Advanced Television

starlink

Analyst: Improvements in satellite broadband speeds

Analysts at CCG Consulting report that their examination of Ookla download statistics for satellite operators, and in particular SpaceX’s Starlink, shows a “significant improvement” in download speeds in Q3 2023 when compared with the position at the end of 2022. However, there are caveats. CCG says: “Starlink’s median download speed in the third quarter of […]

January 4, 2024By Chris Forrester

Musk: “No rush for Starlink IPO”

Elon Musk has again stressed that there is absolutely no rush to spin-off his SpaceX Starlink broadband-by-satellite business. He told Fortune magazine that having floated his Tesla car business (in 2010) he preferred Starlink to stay private. Of course, would-be investors have their eyes on a probable significant return on an Starlink investment, so the […]

January 2, 2024By Chris Forrester

Starlink: Over 2.3m active customers

SpaceX’s Starlink broadband by satellite service says it has more than 2.3 million active customers – up 300,000 from three months ago. However, Starlink declines to call these users “subscribers” which would – at least – confirm there was a commercial relationship in place. Starlink says that it is available on all seven continents and […]

December 22, 2023By Chris Forrester

India Telecommunications Bill under debate

Indian telcos and their satellite partners will have to wait some time to access new satellite spectrum over the nation. A new Telecommunications Bill is now under debate and this is not likely to be finally decided and approved until a planned budget session in February 2024. The various authorities will then need time to […]

December 21, 2023

Forecast: 28,700 satellites to launch in next decade

Analysts at Euroconsult forecast that the next decade will see some 28,700 satellites launched into space. The activity will be worth around $588 billion (€536.4bn). Activity from, Starlink, Project Kuiper, Telesat’s Lightspeed, Eutelsat/OneWeb and Chinese craft will lead the exponential growth. The analysts admit that their forecast might be an underestimate; they have included in […]

December 20, 2023By Chris Forrester

India backs ‘free’ satellite access

India’s government is proposing that satellite spectrum over the country will be assigned without would-be operators having to bid for the bandwidth. This rule, if enabled, will be a major advantage for the likes of Amazon’s Project Kuiper, Eutelsat/OneWeb and Elon Musk’s SpaceX/Starlink. The proposed Bill was tabled for approval in India’s parliament on December […]

December 20, 2023

SpaceX applies for Drone Ships

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has applied to the FCC for permission to place 12 US flagged ‘Drone Ships’ in an experiment to fill the maritime gaps. The tests will run from January 1st to June 29th 2024. The Drone Ships will be placed in US territorial waters in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The SpaceX request […]

December 20, 2023By Chris Forrester

Report: “Starlink most disruptive force in sat market”

Starlink is busy counting down the days to the end of the month with observers speculating on whether it might reach a rumoured 100 launches for 2023. Either way, SpaceX and its Starlink division have achieved a spectacular 2023, and with 2024 launches of its giant Starship expected, the company can expect further intense media […]

December 19, 2023By Chris Forrester

Costco Japan slashes Starlink price

Japan’s Costco Online is selling SpaceX’s Starlink broadband-by-satellite equipment for Yen 33,000 (about $227) and a reduction of Y22,000 (approx €138). However, buyers have to move fast and order the kit by December 31st. The price is a bargain given that Costco US continues to sell Starlink equipment at the routine $499 cost. Meanwhile, a […]

December 15, 2023By Chris Forrester

SpaceX sells shares at $97

SpaceX, as expected, has sold ‘insider’ shares at $97 (€88.80) to existing and new shareholders. It means that SpaceX is now valued at around $180 billion. The $97 achieved is a couple of dollars better than the rumoured $95 talked about over the past few weeks and indicates a strong demand for participation. Investors would […]

December 14, 2023By Chris Forrester