Starlink : Markets and Marketing

[niwax]

I see a lot of sales cliches. Did I miss exactly what SES supplies that Starlink doesn't?

Higher latency?

They have existing high-value maritime and airline customers that Starlink wants to acquire for little cost and SES wants to continue making some money off.

[freddo411]

I see a lot of sales cliches. Did I miss exactly what SES supplies that Starlink doesn't?

Probably access to existing long term contracts with the cruise lines

[abaddon]

GSO is great for high-bandwidth streaming of fixed content like movies.  I imagine VOD served in cabins can use their satellites for the video downlink but serve the browsing UI over Starlink, and saving all of that video bandwidth consumption for places it would be better served like browsing, voice calls and video calls etc.

[Asteroza]

GSO is great for high-bandwidth streaming of fixed content like movies.  I imagine VOD served in cabins can use their satellites for the video downlink but serve the browsing UI over Starlink, and saving all of that video bandwidth consumption for places it would be better served like browsing, voice calls and video calls etc.

But is that actually cheaper than installing an edge cache server farm on a cruise ship?

[abaddon]

GSO is great for high-bandwidth streaming of fixed content like movies.  I imagine VOD served in cabins can use their satellites for the video downlink but serve the browsing UI over Starlink, and saving all of that video bandwidth consumption for places it would be better served like browsing, voice calls and video calls etc.

But is that actually cheaper than installing an edge cache server farm on a cruise ship?

When the GSO satellites are already operating?  Yes, easily.  Also what makes you think a cruise ship wants a massive server farm install when all it needs is a few dishes?

[Nomadd]

Also what makes you think a cruise ship wants a massive server farm install when all it needs is a few dishes?

Massive server farm?

[abaddon]

Also what makes you think a cruise ship wants a massive server farm install when all it needs is a few dishes?

Massive server farm?

Yes, an "edge cache server farm" that is meaningfully useful with the breadth of content available would be large.  "Massive" is probably an overstatement .  If you're talking about just hosting a small sampling of VOD movies like on airplanes, you can get away with a very small install, sure.

In any case, I've made the (super obvious) case that Starlink isn't the perfect solution for every problem on Earth and there still can be a role for GSO assets, particularly ones that are already deployed.  Starlink bandwidth, which will be more constrained, can be allocated for where it is most useful, as originally outlined above.

[launchwatcher]

Also what makes you think a cruise ship wants a massive server farm install when all it needs is a few dishes?

Massive server farm?

Yes, an "edge cache server farm" that is meaningfully useful with the breadth of content available would be large.  "Massive" is probably an overstatement .  If you're talking about just hosting a small sampling of VOD movies like on airplanes, you can get away with a very small install, sure.

The edge cache devices I'm familiar with are rack-mounted servers stuffed with storage and high-speed networking.

You can see the ones Netflix gives away here:
https://openconnect.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360035156632

Some of the requirements are described here: https://openconnect.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360034538352

Teardown of an obsolete decade-old unit here: https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/10/redditor-acquires-decommissioned-netflix-cache-server-with-262tb-of-storage/

These devices are typically installed into 4-post equipment racks.   Should be easy to find space for a rack or two on a typical cruise ship..

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/bbcamos/status/1706681973819720067

Heading home from #Utah post #OSIRISREx capsule return. Our #Starlink dish was a superstar. Here I am broadcasting live back to London. In my hand is an iPad receiving output so I can see what's going on. Back in the tent, we're recording Nasa TV. Oodles of low latency bandwidth

Only once did we have a tense moment when trying to upload a recorded TV report for the main evening news. We later realised the BBC's VPN was having an argument with Starlink. But that was resolved and we met our deadline with a few minutes to spare.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/dimazeniuk/status/1707414190074323055

Elon Musk's satellite-based internet provider, Starlink, is set to receive a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence from the Indian government 🇮🇳 by next month, according to a Financial Express (FE) report. Upon receiving the licence, Starlink will join Bharti's OneWeb and Reliance's Jio Satellite to become the third player in India's satellite-based internet sector.

@Starlink @elonmusk

https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/starlink-to-get-licence-to-offer-satellite-internet-by-next-month-123092800274_1.html

[RedLineTrain]

Here we go.  SpaceX has opened Starlink availability in the US nationwide.

https://twitter.com/Starlink/status/1708871459224133933

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/starlink/status/1709941836331286984

Starlink’s high-speed internet is now available in Zambia 🛰️🇿🇲 → starlink.com/map

[pwbaker2256]

Have had Starlink for sometime in our rual home. Now, witht the build out funded by the gov both spectrum and brighspeed will be offering fiber service at less than half the cost and 3 times as fast.

Guessing starlink will see a lot less users in the near fvuture.

It was a greeat solution when there was no other choice.

[DanClemmensen]

Have had Starlink for sometime in our rual home. Now, witht the build out funded by the gov both spectrum and brighspeed will be offering fiber service at less than half the cost and 3 times as fast.

Guessing starlink will see a lot less users in the near fvuture.

It was a greeat solution when there was no other choice.

This is the historical trend. When there is no  alternative, use satellite. When population density is high enough, satellite is replaced by terrestrial. The IP-over-satellite industry continues to grow because the customer demand that is not covered by terrestrial grows faster than the loss of customers to terrestrial. I was in the industry from 2004 to 2016. the details are different but the underlying trends are the same.

BUT, satellite also competes where fiber cannot go, specifically for mobile applications. Ships and planes, but also RVs.

