Elon Musk's SpaceX is looking to deploy Starlink satellite internet terminals to speed up the information technology networks that support the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's national airspace system, Bloomberg News reported on Monday.

Musk eyes Starlink terminal deployment in U.S. airspace network, Bloomberg News reports

While Starlink already provides global services, Qianfan is in early deployment stages, aiming for full coverage by 2027. Both constellations are key components of the U.S.-China digital infrastructure battle, with each nation expanding its satellite internet to strengthen financial, technological, ...

The digital cold war: AI, Blockchain, Fintech, and the U.S.-China battle for financial dominance | The Express Tribune

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Science/AAAS peer-reviewed journals deliver impactful research, daily news, expert commentary, and career resources.

'Worst nightmare': Elon Musk's Starlink satellites could ...

Chinese researchers claim that by using the radiation emitted by SpaceX's Starlink constellation, they can detect enemy stealth fighter jets.

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The National Communication Authority (NCA) has given the go-ahead for Space X Starlink GH LTD, a company linked to American billionaire Elon Musk, to operate in Ghana.

NCA clears Elon Musk's Space X Starlink to operate in Ghana

Kyle Wool, CEO of Dominari Securities, says 2024 could see many IPOs from Databricks to a spinoff of Elon Musk&#x27;s satellite internet service Starlink

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THE Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has said a global satellite Internet provider, Starlink, owned by American business tycoon, Mr Elon Musk, has applied to operate in the country.

Starlink applies to operate in Zimbabwe

Starlink

starlink

I hope this will be my final piece on Tonga's connectivity saga. In the wake of my previous analysis critiquing Tonga's submarine cable infrastructure, I present a tangible, forward thinking solution that challenges the status quo of our national connectivity strategy. The Game Changing Alternative: Starlink Community Gateway While governments debate infrastructure and contractors count their potential profits, a revolutionary approach stands ready to transform Tonga's internet landscape. The Starlink Community Gateway isn't just an alternative, it's a comprehensive solution that addresses our connectivity challenges head-on. The Numbers Speak Volumes Let's break down the stark financial reality: Current proposed cable project: 80 million pa'anga
Starlink Community Gateway solution: Approximately 32.1 million pa'anga
Savings: Nearly 60% of the proposed budget
Coverage: All major island groups (Tongatapu, Ha'apai, Vava'u) Technical Superiority The Starlink solution offers capabilities that make our current cable infrastructure look antiquated: Fiber-like speeds up to 10 Gbps (symmetric upload/download)
Over 99% uptime reliability
Flexible distribution technologies including:
Last-mile fiber
Fixed wireless
Mobile wireless connectivity The Geopolitical Elephant in the Room We're acutely aware that New Zealand and Australia will be reluctant to fund this proposed solution, and it isn't purely technical. It could fundamentally be about sovereignty and geopolitical influence. Their preferred cable infrastructure represents more than just connectivity, it sure looks like a strategic justification for a submarine cable investment that has gone redundant because no one else in the Pacific has been utilizing the Hawaiki cable other than American Samoa. Breaking Down the Investment The Starlink Community Gateway requires: Initial Setup: USD$1.25 million per gateway


Monthly Service: USD$75,000 per Gbps


Total 15-Year Investment: USD$13,500,000 = 32.1 million pa'anga Compared to the 80-million pa'anga cable project, this solution: Costs significantly less
Provides more reliable connectivity
Offers greater technological flexibility
Reduces dependency on vulnerable submarine infrastructure Detailed Cost Analysis For a 1 Gbps scenario: Initial setup cost: USD $1,250,000.00
Monthly cost at Year 1: USD$900,000
Monthly cost at Year 15: USD$116,560.09
Total cost after 15 years: USD $13,500,000
Total cost for redundancy across all islands in Tongan Pa'anga (15 years): TOP $32,104,620 This is still way cheaper than the $80 million submarine cable option and solves all our connectivity issues. Resilience in the Face of Environmental Challenges Tonga's geographical reality i.e. a seismically active maritime environment that demands a resilient solution. Satellite technology eliminates the risks associated with submarine cables: No physical infrastructure vulnerable to earthquakes and ships dragging their anchors
Instant rerouting capabilities
Rapid deployment and maintenance A Message to Decision Makers To our ministers and policy makers: This isn't just about technology. It's about investing in our people's future. A 60% more affordable, technologically superior solution exists. The question is whether we have the courage to embrace it, but unfortunately we do not having the funding to pursue it and our development partners do not see any return on it for their investment. The People's Technology Starlink represents more than an internet solution, it's a lifeline for our communities. It symbolizes our ability to leapfrog traditional infrastructure limitations and position ourselves at the forefront of technological innovation. The Innovation Dividend: Flexibility vs. Lock-In The most profound advantage of the Starlink Community Gateway is its inherent flexibility, a stark contrast to the rigid, 15-year lock-in of the proposed submarine cable project. This isn't just about technology, it's about future proofing our national connectivity strategy. The Exponential Innovation Curve With the submarine cable project, Tonga is committing to a static technological solution that will become obsolete before the contract expires. In contrast, the Starlink approach offers: Pay-as-You-Go Model: Unlike the fixed infrastructure investment, Starlink allows for: Incremental upgrades


