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A comment on SpaceX wants to launch 100k more Starlink satellites – for 100x the bandwidth. Parent comment

Re:SpaceX wants to launch 100k more Starlink satellites – fo... by jillesvangurp on Saturday July 11, 2026 @02:51AM (#48869449)
The star link network is actually remarkably cost effective in getting internet access to rural areas. There's a reason that these areas still have poor connectivity: it's just not cost effective for anyone to build land based infrastructure there.

SpaceX spend a few billions on StarLink. But if you look at how much network operators have spent over the years on cables, base stations, etc. it's not all that much for a network that offers high bandwidth access all over the planet.

Adding 100K more satellites is going to make Star Link a direct competitor to many of these operators.

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Re:SpaceX wants to launch 100k more Starlink satellites – fo... by dtagames on Saturday July 11, 2026 @09:45AM (#48872012)
It occurred to me after reading the original story that if space based internet gets fast enough, we'll stop using any other kind for most purposes. That means, as a platform, SpaceX could carry a significant amount of the entire world's internet traffic. No wonder Elon is interested.
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Re:SpaceX wants to launch 100k more Starlink satellites – fo... by inemesitaffia on Saturday July 11, 2026 @11:10AM (#48872718)
Not enough bandwidth
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Re:SpaceX wants to launch 100k more Starlink satellites – fo... by dtagames on Saturday July 11, 2026 @11:32AM (#48872908)
Yet. I one was one of the first people in Silicon Valley to have DSL when dialup had that same bandwidth problem. I posit it will be solved.
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Re:SpaceX wants to launch 100k more Starlink satellites – fo... by bearjaws on Saturday July 11, 2026 @12:38PM (#48873499)
Starlink often struggles in thunder storms.
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