million customers (although he stresses that they must not be termed as ‘subscribers’), and that during 2025 these would grow to around 8 million. Back in 2021 Elon Musk […]

Qatar Airways has taken the future of in-flight connectivity to greater heights by operating the world’s first Starlink-equipped Boeing 777 aircraft from Doha to London on October 22nd. Passengers can now stay entertained and connected throughout their journey, streaming their content and live sports, enjoying online gaming, or working seamlessly at 35,000 feet – all […]

India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) has allowed a further week for stakeholder comments and counter arguments as to its plans to price spectrum for would-be broadband satellite operators. The new deadlines are set as October 25th for comments and November 1st for counter-comments, following requests from stakeholders for more time. TRAI’s initial deadlines were October […]

A report from analysts at Quilty Space says that SpaceX has filed with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and requesting permission to modify Starlink’s architecture and establish what it calls SpaceX V3. The filing refers to SpaceX’s plans for a 30,000-satellite constellation (specifically, 29,988 satellites), of which the FCC has already authorised an initial […]

SpaceX’s Starlink ‘Direct-to-Cellular’ (D2C) telephony system is being tested in New Zealand. Ben Longmier, SpaceX’s Senior director, satellite engineering, has confirmed the activity, saying the trials are being conducted with its local telco partner, One New Zealand, which has some 2.4 million customers and is the nation’s largest 5G cellular operator. New Zealand is thus […]

SpaceX’s Starlink broadband system is testing its direct-to-cellular (D2C) satellite phone system in Romania, designed to show that Starlink satellites can operate at up to eight times the capacity currently allowed by the ITU’s EPFD (Equivalent Power Flux Density) limits, while still protecting geostationary satellites. Starlink’s D2C proposals are highly controversial, and many terrestrial cellular […]

Seven European cellular operators have issued negative comments on SpaceX’s plans to use its Starlink broadband satellites to provide ‘Direct-to-Cellular’ (D2C) services to consumers. Seven companies – including Vodafone, Liberty Global, Orange, PPF Telecom, Telefonica, Telenor and United Group – have told the FCC they’ll sue if the Commission loosens its rules for SpaceX’s cellular […]

Air France, the French national airline, has selected Starlink for its in-flight broadband needs. The SkyTeam member will fit its entire fleet with the Starlink IFC system to support free Wi-Fi for passengers, who will need to be members of its Flying Blue frequent flyer scheme. The decision is undoubtedly bad news for French satellite […]

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell told Texas legislators this week that it will pass 4 million customers for Starlink. That is up from 3 million since the end of May. She was speaking while testifying before a state House Appropriations Committee meeting. Starlink has been rolling out to new markets on a near-weekly basis, and there […]

South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa has held talks with Elon Musk over Starlink’s availability in the country, and the discussions included potential investments. Ramaphosa told local press that the discussions had taken place recently. Musk was born in South Africa and still has family in the country. “I have had discussions with [Musk] and have […]