Flexible scaling


Immediate adaptation to technological advances Cost Trajectory: The economics of satellite technology follow a dramatically different path: Initial investment remains stable
Technology costs decrease logarithmically
Performance continues to improve exponentially A Glimpse into the Future Consider the technological landscape over 15 years: 2025: Current Starlink technology at $75,000 per Gbps
2030: Anticipated 40-50% reduction in per Gbps costs
2035: Potential for 70-80% cost decrease with emerging technologies
2040: Unimaginable improvements in satellite connectivity The submarine cable represents a snapshot in time i.e. frozen for 15 years. The Starlink Community Gateway is a living, breathing solution that evolves with technological innovation. Conclusion: A Bold Path Forward Tonga stands at a critical junction. We can continue down the path of expensive, vulnerable infrastructure, or we can choose a bold, innovative approach that truly serves our people. The Starlink Community Gateway isn't just an alternative. It's our gateway to a more connected, resilient future. Having said all of that, there is one profound truth when it comes to telecommunications: Nothing comes free in this world, there will always be costs associated with it. I hope this will be my final piece on Tonga's connectivity saga. In the wake of my previous analysis critiquing Tonga's submarine cable infrastructure, I present a tangible, forward thinking solution that challenges the status quo of our national connectivity strategy. previous The Game Changing Alternative: Starlink Community Gateway While governments debate infrastructure and contractors count their potential profits, a revolutionary approach stands ready to transform Tonga's internet landscape. The Starlink Community Gateway isn't just an alternative, it's a comprehensive solution that addresses our connectivity challenges head-on. The Numbers Speak Volumes Let's break down the stark financial reality: Current proposed cable project: 80 million pa'anga Starlink Community Gateway solution: Approximately 32.1 million pa'anga Savings: Nearly 60% of the proposed budget Coverage: All major island groups (Tongatapu, Ha'apai, Vava'u) Current proposed cable project: 80 million pa'anga Starlink Community Gateway solution: Approximately 32.1 million pa'anga Savings: Nearly 60% of the proposed budget Coverage: All major island groups (Tongatapu, Ha'apai, Vava'u) Technical Superiority The Starlink solution offers capabilities that make our current cable infrastructure look antiquated: Fiber-like speeds up to 10 Gbps (symmetric upload/download) Over 99% uptime reliability Flexible distribution technologies including: Last-mile fiber Fixed wireless Mobile wireless connectivity Fiber-like speeds up to 10 Gbps (symmetric upload/download) Over 99% uptime reliability Flexible distribution technologies including: Last-mile fiber Fixed wireless Mobile wireless connectivity The Geopolitical Elephant in the Room We're acutely aware that New Zealand and Australia will be reluctant to fund this proposed solution, and it isn't purely technical. It could fundamentally be about sovereignty and geopolitical influence. Their preferred cable infrastructure represents more than just connectivity, it sure looks like a strategic justification for a submarine cable investment that has gone redundant because no one else in the Pacific has been utilizing the Hawaiki cable other than American Samoa. Breaking Down the Investment The Starlink Community Gateway requires: Initial Setup: USD$1.25 million per gateway Monthly Service: USD$75,000 per Gbps Total 15-Year Investment: USD$13,500,000 = 32.1 million pa'anga Initial Setup: USD$1.25 million per gateway Initial Setup: USD$1.25 million per gateway Monthly Service: USD$75,000 per Gbps Monthly Service: USD$75,000 per Gbps Total 15-Year Investment: USD$13,500,000 = 32.1 million pa'anga Total 15-Year Investment: USD$13,500,000 = 32.1 million pa'anga Compared to the 80-million pa'anga cable project, this solution: Costs significantly less Provides more reliable connectivity Offers greater technological flexibility Reduces dependency on vulnerable submarine infrastructure Costs significantly less Provides more reliable connectivity Offers greater technological flexibility Reduces dependency on vulnerable submarine