Technology & Security

Elon Musk: SpaceX ready to roll out Starlink satellite internet

  • 3 min Read
  • October 6, 2021

Author

Escalon

Table of Contents

In 2020, the U.S. federal government awarded Elon Musk’s SpaceX, an aerospace manufacturer, space transportation services and communications corporation, $885.5 million to launch Starlink, a satellite company that aims to build a faster and more reliable internet service option for rural areas. A new type of satellite technology, Starlink uses low-orbit satellites. Low-orbit satellites reduce latency, which is the total time it takes for the signal to be transferred. 

In September, founder and CEO Musk announced that Starlink is ready to come out of its public beta phase in October. 

Even though fiber optic internet service will still provide speeds greater than Starlink’s internet service, the latter is being pegged as the ideal solution for rural areas that currently do not have access to internet services — Startlink’s internet can also be deployed at a much faster rate, for a significantly higher volume of individuals than fiber internet. 

How does SpaceX’s Starlink actually work?

Starlink aims to bring high-speed satellite internet service to every corner of the planet, except the North and South Poles (which will also happen at a later date), through a mega constellation of satellites in low orbit around Earth, tweeted Musk.

Starlink uses a satellite to transmit a signal to a user’s home. First, the internet service provider gets the internet signal via fiber from satellites in space. Then, the signal is moved to a central location called a network operations center. Eventually, the internet provider transmits that signal to individual users. In the case of Starlink, internet users receive the signal using individual satellite dishes.

The Starlink system requires a constellation of nearly 12,000 satellites in low-Earth orbits that will beam continuous broadband internet service. SpaceX has already launched 1,800 satellites into space. “We’ve successfully deployed 1,800 or so satellites and once all those satellites reach their operational orbit, we will have continuous global coverage,” said SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell at the virtual Macquarie Technology Summit in June 2021, according to Reuters.

According to Starlink’s website, during beta, users can expect to see data speeds vary from 50 Mbps to 150 Mbps and latency from 20 milliseconds to 40 milliseconds in most locations. The company expects those speeds to increase as its system is enhanced.

In April 2021, the Federal Communications Commission granted SpaceX permission to eventually deploy 12,000 satellites in total. to deploy more than 2,800 Starlink satellites at an orbit lower than 580 kilometers. 

When is coverage coming to your area?

This is the question on the minds of anyone using the internet today. After years of development within the company, and after securing almost $886 million in grant funds from the FCC, Starlink’s progress seems to be accelerating. According to Musk, Starlink has shipped more than 100,000 satellite internet terminals to customers in 14 countries. When exactly will you get to experience Starlink’s internet is yet to be seen! 

Talk to our team today to learn how Escalon can help take your company to the next level.

  • Expertise you can trust

    Our team is made up of seasoned professionals who bring years of industry experience to the table. You gain a trusted advisor who understands your business inside out.

  • Quality and consistency

    Say goodbye to the hassles of hiring, training and managing in-house finance teams. You will never have to worry about unexpected leave of absence or retraining new employees.

  • Scalability and Flexibility

    Whether you’re a small business or a global powerhouse, our solutions scale with your needs. We eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs and help you focus on growing your business.

Contact Us Today!

Tap into the latest insights from experts in your industry

Accounting & Finance

Navigating Grant Management and Financial Reporting for Biotech Startups 

Biotech startups operate in a unique financial landscape, where securing grants, venture capital, and government funding is crucial for driving...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

Financial Compliance in the Decentralized Era: What Web3 Startups Need to Know 

As the world leans into the decentralized era, Web3 startups are at the forefront, exploring the possibilities of blockchain, cryptocurrencies,...

Read More
People Management & HR

Payroll Services: Streamlining Processes in High-Turnover Consumer Goods Settings 

  Managing payroll can be complicated in any industry, but it becomes especially challenging in the consumer goods sector, where...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

Navigating Payroll for Nonprofit Organizations: Staying Compliant with Grant Funding Rules 

Nonprofit organizations often rely on grant funding to carry out their missions, whether that involves community development, education, healthcare, or...

Read More
Media & Entertainment

Compliance in the Media World: Navigating Intellectual Property and Contracts 

In today’s hyper-connected media landscape, safeguarding intellectual property (IP) and expertly managing contracts are indispensable for success. Media companies—from traditional...

Read More
Accounting

Introducing C3: Your All-in-One Financial Management Platform

Managing your business’s finances can often feel like juggling too many tasks at once, especially when you’re trying to keep...

Read More
Startups

Sourcing Passive Candidates: Strategies for Expanding Your Talent Pool with Outsourcing 

  One of the most valuable sources of talent for startups is the pool of passive candidates—individuals who aren’t actively...

Read More
Startups

Managing Cash Flow in SaaS: Leveraging Outsourced Accounting to Scale Faster 

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, and this holds especially true for Software as a Service (SaaS) companies....

Read More
People Management & HR

The Advantages of Outsourcing HR for Nonprofits with Limited Budgets

Nonprofits play a vital role in addressing societal issues, but managing the intricacies of human resources (HR) within the constraints...

Read More