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Satellite Internet

All articles tagged with #satellite internet

T-Mobile CEO: Starlink mobile threat is overblown; satellites will complement networks
business18 days ago

T-Mobile CEO: Starlink mobile threat is overblown; satellites will complement networks

T-Mobile CEO Srini Gopalan says Starlink’s planned mobile service poses little threat to incumbents and questions the market gap it would fill, arguing satellite tech will be complementary to current networks. SpaceX has outlined Starlink Mobile with a target launch of satellites next year and service by late 2027, while Musk and Shotwell hint at attracting customers from AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. Gopalan also emphasises T-Mobile’s growth plans—especially in broadband and rural markets—and avoids commenting on merger speculation with Deutsche Telekom.

HughesNet Declares Chapter 11 as Starlink Reshapes Satellite Internet
business21 days ago

HughesNet Declares Chapter 11 as Starlink Reshapes Satellite Internet

HughesNet’s parent EchoStar filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after subscriber losses to Starlink, saying it will continue serving customers during restructuring while shifting focus toward enterprise, government, and defense markets. About 400 of its 1,275 employees will be laid off as the company reorganizes debt and reduces cash burn, with leadership changes including appointing a chief restructuring officer to guide the plan.

Amazon Leo teams with Herotel to bring satellite internet to South Africa via evry
technology1 month ago

Amazon Leo teams with Herotel to bring satellite internet to South Africa via evry

Amazon Leo will power evry, a new satellite-internet service from South Africa’s largest fixed ISP Herotel, launching commercially in 2027 to connect rural homes and small businesses beyond fiber and fixed wireless. The service uses low-Earth-orbit satellites for low latency, and Herotel’s existing fiber/fixed wireless network will support evry from day one across hundreds of towns. This marks Africa’s first Amazon Leo partnership of its kind, with further expansion planned alongside partners like Vanu to close rural connectivity gaps and unlock potential economic benefits.

Starlink's V5 Dish Drops Weight, Cuts Power—Speed Stays Flat
technology1 month ago

Starlink's V5 Dish Drops Weight, Cuts Power—Speed Stays Flat

Starlink unveiled the V5 satellite dish, a smaller, lighter (2.4 lb) and more power-efficient unit than the V4 (75–100W down to 35–50W), but with a slightly lower max speed (375+ Mbps vs 400+ Mbps). The V5 excludes a new router and will be bundled with the Router Mini; it includes a roof pipe adapter and is available now in select US residential areas as production expands. Pricing isn't announced, and the V5 may co-exist with the V4 across plans while Starlink eyes broader deployment.

Starlink Surcharges Surge as SpaceX Network Strains
technology1 month ago

Starlink Surcharges Surge as SpaceX Network Strains

Starlink customers report large demand surcharges—up to $1,500—in high-demand areas as SpaceX’s satellite broadband network strains; complaints cite poor customer service and difficulty contesting charges, with some refunds after system errors. The fees, which have grown from $100 in 2024 to as high as $1,500 in parts of the country by 2025, hinge on current network capacity and area demand, reflecting tensions between rapid Starlink deployment, regulatory oversight, and rural broadband ambitions.

Starlink’s Congestion Fees Spark Backlash as Satellite Internet Struggles to Scale
technology1 month ago

Starlink’s Congestion Fees Spark Backlash as Satellite Internet Struggles to Scale

Starlink is charging some customers “demand surcharges” up to $1,500 in high‑demand areas due to network congestion, a move critics say exposes the capacity limits of orbital broadband and reflects poor customer service. The surcharges, which began around $100 in 2024 and have grown to as much as $1,500 by 2026, have prompted complaints on social media and some refunds after automated errors. The controversy comes as regulators and lawmakers push to accelerate satellite broadband approvals, and questions linger about Starlink’s pricing in rural markets with few alternatives.