infrastructure Detailed Cost Analysis For a 1 Gbps scenario: Initial setup cost: USD $1,250,000.00 Monthly cost at Year 1: USD$900,000 Monthly cost at Year 15: USD$116,560.09 Total cost after 15 years: USD $13,500,000 Total cost for redundancy across all islands in Tongan Pa'anga (15 years): TOP $32,104,620 Initial setup cost: USD $1,250,000.00 Monthly cost at Year 1: USD$900,000 Monthly cost at Year 15: USD$116,560.09 Total cost after 15 years: USD $13,500,000 Total cost for redundancy across all islands in Tongan Pa'anga (15 years): TOP $32,104,620 This is still way cheaper than the $80 million submarine cable option and solves all our connectivity issues. Resilience in the Face of Environmental Challenges Tonga's geographical reality i.e. a seismically active maritime environment that demands a resilient solution. Satellite technology eliminates the risks associated with submarine cables: No physical infrastructure vulnerable to earthquakes and ships dragging their anchors Instant rerouting capabilities Rapid deployment and maintenance No physical infrastructure vulnerable to earthquakes and ships dragging their anchors Instant rerouting capabilities Rapid deployment and maintenance A Message to Decision Makers To our ministers and policy makers: This isn't just about technology. It's about investing in our people's future. A 60% more affordable, technologically superior solution exists. The question is whether we have the courage to embrace it, but unfortunately we do not having the funding to pursue it and our development partners do not see any return on it for their investment. The People's Technology Starlink represents more than an internet solution, it's a lifeline for our communities. It symbolizes our ability to leapfrog traditional infrastructure limitations and position ourselves at the forefront of technological innovation. The Innovation Dividend: Flexibility vs. Lock-In The most profound advantage of the Starlink Community Gateway is its inherent flexibility, a stark contrast to the rigid, 15-year lock-in of the proposed submarine cable project. This isn't just about technology, it's about future proofing our national connectivity strategy. The Exponential Innovation Curve With the submarine cable project, Tonga is committing to a static technological solution that will become obsolete before the contract expires. In contrast, the Starlink approach offers: Pay-as-You-Go Model : Unlike the fixed infrastructure investment, Starlink allows for: Pay-as-You-Go Model Incremental upgrades Flexible scaling Immediate adaptation to technological advances Incremental upgrades Incremental upgrades Flexible scaling Flexible scaling Immediate adaptation to technological advances Immediate adaptation to technological advances Cost Trajectory : The economics of satellite technology follow a dramatically different path: Cost Trajectory Initial investment remains stable Technology costs decrease logarithmically Performance continues to improve exponentially Initial investment remains stable Technology costs decrease logarithmically Performance continues to improve exponentially A Glimpse into the Future Consider the technological landscape over 15 years: 2025: Current Starlink technology at $75,000 per Gbps 2030: Anticipated 40-50% reduction in per Gbps costs 2035: Potential for 70-80% cost decrease with emerging technologies 2040: Unimaginable improvements in satellite connectivity 2025: Current Starlink technology at $75,000 per Gbps 2030: Anticipated 40-50% reduction in per Gbps costs 2035: Potential for 70-80% cost decrease with emerging technologies 2040: Unimaginable improvements in satellite connectivity The submarine cable represents a snapshot in time i.e. frozen for 15 years. The Starlink Community Gateway is a living, breathing solution that evolves with technological innovation. Conclusion: A Bold Path Forward Tonga stands at a critical junction. We can continue down the path of expensive, vulnerable infrastructure, or we can choose a bold, innovative approach that truly serves our people. The Starlink Community Gateway isn't just an alternative. It's our gateway to a more connected, resilient future. Having said all of that, there is one profound truth when it comes to telecommunications: Nothing comes free in this world, there will always be costs associated with it.

