Starlink: What is Elon Musk’s satellite internet, how it works and more

starlink elon musk

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is scheduled to visit India this month. Ahead of Musk’s visit, rumour mill is abuzz that he may announce the availability of Starlink, a satellite-based internet service. We explain what is satellite internet, how it works and other details

What is Starlink?

Starlink, as per the official website, is a constellation of thousands of satellites that orbit the planet much closer to Earth, at about 550km, and cover the entire globe. Starlink satellites are in a low orbit compared to other geostationary satellites, which makes it relatively easier to provide faster internet connectivity.

How does satellite internet work?

Your internet service provider — could be Starlink or any other — beams a signal to a high-flying satellite which bounces it off the antenna you have installed. The signal is then sent to a modem, which is installed in your house and that fires up the internet connectivity.

Starlink does provide a whole kit to its subscribers. There are no cables or fibres, which is why it can be useful in remote areas. Musk has always emphasised Starlink reaching out in areas, where internet connectivity is a problem — like remote locations in India and other countries.

What do you need for Starlink satellite internet?

Starlink sells an installation/equipment kit depending on why you need satellite connectivity. There’s Starlink antenna — which is a dish that needs to be installed where you want satellite connectivity. There’s a router, a satellite link cable and an AC cable. Starlink also makes it clear that it “needs a clear view of the sky so it can stay connected with satellites as they move overhead. Objects that obstruct the connection between your Starlink and the satellite, such as a tree branch, pole, or roof, will cause service interruptions.”

How much does it cost, how fast is internet speed?

For those in remote and rural areas, satellite internet can be really useful. Starlink users typically experience download speeds between 25 and 220 Mbps, with a majority of users experiencing speeds over 100 Mbps. Upload speeds are typically between 5 and 20 Mbps, claims Starlink.

It’s not cheap. In the US, Starlink starts at $120 per month and depending on the plan you choose it can go up to $5,000. Not to forget the equipment cost which starts at $500 and goes up to $2,500.

Where is Starlink currently available?

The list of countries has grown over the last couple of years. USA, Canada, UK, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand are some of the countries where Starlink is currently available.