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FCC Authorizes SpaceX to Provide Broadband Satellite Services

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Re: FCC Authorizes SpaceX to Provide Broadband Satellite Services

#31

Post by seiferteric »

the-pigeon wrote: post #21
gingernaut wrote: post #11

What the implications are for countries that severely restrict and monitor internet access? Would Chinese citizens be able to sign up for this service? Would SpaceX comply with foreign governments asking to ban connections or new customers from their countries?

It would be subject to local wireless spectrum control. So like for your example it would have to sell to Chinese customers illegally if it wasn't going to comply with their censorship regulations. Which the Chinese government could then do a lot to fight. So basically no, satellite internet is unlikely to have any impact on censorship.

Here's a wild idea... They could disable transmit in these areas, but allow reception. Someone in a hostile area with access to an antenna could send one way messages up with useful info.

Re: FCC Authorizes SpaceX to Provide Broadband Satellite Services

#32

Post by wongarsu »

csdreamer7 wrote: post #23
wongarsu wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From what I remember he implied direct connection from home to satellite. Latency could beat fiber, but I am sceptical about bandwith in high population areas (and bandwith of the satellite mesh network). It will be a game-changer for low density areas, but most of us will probably still want a fiber connection.

> Latency could beat fiber Where did you get that information? The last article I read (I believe TechCrunch) said the latency would be somewhat slower then cable (which isn't bad).

Both is kind of correct. I can't find the interview right now, but to paraphrase Elon's math: you have ~2 ms from earth to satellite + ~2 ms from satellite to earth + travel time throught the satellite network (which happens at speed of light in vacuum + routing delays). Normal fiber travels at the speed of light in fiber (which is significantly lower than speed of light in vacuum), and usually takes a route signifiantly longer than a straight line. In the end satellite could be faster, but in reality typical performance will be slighty slower than fiber (for example the datacenter is probably not directly connected to the satellite network, so you have the network route to the nearest uplink to account for)

Re: FCC Authorizes SpaceX to Provide Broadband Satellite Services

#33

Post by kakarot »

wallace_f wrote: post #26
godzillabrennus wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Regulation can enhance confidence and breed investment interest.

People aren't perfect, and some are terrible, so it makes sense to have government. However, it is reasonable to be critical of government removing your rights to work. Actually, it is a civil duty. I am not sure where the line should be drawn, but it has certainly gone too far. Should you need gov approval to download an IDE, or sell an app? What about to braid hair?[1] I would bet that as soon as government begins…

What does any of that have to do with launching satellites and distributing radio bandwidth, both of which need regulation in order to provide safety for the masses?

Re: FCC Authorizes SpaceX to Provide Broadband Satellite Services

#35

Post by [deleted] »

nradov wrote: post #28
neo4sure wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would like to know how this technology will affect the great firewall of China, does anyone have any ideas?

Not much effect. The Chinese government will prohibit import and possession of the ground terminals. Smugglers will bring in a few but not enough to really bypass the Great Firewall for many people.

[deleted]

Re: FCC Authorizes SpaceX to Provide Broadband Satellite Services

#36

Post by kakarot »

the-pigeon wrote: post #21
gingernaut wrote: post #11

What the implications are for countries that severely restrict and monitor internet access? Would Chinese citizens be able to sign up for this service? Would SpaceX comply with foreign governments asking to ban connections or new customers from their countries?

It would be subject to local wireless spectrum control. So like for your example it would have to sell to Chinese customers illegally if it wasn't going to comply with their censorship regulations. Which the Chinese government could then do a lot to fight. So basically no, satellite internet is unlikely to have any impact on censorship.

It's a pretty easy problem to solve: This is extraterrestrial wireless internet, and geography should have no bearing on your service. Don't require an address, just an account. Problem solved. Others will step in to resell bandwidth if SpaceX doesn't want to involve themselves with this political nightmare.

Re: FCC Authorizes SpaceX to Provide Broadband Satellite Services

#37

Post by spullara »

tyingq wrote: post #20
cft wrote: post #12

Will it work inside cars without a special antenna?

From one of their early FAQ docs: https://www.reddit.com/r/Starlink/comments/7zqm2c/starlink_f... "What kind of antenna does it use? It will use a flat Phased Array antenna about the size of a pizza box or laptop computer and expected to cost between $100 and $300. You will need line of sight to the open sky, mounted on your roof or anywhere outside. The antenna handles both upload and download and is capable of giga…

Sounds a lot like you could get it installed when you are putting in your solar panels......

Re: FCC Authorizes SpaceX to Provide Broadband Satellite Services

#39

Post by banachtarski »

wongarsu wrote: post #32
csdreamer7 wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Latency could beat fiber Where did you get that information? The last article I read (I believe TechCrunch) said the latency would be somewhat slower then cable (which isn't bad).

Both is kind of correct. I can't find the interview right now, but to paraphrase Elon's math: you have ~2 ms from earth to satellite + ~2 ms from satellite to earth + travel time throught the satellite network (which happens at speed of light in vacuum + routing delays). Normal fiber travels at the speed of light in fiber (which is significantly lower than speed of light in vacuum), and usually takes a route signifia…

Does the math account for packet loss though... satellite internet has historically been awful for this reason.

Re: FCC Authorizes SpaceX to Provide Broadband Satellite Services

#40

Post by LeoPanthera »

celticninja wrote: post #30
LeoPanthera wrote: post #8

Do they have to get a license from every country in which they intend to operate?

No, you need to get authorisation to launch a payload based on where your company is headquartered.

Does that mean, once you have a satellite in orbit, you can transmit anything into any country?
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