Elon Musk's Starlink May Be The Better Option for Internet in the Pacific Islands

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to help install a Starlink Mini, and the experience brought to light the evolving landscape of internet connectivity in the Pacific Islands. As we navigate the ongoing debate between submarine fiber optic cables and satellite solutions like Starlink, it’s essential to consider how these investments align with the unique challenges of our scattered populations and the pressing need for reliable internet access. Many Pacific Island nations have heavily invested in submarine fiber optic cables, believing that these connections would serve as the backbone for modern digital infrastructure. The most recent development in this space includes Nauru and the Tuvalu VAKA Cable, which links Funafuti to the broader Pacific network, marks a significant step toward enhancing connectivity. However, despite these advancements, many residents still rely on outdated technologies like ADSL, 3G and 4G, which struggle to deliver on the promises of high-speed internet. The small populations of Pacific Island nations, spread across vast distances, create high per capita costs for maintaining and operating these expensive submarine cable infrastructures. For many, the reality of internet service remains disappointing. Unlimited plans offered by some providers depend on aging copper networks, severely limiting speeds and making it difficult to fully realize the benefits of high-capacity submarine cables. Moreover, submarine cables are particularly susceptible to disruptions from cable cuts, which can result from natural disasters, negligence, or seismic events. For instance, Tonga has experienced multiple outages related to its submarine cable infrastructure, with a concerning probability of 80% for such incidents to recur in the future. This vulnerability highlights a significant risk associated with relying solely on submarine cables for connectivity, as repeated disruptions can leave entire communities without access to the internet for extended periods. In contrast, satellite solutions like Starlink present a more adaptable alternative. With advancements like the Starlink Mini, users can access internet speeds of up to 150 Mbps for just TOP 201 a month. This solution is not only cost-effective but also portable, allowing for connectivity from various locations across the Pacific Islands. The crux of the issue lies in the "last mile." While submarine cables can transmit data at terabits per second, the final delivery to consumers often hinges on legacy systems that cannot keep pace with these capabilities. The speed of light in fiber optics starkly contrasts with the slower speeds of copper-based technologies. This fundamental disconnect raises critical questions: What is the point of investing in costly submarine cables if the last mile still drags behind in performance? As I installed the Starlink Mini, I was struck by the potential of satellite technology in our region. With the ability to connect to high-speed internet from virtually anywhere, Starlink serves as a viable alternative to traditional infrastructure. This flexibility to access reliable internet at a fraction of the cost of maintaining extensive submarine systems is particularly appealing for the Pacific Islands, where connectivity is crucial for education, business, and emergency services. As we evaluate the future of connectivity in the Pacific Islands, it’s clear that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be suitable. While submarine fiber optic cables are essential for improving regional connectivity, they must be complemented by innovative solutions like Starlink to ensure that all residents benefit from reliable internet access. The ongoing investments in submarine infrastructure should not overshadow the potential of satellite technologies, especially in regions with unique geographic challenges. By embracing a hybrid approach that leverages the strengths of both submarine cables and satellite solutions, we can work towards a more connected and digitally inclusive future for the Pacific Islands. The goal should be to ensure that all citizens can access the internet, not just those fortunate enough to live near cable landing points. In our quest for connectivity, let’s prioritize practicality and accessibility, ensuring that every resident can truly benefit from the digital age. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to help install a Starlink Mini, and the experience brought to light the evolving landscape of internet connectivity in the Pacific Islands. As we navigate the ongoing debate between submarine fiber optic cables and satellite solutions like Starlink, it’s essential to consider how these investments align with the unique challenges of our scattered populations and the pressing need for reliable internet access. Many Pacific Island nations have heavily invested in submarine fiber optic cables, believing that these connections would serve as the backbone for modern digital infrastructure. The most recent development in this space includes Nauru and the Tuvalu VAKA Cable, which links Funafuti to the broader Pacific network, marks a significant step toward enhancing connectivity. However, despite these advancements, many residents still rely on outdated technologies like ADSL, 3G and 4G, which struggle to deliver on the promises of high-speed internet. The small populations of Pacific Island nations, spread across vast distances, create high per capita costs for maintaining and operating these expensive submarine cable infrastructures. For many, the reality of internet service remains disappointing. Unlimited plans offered by some providers depend on aging copper networks, severely limiting speeds and making it difficult to fully realize the benefits of high-capacity submarine cables. Moreover, submarine cables are particularly susceptible to disruptions from cable cuts, which can result from natural disasters, negligence, or seismic events. For instance, Tonga has experienced multiple outages related to its submarine cable infrastructure, with a concerning probability of 80% for such incidents to recur in the future. This vulnerability highlights a significant risk associated with relying solely on submarine cables for connectivity, as repeated disruptions can leave entire communities without access to the internet for extended periods. In contrast, satellite solutions like Starlink present a more adaptable alternative. With advancements like the Starlink Mini, users can access internet speeds of up to 150 Mbps for just TOP 201 a month. This solution is not only cost-effective but also portable, allowing for connectivity from various locations across the Pacific Islands. The crux of the issue lies in the "last mile." While submarine cables can transmit data at terabits per second, the final delivery to consumers often hinges on legacy systems that cannot keep pace with these capabilities. The speed of light in fiber optics starkly contrasts with the slower speeds of copper-based technologies. This fundamental disconnect raises critical questions: What is the point of investing in costly submarine cables if the last mile still drags behind in performance? As I installed the Starlink Mini, I was struck by the potential of satellite technology in our region. With the ability to connect to high-speed internet from virtually anywhere, Starlink serves as a viable alternative to traditional infrastructure. This flexibility to access reliable internet at a fraction of the cost of maintaining extensive submarine systems is particularly appealing for the Pacific Islands, where connectivity is crucial for education, business, and emergency services. As we evaluate the future of connectivity in the Pacific Islands, it’s clear that a one-size-fits-all approach may not be suitable. While submarine fiber optic cables are essential for improving regional connectivity, they must be complemented by innovative solutions like Starlink to ensure that all residents benefit from reliable internet access. The ongoing investments in submarine infrastructure should not overshadow the potential of satellite technologies, especially in regions with unique geographic challenges. By embracing a hybrid approach that leverages the strengths of both submarine cables and satellite solutions, we can work towards a more connected and digitally inclusive future for the Pacific Islands. The goal should be to ensure that all citizens can access the internet, not just those fortunate enough to live near cable landing points. In our quest for connectivity, let’s prioritize practicality and accessibility, ensuring that every resident can truly benefit from the digital age.

