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SpaceX States Decision To Modify Starlink’s Operational Parameters Stems From Need To Use Space Sustainably
The first evidence for this surfaced during a presentation that the SpaceX executive made before Commission representatives during the third week of this month. Slide 12 of this presentation (pictured below) summarized all competitor arguments and rejected them in one broad scope by asserting that the claims did not represent all aspects of the modification together to reach their conclusions. These aspects are a lower altitude for Starlinks, a lower ground station elevation angle and a lower satellite downlink power level.
Other key Starlink facts present in the presentation include SpaceX’s plans of increasing future downlink speeds to 10 Gbps. While Starlink has delivered up to 190 Mbps (!) in the downlink, users often find themselves encountering speeds as low as 30 Mbps - an expected fact given that the system is currently in its second-stage beta. To mitigate this, SpaceX has also stated before the Commission that it is regularly updating Starlink software to improve throughput - making it the first time that such an admission has been made before the regulatory body.
As the FCC continues to evaluate SpaceX’s modification request, public support for the service continues to build. After a schoolteacher in Utqiagvik, Alaska came out in support for Starlink, other voices have joined him.
One of these is Mr. John Wallace of Alaska Technologies, a non-profit technology support small business in Southwest Alaska. In a detailed letter to the FCC, Mr. Wallace outlines the difficulties of managing internet connectivity in Alaska following post-pandemic lockdowns. and uses his experience of working with companies to underscore the importance of satellite-internet to his state.
The second is Mr.Joel M. Thomas who is a teacher and administrator in Western Alaska. Mr. Thomas, like his peer, has also stated to the Commission that Starlink will enable his students to achieve equitable education. His letter filed before the body on Tuesday and dated for Monday reads as follows:
I am a teacher and school administrator in western Alaska and am writing in support of the Star Link program . Our region’s main existing internet provider GCI provides a subpar service at an extreme premium price point; most families in Western Alaska including my own do not have internet service in their home because the cost is too high. We need more competition to increase the quality of service so that students and families can have a more reliable educational experience during the current pandemic and beyond. I have already signed up for Star Link should it become a viable service and am more than willing to make the initial investment in equipment.
Respectfully, Joel M. Thomas