Amazon’s Leo Satellite Network Edges Toward Global Internet Service
technology1 month ago

Amazon’s Leo Satellite Network Edges Toward Global Internet Service

Amazon says its Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) constellation has surpassed 390 satellites after 29 new spacecraft, moving toward commercial service later this year. The project aims to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet with up to about 7,700 LEO satellites, a major challenge to SpaceX’s Starlink. Launches involve ULA, Arianespace, Blue Origin, and SpaceX, with a shift from Atlas V to Vulcan to enable larger satellite batches. Despite supply chain delays and a Blue Origin test-vehicle explosion, Amazon has built ready-to-fly spacecraft and an integration center to speed deployments, and initial service will roll out in limited geographies while AWS integration could open enterprise use. Expansion is planned to span dozens of countries as the network scales.

iPhone 18 Pro Rumors Hint at Bigger Battery, 2nm A20 Chip, and Satellite Internet
technology2 months ago

iPhone 18 Pro Rumors Hint at Bigger Battery, 2nm A20 Chip, and Satellite Internet

Rumors ahead of a two-phase launch suggest the iPhone 18 Pro lineup will largely mirror the iPhone 17 Pro design but pack notable upgrades: a bigger battery (5,100–5,200 mAh) and a slightly thicker chassis; LTPO+ displays and a 2nm A20 chip with an in-house C2 modem; a Samsung-made PD-TR-Logic sensor and a variable-aperture main camera; potential under-display Face ID with a smaller Dynamic Island; 5G satellite internet support; simplified Camera Control and new color options; all running iOS 27 with an enhanced Siri. Apple is reportedly releasing the Pro models in September 2026, followed by the non-Pro line in spring 2027 in a two-phase rollout.

Starlink shifts to monthly hardware rental as it amps up price changes
technology2 months ago

Starlink shifts to monthly hardware rental as it amps up price changes

Starlink has begun charging a $10 monthly fee to rent the hardware (dish and router) in place of the previous one-time hardware purchase, with signup pages showing $0 upfront hardware cost. This hardware rental is being rolled out in multiple regions, alongside recent increases to monthly service prices (now $55 for 100 Mbps, $85 for 200 Mbps, and $130 for the Max tier). A one-time professional installation remains $199 unless included with the Max plan. Customers can still buy hardware via retailers or switch from renting to buying by contacting support. Starlink’s pricing has fluctuated in the past, and the longevity of the $10 rental fee remains unclear as SpaceX experiments with revenue models.

Starlink Matures: 2026 Tests Show Stable Latency, Plateauing Downloads, and Tiered-Plan Value
technology2 months ago

Starlink Matures: 2026 Tests Show Stable Latency, Plateauing Downloads, and Tiered-Plan Value

A long-running PCMag test of Starlink through 2026 shows a maturing network: hardware upgrades (Dish V2/V4 and Starlink Mini) plus new price tiers (Residential Max, 200, 100) broaden options, but real-world download speeds on the top plan hover around 145–170 Mbps (peaking higher, with tests up to 265 Mbps), well below the advertised 400 Mbps. Uploads have improved (roughly 20–80 Mbps) and latency has hit a new low (average ~21.5 ms, with most results under 30 ms), indicating strong consistency even as the user base grows. The value now leans more toward congestion management and priority during peak hours than sheer speed, a dynamic shaped by IPO pressures and looming competition (e.g., Amazon’s Leo). For rural users, Starlink remains a solid DSL alternative; however, the best plan depends on whether you prioritize lowest cost or the steadier, higher-priority connection during busy times.

Amazon Executive Reassures Team After Blue Origin Blast, Keeps Leo Satellite Plan on Track
technology2 months ago

Amazon Executive Reassures Team After Blue Origin Blast, Keeps Leo Satellite Plan on Track

Amazon’s Leo satellite program chief Rajeev Badyal sent an internal memo after Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded during a hot‑fire test, stressing that there were no injuries, the satellites were not on the vehicle and remain safe at Kennedy Space Center, and that Amazon’s broader Leo launch plan remains intact with multiple providers. About 30% of Leo satellites were slated for New Glenn launches; while a prolonged downtime could affect the schedule and potentially benefit rivals, the company says the mission and commitments haven’t changed and will proceed with upcoming launches via ULA and ArianeSpace.