Starlink Is Helping Pacific Islanders Ditch Outdated 3G and 4G Technologies For Superior Internet

I actually planned and wanted to write a story about the Joker 2.0 movie, but as Elon Musk Xed himself, some memes/stories write themselves: So, here we are. The gloves are off, or it’s better to say, a mask is off. This is not my first story about Elon Musk on HackerNoon. And, it’s not going to be the last. Elon Musk saying at the Butler Rally that this would be the ‘Last Election’ if Trump loses, is just like me writing that this is the most important story in tech history, and if it’s not the top story it’d be my last. So, let’s just chill. OK? I look back and realize that my stories about Elon were more about profiling than writing. That’s why I’m not surprised at all. Why did he do it? Who? Joaquin Phoenix or Elon Musk? Joaquin ‘Commodus’ Phoenix pissed on his Oscar by appearing in Joker 2 for the money. “He was paid a whopping $20 million upfront.” Trump’s rally in Butler turned out to be a musical just like “Joker: Folie à Deux,” but Elon X Musk didn’t do it for the money. Once you have fuck-you-money, you don’t need money. Trump shared a nice and convenient story about his rich friend and how he helped him get a sit at the table of some prestigious restaurant or something by the power of his voice before making an intro for Elon before the Xtatic crowd in Butler. Trump Blinks, Here Comes A Fleet of Starlinks No Trump. No Internet for Hurricane Helene victims. Am I right? Because He called Elon, and not the other way around. Let’s say I’m being too harsh with the whole Starlink thing. The man who has once been bitten by the snake fears every piece of rope (Chinese proverb). I still remember what I wrote about Elon and a Ukrainian government official. What I do not remember is how, when, and why Starlink in Ukraine got to a ‘now you see me, now you don't situation’. I mean, it’s a long way from “some” Ukrainian official and Kim Dotcom to Trump, isn’t it? Nah, Elon, you ain’t damned, you’re just being pragmatic as always. I can only imagine the MAGA MEGA “lengths” to which the small city of Bastrop would go to help the new X’s HQ. Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Thus Spoke Musk, Per Aspera Ad Astra I’m not an American, but I realize that Musk already has his own version of the “Plan B:” So, my dear friends and readers in America, “if Trump is NOT elected,” pack your bags because you’re going to Mars. You are damned if he’s elected, you are damned if he’s not elected, so both Elon and I guess, you’re just damned. People can lose their minds when they flip sides. I’m just sayin’. “Within the context of American politics, Musk has said he supported Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, Hillary Clinton in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020, and Donald Trump in 2024.” “Liz Cheney warns Trump will never leave office if he's elected president again. Asked if she believed Trump would try to stay in power forever, Cheney said, Absolutely.” Hear, hear! Musk won’t decide who’s going to be the 47th President of the United States, but Trump will definitely decide who’s going to be the 48th President. Lemme give you a hint. He’s a huge LOTR fan and he read all of Asimov’s “Foundation” books. I actually planned and wanted to write a story about the Joker 2.0 movie, but as Elon Musk Xed himself, some memes/stories write themselves: So, here we are. The gloves are off, or it’s better to say, a mask is off. This is not my first story about Elon Musk on HackerNoon. And, it’s not going to be the last. Elon Musk saying at the Butler Rally that this would be the ‘Last Election’ if Trump loses , is just like me writing that this is the most important story in tech history, and if it’s not the top story it’d be my last. So, let’s just chill. OK? the ‘Last Election’ if Trump loses I look back and realize that my stories about Elon were more about profiling than writing. That’s why I’m not surprised at all. Why did he do it? Who? Joaquin Phoenix or Elon Musk? Joaquin ‘Commodus’ Phoenix pissed on his Oscar by appearing in Joker 2 for the money. “He was paid a whopping $20 million upfront .” Trump’s rally in Butler turned out to be a musical just like “Joker: Folie à Deux,” but Elon X Musk didn’t do it for the money. Once you have fuck-you-money, you don’t need money. Trump shared a nice and convenient story about his rich friend and how he helped him get a sit at the table of some prestigious restaurant or something by the power of his voice before making an intro for Elon before the Xtatic crowd in Butler. $20 million upfront $20 million upfront Trump Blinks, Here Comes A Fleet of Starlinks No Trump. No Internet for Hurricane Helene victims. Am I right? Because He called Elon, and not the other way around. Let’s say I’m being too harsh with the whole Starlink thing. The man who has once been bitten by the snake fears every piece of rope (Chinese proverb). I still remember what I wrote about Elon and a Ukrainian government official . Elon and a Ukrainian government official What I do not remember is how, when, and why Starlink in Ukraine got to a ‘now you see me, now you don't situation’. I mean, it’s a long way from “some” Ukrainian official and Kim Dotcom to Trump, isn’t it? Kim Dotcom Nah, Elon, you ain’t damned, you’re just being pragmatic as always. being pragmatic I can only imagine the MAGA MEGA “lengths” to which the small city of Bastrop would go to help the new X’s HQ . the new X’s HQ Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Thus Spoke Musk, Per Aspera Ad Astra I’m not an American, but I realize that Musk already has his own version of the “Plan B:” So, my dear friends and readers in America, “if Trump is NOT elected,” pack your bags because you’re going to Mars. You are damned if he’s elected, you are damned if he’s not elected, so both Elon and I guess, you’re just damned. People can lose their minds when they flip sides. I’m just sayin’. “Within the context of American politics, Musk has said he supported Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, Hillary Clinton in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020, and Donald Trump in 2024.” Musk has said he supported Barack Obama “Liz Cheney warns Trump will never leave office if he's elected president again. Asked if she believed Trump would try to stay in power forever, Cheney said, Absolutely.” Trump will never leave office Hear, hear! Musk won’t decide who’s going to be the 47th President of the United States , but Trump will definitely decide who’s going to be the 48th President. Lemme give you a hint. He’s a huge LOTR fan and he read all of Asimov’s “Foundation” books. the 47th President of the United States

