What is Starlink? Is it useful or not?

Starlink is an internet satellite developed by SpaceX. Starlink aim to provide high speed internet in all over the world particularly in those areas where internet is not provided like deserts, sea, rivers, forests, etc. Here is a full explanation about it:

1. Performance:

• Speed: Starlink claims that it can offer internet speed from 50mbps to 250 mbps with a latency of 20-40 ms. Internet speed is based on locations and its users. In urban areas, where users are high, speed may drops in the peak times. While in remote, it provide high speed with low latency compared to other internet satellites.
• Latency: Starlink latency is lower than other geostationary satellites (600+ms) that is beneficial for high level gaming because of Starlink’ lower orbit satellites help to achieve it by close to the earth.

2. Hardware:

• Starlink include a phase- array dish and Wi-Fi router that make it relatively straightforward with an app that help user to find optimal dish placement.
• Durability: It designed work in harsh weather but highly increased weather like heavy rain, snow fall, and storms may decreased its performance.

3. Cost:

Its prices are $599 for dish and router and $110 for its monthly subscription for basic plan and premium plans are charge more price. The cost of Starlink internet is expensive to the most of the other brands but they aim to better quality of internet to them.

4. Coverage:

As per now, Starlink cover most of the part of the world and expanded day by day. While it is a biggest brand to provide internet in both rural and remote areas compared to other brands.

5. Future Prospects:

SpaceX claim that they deploy 42,000 satellites in its constellation. As per now, around 5,000 satellites are on working. They also plan for laser inter satellites to reduce latency.

6. Disadvantages:

• Its high cost may affect many users.
• In weather, it may cause some temporary issues.
• Speed also reduce in areas where high users are operating at same time.
• It also cause space debris and light pollution.

Overall, Starlink provide great internet coverage but it has some drawbacks of high cost and not available in many areas where it has to be needed. In urban areas it may not first option to users but in remote areas it may be a great option to users.