With latency as low as 25ms, SpaceX to launch broadband satellites in 2019

Post by H4CK3RM4N » Thu, May 04, 2017, 2:00 AM UTC

viraptor wrote: post #72

bmcusick wrote: post #11

This is good news for the USA, but it's GREAT news for countries where the government regularly cuts off and controls the Internet for political purposes. If receivers can be as small as a personal laptop, expect a thriving black market in them in places like Iran and Egypt. Such receivers can also act as backhaul for mesh networks, providing access to un-censored information in times of turmoil and peace alike.

I'd say it's more of problematic than great news for places with state controlled study. But it has potential. Where it's Great news is places which already can use only satellite internet, but have very poor experience. Rural Australia for example. Having low local (or even global) latency would be amazing.

Post by nojvek » Thu, May 04, 2017, 5:41 AM UTC

viraptor wrote: post #72

bmcusick wrote: post #11

This is good news for the USA, but it's GREAT news for countries where the government regularly cuts off and controls the Internet for political purposes. If receivers can be as small as a personal laptop, expect a thriving black market in them in places like Iran and Egypt. Such receivers can also act as backhaul for mesh networks, providing access to un-censored information in times of turmoil and peace alike.

I'd say it's more of problematic than great news for places with state controlled study. But it has potential. Where it's Great news is places which already can use only satellite internet, but have very poor experience. Rural Australia for example. Having low local (or even global) latency would be amazing.

Post by skrause » Thu, May 04, 2017, 6:15 AM UTC

Neeek wrote: post #104

dharma1 wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's the plan - but when you have thousands or tens of thousands of satellites malfunctions can happen. Also, lots of existing space debris orbiting the earth that can hit satellites

These low orbits aren't stable though, I think they only have a lifetime of 10-20 years before their lateral velocity decays and they de-orbit on their own, it's not like will just be stuck up there.

Post by mlindner » Thu, May 04, 2017, 8:02 AM UTC

ben_w wrote: post #69

shmerl wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it's difficult and/or expensive, it's not a real alternative, isn't it?

I'm using 3G or 4G as a cheaper alternative to landline broadband. It's… acceptable, but not amazing. 20 GB per month doesn't go as far as it used to before I started watching so many YouTube videos, even though I use 144p whenever possible.

Post by dharma1 » Thu, May 04, 2017, 9:41 AM UTC

DamnYuppie wrote: post #64

Klathmon wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well seeing as any future business in either rockets or satellite internet both depend on not creating space junk, I think they are pretty motivated to not let that happen.

Humanity is not so good at doing things in their best interests. We have over utilized any natural resource we have ever consumed often to our own determent.