Elon Musk SPQR - Starlink Populus Que Republicanus 

Today, perhaps more so than ever, anything Elon Musk touches appears to become instantly newsworthy. The same sentiment certainly applies to Musk’s ambitious satellite broadband project, . Slated for a future IPO, it seems that the company that’s operated by SpaceX has undergone significant growth in a matter of months - leaving investors guessing at the scale of the stock market debut that’s on the way. Starlink Only at the beginning of the year, it seemed like Starlink’s subscriber growth was slowing down, paving the way for potential problems when the company’s eventual IPO landed. To break the numbers down, between January 2021 and January 2022, SpaceX added an average of 11,000 new Starlink subscribers per month. Despite this, growth slowed to around 5,000 subscribers between November 2021 and January 2022, with the total number of subscribers growing from 140,000 to 145,000 within this time frame. Given that SpaceX was intent on reaching 500,000 total global subscribers by the middle of 2022, it seemed as though Starlink was underperforming the company’s expectations. In March, SpaceX vice president of Starlink commercial sales, claimed that "we currently have 250,000 subscribers, and that's across consumer, enterprise, and many businesses." Jonathan Hofeller Such an impressive claim implies that the company has gained some 105,000 new subscribers in a matter of weeks, and attained a 72.4% subscriber growth rate since January. Interestingly, Hofeller referenced SpaceX’s satellites to Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion of the country in February, as well as speculating about a future in which schools and aircraft could support simultaneous streaming services through the power of Starlink’s terminals. delivery of Starlink (Image: ) Statista To leverage the rapid growth of subscribers, we can see that the number of Starlink satellites in space has climbed to over 1,900 in March 2022, up by almost 600 from a year prior. However, there’s still a lack of clarity regarding what ‘250,000 subscribers’ actually means. In February, “Over 250k Starlink user terminals,” which could indicate that Hofeller may have regarded each terminal produced as a subscriber. Elon Musk tweeted Given Starlink’s positive PR in the face of aiding Ukraine’s resistance against Russia’s recent invasion, the company’s ability to hit the coveted 500,000 subscriber mark may be a significant factor in the terms of its eventual IPO, and the company’s continued growth could lead to a money-spinning listing in the near future. What Will Starlink’s IPO Look Like? It’s fascinating to explore the value of Starlink ahead of a potential IPO. According to the pre-money valuation of the company that came alongside an $850 million funding round in February 2021, Starlink is worth $73.2 billion. However, following its rapid growth, and the wider collapse of the IPO market, this figure is likely to have shifted in the months since. Morgan Stanley’s estimation of the company’s value is , but it’s important to emphasize that this figure is dependent on the company’s projections of reaching some 364 million subscribers by 2040. closer to $81 billion Musk initially announced plans to send Starlink’s extension from SpaceX public back in early 2020, but this process may take several years depending on the health of the space sector as a whole. “An exact date for Starlink is unknown,” noted Maxim Manturov, head of investment advice at Freedom Finance Europe. “The company's executives have previously stated that Starlink needs projected cash flow for its IPO. It also needs billions of dollars of investments to build a satellite constellation, which could also postpone the IPO indefinitely.” “Overall, the industry itself may be of interest to investors, in terms of new technologies. The industry continues to evolve and new players are emerging in the market - Project Kuiper (a project of the founder of Amazon) and OneWeb (a London-based company with a 45% government stake),” Manturov added. Could Starlink Go Public via a SPAC? April 2022 saw rumors emerge that Starlink may take the SPAC route towards going public in a move that echoes Virgin Galactic Holdings' route onto Wall Street as a similar consumer service based in the space sector. Chamath Palihapitiya is a SPAC firm that has a big reputation in the IPO market, and its two SPACS, the Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp IV, and Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp VI are known for helping some of the in the world to go public. largest private companies Given that Starlink is growing in popularity and adoption at a rapid pace in 2022, we may see the company seek to move quickly to capitalize on its newfound market leverage. However, given wider market volatility on Wall Street, the option for going public may be more down to whether or not we see calmer waters ahead for listings. Either way, Starlink’s eventual arrival on the stock market will be heralded as a for the ages, whether it takes place in the coming months, or the coming years. blockbuster IPO