The existence of high-quality satellite is great for customers because it puts an upper bound of the price the fiber guys can charge. The fiber guys hate this.

[envy887]

Guessing starlink will see a lot less users in the near future.

Probably not. If part of its capacity is unsaleable at the current price they will simply adjust the price for that subset until it's all sold. There's no point in having unsold excess.

[RedLineTrain]

Zambia's service is priced at only $36 per month.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/sawyermerritt/status/1712133144676122689

NEWS: SpaceX has launched a 'Direct To Cell' website page.

Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capabilities enable ubiquitous access to texting, calling, and browsing wherever you may be on land, lakes, or coastal waters:

• Starting in 2024: Text
• Starting in 2025: Voice and Data
• Starting in 2025: IOT

Direct to Cell satellites will initially be launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and then Starship. On orbit the satellites will immediately connect over laser backhaul to the Starlink constellation to provide global connectivity.

https://direct.starlink.com/

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/maersk/status/1712408820675187035

⭐ Maersk signs deal with Starlink for its Ocean fleet 🚢 – bringing high speed satellite internet connectivity developed by @SpaceX.
Learn more here: maersk.com/news/articles/…
#Maersk #starlink #digitisation #data #connectivity

https://www.maersk.com/news/articles/2023/10/12/maersk-signs-deal-with-starlink-for-its-ocean-fleet

Maersk signs deal with Starlink for its Ocean fleet

12 October 2023

Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet connectivity will be deployed to Maersk’s owned fleet of 330+ container vessels

Roll-out is expected to be complete in Q1 2024

Copenhagen, Denmark – A.P. Moller - Maersk, the global leader of integrated container logistics, is embarking on a collaboration with Starlink, the pioneering satellite internet constellation developed by SpaceX.

Maersk’s more than 330 own operated container vessels will have Starlink installed, enabling high-speed internet with speeds over 200 Mbps. The service is a leap forward in terms of internet speed and latency which will bring significant benefits in terms of both crew welfare and business impact.

The agreement comes after a successful pilot phase where crew members on more than 30 Maersk vessels have had the opportunity to test the Starlink technology – resulting in very positive feedback.

“We are excited to announce our journey with Starlink to provide state of the art connectivity to our sea going colleagues. The highspeed connectivity will enable our seagoing colleagues to stay connected with their loved ones while at sea. It will also propel the expansion of seamless cloud solutions, enabling our vision to digitalise our vessel operations.”

Leonardo Sonzio
Head of Fleet Management and Technology at A.P. Moller - Maersk

Besides obvious benefits from highspeed internet resulting in seamless streaming and high definition videocalls for crew members, high-speed, low latency internet will also facilitate cost saving measures by moving business critical applications into the cloud and by strengthening remote support and inspections of the vessels.

Starlink has been changing the game to provide reliable and high-speed internet across the globe with its state-of-the-art satellite network. Its vision is to create a globally connected world where opportunities are not limited by geography – making it a great fit to solve the challenges of staying connected on the high seas of the world.

“A.P. Moller - Maersk’s vessels are key to global trade, and Starlink’s high-speed broadband through the world’s most advance satellite internet constellation will help boost efficiency through seamless connectivity no matter where in the world they are.”

Jonathan Hofeller
SpaceX’s Vice President of Starlink Commercial Sales

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/sawyermerritt/status/1713683028923290079

BREAKING: Qatar Airways has inked an agreement with @SpaceX to make Starlink WiFi in the sky available at no cost to every passenger with speeds up to 350Mbps.

Qatar Airways is now the largest airline to collaborate with Starlink.

The partnership promises to not only to ditch the price tag but boost the download speeds from 10Mbps on QR’s best Super WiFi service to true broadband rates of 350Mbps per passenger or device.

Qatar Airways promises “once the service is active, passengers will be able to enjoy ultra-fast WiFi speeds of up to 350 Megabits per second for gaming, VPN access, sports streaming and more.

https://www.qatarairways.com/press-releases/en-WW/230930-qatar-airways-selects-starlink-to-enhance-in-flight-experience-with-complimentary-high-speed-internet-connectivity

[M.E.T.]

https://twitter.com/sawyermerritt/status/1713683028923290079

BREAKING: Qatar Airways has inked an agreement with @SpaceX to make Starlink WiFi in the sky available at no cost to every passenger with speeds up to 350Mbps.

Qatar Airways is now the largest airline to collaborate with Starlink.

The partnership promises to not only to ditch the price tag but boost the download speeds from 10Mbps on QR’s best Super WiFi service to true broadband rates of 350Mbps per passenger or device.

Qatar Airways promises “once the service is active, passengers will be able to enjoy ultra-fast WiFi speeds of up to 350 Megabits per second for gaming, VPN access, sports streaming and more.

https://www.qatarairways.com/press-releases/en-WW/230930-qatar-airways-selects-starlink-to-enhance-in-flight-experience-with-complimentary-high-speed-internet-connectivity

These high profile announcements are exciting, but can anyone estimate the revenue impact of such a deal?

It seems a pity to me that due to the low financial threshold of domestic users, Starlink has a very low benchmark cost of say $100/ month. This probably makes it difficult to justify a ramp up to say $1M per plane, despite the immense value Starlink adds to airline passengers. Or is such a ramp up perhaps feasible?

Whatever Viasat or Iridium were charging, Starlink should be able to charge an order of magnitude more, given the order of magnitude better latency and bandwidth it offers.

Any estimates?