Satellite Internet

Avoiding Low-Earth Orbit Collisions – the Clock Is Ticking

There was a recent dispute between OneWeb and SpaceX regarding the possibility of a collision between two of their low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. OneWeb's satellite (OneWeb-1078) was launched on March 25 and headed for its orbit at an altitude of 1,200 km when, in early April, it passed near a SpaceX satellite (Starlink-1546) in orbit at about 450 km. There was no collision, but subsequently, OneWeb's government affairs chief Chris McLaughlin said... more

An Update on LEO Satellites

A lot of rural America continues to hope that low orbit satellite (LEO) service will provide a broadband alternative. It's been a while since I've covered the status of the companies proposing to deploy constellations of satellites for providing broadband. In March, OneWeb filed for Chapter 11 restructuring when it was clear that the company could not raise enough cash to continue the research and development of the satellite product. more

SpaceX Launches Another Batch of 60 Starlink Internet Satellites

SpaceX launched its eighth Starlink mission via the Falcon 9 rocket on Wednesday, carrying 60 more satellites for its Internet satellite constellation, bringing the total in operation on orbit to 480. more

Starlink Making a Space Grab

SpaceNews recently reported that Elon Musk and his low-orbit space venture Starlink have filed with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to launch an additional 30,000 broadband satellites in addition to the 11,927 now in the planning stages. This looks like a land grab and Musk is hoping to grab valuable orbital satellite paths to keep them away from competitors. more

SpaceX Launching Two Experimental Internet Satellites This Weekend

On Saturday, SpaceX will be launching two experimental mini-satellites that will pave the path for the first batch of what is planned to be a 4,000-satellite constellation providing low-cost internet around the earth. more

AT&T Chief Challenges Economics of SpaceX’s Mobile-Network Strategy

AT&T CEO John Stankey questions the economics of SpaceX's expanding mobile strategy as regulatory filings and independent measurements show the spectrum, satellite capacity and terrestrial infrastructure involved in scaling direct-to-device service. more

SpaceX Deploys First 26 Starlink V3 Satellites on Starship

SpaceX deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites on Starship’s first orbital mission, beginning a network expansion whose promised capacity gains depend on the spacecraft completing checkout and entering service. more

SpaceX Wants to End Rural Broadband Subsidies

SpaceX argues that Starlink makes rural broadband subsidies obsolete, but questions about speed, universal availability, voice service and affordability complicate its case for eliminating high-cost Universal Service Fund support. more

Remote Work Is Here to Stay, but Rural Broadband Gaps Remain

Remote work remains far above pre-pandemic levels, but rural participation trails urban areas as job mix and inadequate broadband limit opportunities for working from home. more

Starlink’s Other Network

Starshield gives SpaceX a separate military satellite network, raising a broader question about whether Starlink could dedicate satellites to cellular and business backhaul without reducing broadband capacity for residential customers. more

FCC Moves to Open 1,050 MHz of Spectrum to Satellite Broadband

The FCC plans to open 1,050 MHz in the 12.7 GHz and 42 GHz bands to expanded satellite use, adding capacity for broadband, mobile connectivity, inter-satellite links and ground networks. more

Satellite Collisions Rise as Earth’s Orbits Grow Crowded

Rapid satellite growth is raising collision risks as orbital debris accumulates, avoidance maneuvers multiply, and solar storms could disable spacecraft, exposing the absence of effective international governance for increasingly crowded orbits. more

NASA Awards Blue Origin Up to $700 Million for Mars Communications Network

NASA selected Blue Origin to build and operate a Mars communications network, extending commercial infrastructure into deep space with high-capacity relays and delay-tolerant networking designed for reliable, interoperable communications among future missions. more

4iG and SpaceX Plan Starlink Mobile Rollout Across Hungary and Western Balkans

4iG and SpaceX plan direct-to-device Starlink services across four European markets, alongside secured government communications, but national spectrum approvals and key details of the proposed sovereign infrastructure remain unresolved. more

China’s Qianfan Emerges as a Satellite Internet Option for Cuba

China's Qianfan satellite constellation could bring high-speed internet to Cuba, where Starlink remains banned, deepening Beijing's digital influence while giving Havana a connectivity upgrade designed to preserve the government's control over online access. more