Starlink’s Rapid Growth Points to a Tantalizing 2022 IPO

In what’s likely to be the most eyebrow-raising acquisition of 2022, the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, bought . As Musk continually spoke of and tweeted about the importance of freedom of speech throughout the platform, it became increasingly clear that the purchase represented something of a passion project for the man who shot to fame as the co-founder and CEO of Tesla. But what does the move mean for another of Musk’s fledgling ventures, Starlink? Twitter for a generous $44 billion Musk has harbored some lofty ambitions across his companies, and perhaps none have the potential to be more impactful for the world than Starlink, which promises to deliver comprehensive broadband internet coverage via a constellation of satellites operated by SpaceX. However, the purchase of Twitter has dominated news cycles since the shock takeover attempt took place. Given the company’s stock market performance since going public, it’s fair to say that Twitter (NYSE: TWTR) will require plenty of attention in order to become a consistently profitable venture. As we can see from Twitter’s price over the past 12 months, the stock has undergone a 23.55% decline in value, owing in no small part to mass investor sell-offs as inflation began to reach record-breaking levels in the second half of 2021. However, since going public in 2013, Twitter has posted a net loss every year besides 2018 and 2019 - when the company made a profit of just over $1 billion. At a price of $44 billion, Twitter weighs in at less than one-tenth of Facebook’s valuation of over $500 billion. However, Musk himself has downplayed the financial aspect of his Twitter purchase. At the , Musk said that “this is not a way to make money.” TED2022 conference in April "It's just that my strong, intuitive sense is that having a public platform that is maximally trusted and broadly inclusive is extremely important for the future of civilization,” Musk added. Is it possible that Musk’s commitment to revamping Twitter could interrupt Starlink’s path to launch an IPO in the future? Let’s take a deeper look at how the promising company has performed in 2022 so far whilst Musk’s intentions for Twitter were laid bare: Starlink continues to grow during Musk’s Twitter infatuation Despite Musk’s widely publicized purchase of Twitter, 2022 has already been a busy year for the development of Starlink, with the company seeing a wide range of activity taking place and even some positive PR emerging amidst the horrors of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In late April, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket into orbit. The launch was one of nine SpaceX launches that were solely dedicated to Starlink missions. Furthermore, SpaceX has launched almost 2,400 Starlink satellites to date. launched another batch of Starlink internet satellites We’re already seeing this broader coverage of satellites get to work in providing new means of connectivity around the world. In recent weeks with an air carrier to provide in-flight wireless internet access using Starlink satellites in a bid to become a leading provider of high-speed internet access in flight. SpaceX agreed to its first deal Although the deal is with a semi-private jet service, JSX, an airline with 100 airplanes, the successful deployment of Starlink terminals could pace the way for more comprehensive internet coverage across commercial airlines in the near future. Significantly, won plaudits around the world for its assistance to Ukraine in combating the Russian invasion, according to one Ukranian soldier. Starlink Musk opted to send Starlink terminals to Ukraine as the conflict intensified following requests from government officials due to fears that the country would lose internet access due to Russia’s attacks. In an interview conducted by journalist David Patriakos, : “I want to say one thing: Elon Musk’s Starlink is what changed the war in Ukraine’s favor. Russia went out of its way to blow up all our comms. Now they can’t. Starlink works under Katyusha fire, under artillery fire.” a soldier, identified as Dima, said Starlink’s assistance to Ukraine has helped to strengthen the brand’s reputation around the world, which may lead to greater levels of investor interest when an IPO is ultimately launched. Is Starlink’s IPO still on the way? Despite being particularly active in 2022 so far, the prospect of an IPO appears to remain a distant one, with it more likely that a flotation will take place over the coming years rather than months. Starlink “An exact date for Starlink is unknown. The company's executives have previously stated that Starlink needs projected cash flow for its IPO,” explained Maxim Manturov, head of investment advice at Freedom Finance Europe. “It also needs billions of dollars of investments to build a satellite constellation, which could also postpone the IPO indefinitely.” “Overall, the industry itself may be of interest to investors, in terms of new technologies. The industry continues to evolve and new players are emerging in the market - Project Kuiper (a project of the founder of Amazon) and OneWeb (a London-based company with a 45% government stake).” Although there still appears to be some hurdles to navigate ahead, Starlink’s activity in the midst of Elon Musk’s indicates that the company’s development remains on course. very public acquisition of Twitter Buoyed by positive publicity and the deployment of more satellites, the future may still be bright for Starlink, whenever it decides to finally launch its long-awaited IPO.

