India’s state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL), which provides mobile voice and internet services throughout India, is looking to link with SpaceX’s Starlink broadband-by-satellite system. BSNL was established in October 2000 having grown out of the early publicly-owned telegrapgh, telegram and telephone system. Its fibre system (Bharat Fiber) was launched in 2019. Its landline system had […]
Research from Luke Kehoe, Lead Industry Analyst at Ookla, reveals that low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband is no longer just a niche backup plan—it is actively filling the continent’s toughest connectivity gaps. Starlink’s role as a low-Earth orbit broadband provider is clearest in those remaining gaps. Across Europe, the service is most visible where fixed […]
As expected, SpaceX issued its 308-page S-1 Prospectus for its Initial Public Offering (IPO) after the markets closed on May 20th. There were some surprises, not least that its losses last year were $4.9 billion (€4.27bn) on revenues of $18.7 billion. The Prospectus shows that Elon Musk will not just remain the largest shareholder but […]
SpaceX is increasing its monthly fees for Starlink subscribers. The price rises cover Starlink’s Residential and Roaming plans in the US, the UK and certain other markets. SpaceX explained the price rises, noting: “Strong demand for Starlink reflects the value customers continue to see in the service. This adjustment supports ongoing improvements and investment in […]
Uganda has become the 28th African country to grant permission to SpaceX’s Starlink broadband-by-satellite system. President Museveni announced the deal, noting Starlink’s commitment to complying with Ugandan laws and regulations. Museveni said that he had a “productive meeting” with the representatives of tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink, which is looking to establish a presence in […]
South Africa’s communications regulator Icasa continues to defy the nation’s Communications Minister Solly Malatsi’s demand that permission be given for SpaceX’s Starlink to operate in the country. In a statement on May 13th, Icasa said that to grant such permission would need an amendment to the country’s Electronic Communications Act (ECA). Icasa says it had […]
SpaceX’s Starlink broadband-by-satellite system has hit 20 million daily active customers. The most recent 2 million additions came over the course of just 81 days, an average of 24,500 new sign-ups per day. Taking the system back to its October 27th 2020 launch this latest number translates into some 6,000 additions per day. What is […]
On April 30th an Arianespace 64 rocket delivered 32 satellites for Amazon Leo’s mega-constellation. All 32 satellites were deployed over 12 separation events lasting roughly 25 minutes in total and thus helping put the satellites into ideal orbital positions between 450 and 470 kms altitude. That is too high, says SpaceX’s Starlink. The launch provided […]
FCC chairman Brendan Carr, talking on a panel session at the wireless CTIA event in Washington last week, said that the market for direct-to-phone (D2D) service needs more than one competitor to Starlink. “We think the market wants to be, should be, at least three facilities-based providers,” Carr told the CTIA’s recently appointed president/CEO Ajit […]
Starlink has lowered its introductory broadband pricing for the first three months of service. Specifically, the 100 Mb/s tier now costs $29 (€24.70) per month (down from $50), the 200 Mb/s tier $59 per month (down from $80) and Residential Max $99 per month (down from $120). This is not the first time that Starlink […]