Starlink making 100,000 dishes per month
Geo-satellites, while sturdy, are facing tough competition from Starlink in the race for broadband connectivity, with Dr. Tim Farrar, President of TMF Associates, shedding light on the situation. Speaking at the 2023 Milsat Symposium during Silicon Valley Space Week, Farrar compared and contrasted established geostationary satellite operators like SES, Intelsat, Eutelsat, Viasat, and Telesat.
He delved into their role in providing broadband services to commercial clients and explored the cost implications, especially regarding the receive/transmit antennas for these tasks. Farrar pointed out the drastic shift in data capacity, stating, “A few years ago, Viasat was touting 15 Petabytes per month. Now, SpaceX’s Starlink is carrying a whopping 500 Petabytes per month. In fact, Starlink has already secured the majority of the world’s satellite data traffic.”
Farrar noted that geostationary satellite operators are divided into two camps: SES and Intelsat are either cooperating with Starlink or integrating with OneWeb, particularly in Intelsat’s case. Referring to the recent merger between Eutelsat and OneWeb, he remarked that Eutelsat and Telesat are venturing into building enterprise-grade LEO (Low Earth Orbit) systems to compete with Starlink, with a touch of skepticism: “Good luck with that.”
He emphasized that for most commercial users, there’s no need to invest in specialized, multi-orbit terminals. While some dish vendors might only sell a few thousand or a few hundred terminals of that type, Starlink is churning out a remarkable 100,000 dishes per month.
Farrar drew a parallel, stating, “GEO is rapidly becoming what L-band was 10 or 15 years ago. It’s going to be the resilient, backup option that’s always there, guaranteed, and reliable, but it’s super-expensive and limited when compared to what LEO is poised to achieve.”
Starlink claimed over 2 million subscribers in September. If Farrar’s estimate of 100,000 dishes is accurate, it suggests that Starlink, while not officially confirmed by Farrar, is likely to have close to 2.5 million active users by the end of the year.
Conclusion:
The article highlights the intense competition in the broadband connectivity arena, with traditional geostationary satellites facing a formidable challenge from SpaceX’s Starlink. Dr. Tim Farrar, President of TMF Associates, provided insights into the shifting dynamics at the 2023 Milsat Symposium. Starlink’s rapid ascent, with its capacity to handle 500 Petabytes per month and over 2 million subscribers in September, poses a significant threat to established geostationary satellite operators.
Farrar’s comments indicate a clear division in the industry, with some operators aligning with Starlink or OneWeb and others attempting to compete by building enterprise-grade LEO systems. However, the sheer scale of Starlink’s production, turning out 100,000 dishes monthly, underscores the challenge that traditional players face in this evolving landscape. The article suggests that geostationary satellites may become backup options, while LEO systems offer greater potential for broadband connectivity.
FAQs
Q: What is Starlink, and how does it differ from traditional geostationary satellites?
A: Starlink is a satellite internet constellation project by SpaceX that operates in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Unlike traditional geostationary satellites, LEO satellites are closer to Earth, providing faster and more responsive internet services.
Q: Why is Starlink considered a significant disruptor in the broadband connectivity industry?
A: Starlink’s ability to handle vast data capacity, rapid subscriber growth, and aggressive production of user terminals has made it a formidable competitor, challenging the dominance of geostationary satellite operators.
Q: What is the role of geostationary satellites in the changing landscape of broadband connectivity?
A: Geostationary satellites are transitioning into a backup role, ensuring reliability but at a higher cost and limited capacity compared to the emerging LEO satellite systems.
Q: How are traditional satellite operators responding to the challenge posed by Starlnk and LEO systems?
A: Some operators are forming partnerships with LEO providers, like Starlink or OneWeb, while others are attempting to compete by building their own LEO systems.
Q: What are the implications of Starlnk’s rapid expansion in terms of user adoption and data capacity?
A: Starlnk’s significant subscriber base and data handling capacity suggest that it is well on its way to becoming a major player in the broadband connectivity market.
Q: What should businesses and consumers consider when choosing satellite-based broadband services?
A: The choice between traditional geostationary satellites and emerging LEO systems depends on factors such as speed, reliability, cost, and geographical coverage, and these should be carefully assessed to meet specific needs.
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