Bird-Watching and Stargazing: Could Elon Musk’s Purchase of Twitter Impact Starlink’s IPO prospects?

Observación de aves y estrellas: ¿Podría la compra de Twitter por parte de Elon Musk afectar las perspectivas de salida a bolsa de Starlink?

Observation des oiseaux et observation des étoiles : l'achat par Elon Musk de Twitter pourrait-il avoir un impact sur les perspectives d'introduction en bourse de Starlink ?

बर्ड-वॉचिंग और स्टारगेजिंग: क्या एलोन मस्क की ट्विटर की खरीद से स्टारलिंक की आईपीओ संभावनाएं प्रभावित हो सकती हैं?

野鳥観察と天体観測: イーロン マスクの Twitter 買収は Starlink の IPO 見通しに影響を与えるか?

Observação de pássaros e observação de estrelas: a compra do Twitter por Elon Musk poderia impactar as perspectivas de IPO da Starlink?

Bird-Watching và Stargazing: Liệu Elon Musk có thể mua Twitter có tác động đến triển vọng IPO của Starlink không?

观鸟和观星：埃隆马斯克收购 Twitter 会影响 Starlink 的 IPO 前景吗？

The internet is not perfect. It can be censored, surveilled, and controlled by a few private corporations or governments. However, there have been projects that have attempted to correct this and others that are laying the groundwork for achieving it. When we talk about decentralizing the internet, we usually only think about the layers of software, but we often forget about the infrastructure itself. In the end, no matter how decentralized your blockchain and your Dapps are, to access them you have to go through an ISP. One of the most famous attempts to decentralize the internet infrastructure was . It was an app for mobile devices that allowed people to communicate without an ISP connection or cellular service by using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signals. The app became popular in Hong Kong during the Umbrella Movement protests in 2014, when it helped protesters communicate with each other without being monitored by authorities. FireChat Another example is - a project for building decentralized satellite networks for connecting rural areas to the Internet without relying on expensive ground infrastructure or government subsidies. Even though Starlink is centralized by being owned by a private entity, this project is paving the way of what a decentralized internet infrastructure could be. Starlink Another point in favor of Starlink is that is owned by a freedom and decentralization advocate that we all know, Elon Musk. Elon's recent purchase of Twitter was driven by his desire to make the platform open-source and decentralized. This has shown that he is a true advocate for freedom and decentralization. Thus, we could expect Starlink to be the project that will decentralize the internet on a global scale, or at least set the groundwork for new, truly open and free alternatives that might be driven by a DAO. On the other hand, we have FireChat, an app that enables people to chat without using the internet, cell towers, or wifi. It uses bluetooth and wifi to connect devices. The idea behind it was to create a chatroom for people who don't have access to a data plan or internet connection. It has been used by protestors in Hong Kong, who were protesting the proposed bill that would have allowed extradition of suspects from Hong Kong to mainland China. They used FireChat as a way of organizing protests and communicating with each other while avoiding being monitored by the Chinese government. The way in which FireChat works is by creating a peer-to-peer mesh of devices and it uses the chips and technology available in the mobile devices we already have. A peer-to-peer mesh networking means that it does not rely on centralized servers to provide or relay network traffic, so it can work in a lot of different situations when there is no ISP or we want to avoid connecting to one. WiFi, 5G, the internet itself, and other advancements or concepts like FireChat show that we are getting closer to more affordable ways of decentralizing the internet. I see the decentralized internet in a similar light as the idea of decentralization in general. There are many applications that can be built on top of a decentralized platform, such as government itself or better solutions to day-to-day necessities of humanity that are currently being provided by private entities for profit. With a really decentralized infrastructure, we can have all those solutions in a democratic and decentralized way.

From FireChat to Starlink: The Best Attempts to Decentralize the Internet

Recently, SpaceX launched Starlink in Portugal. So, naturally, our CTO got one for Altar as soon as the pre-orders opened. A couple of weeks ago, the sleek satellite dish finally arrived. In no time at all, Claudio and a couple of devs from the team had unboxed it and set it up in the garden outside our offices. Fast forward to today, and he's had the opportunity to use Starlink, as well as run some tests. Here's the full rundown of those tests, in Claudio's words, starting with his initial impressions Starlink Unboxing & First Impressions Inside the large grey Starlink packaging, you’ll find: The Starlink, motorised, satellite dish – connected to a 30-meter (100 foot) Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) cable A metal tripod stand A power adaptor A small metal Wi-Fi Router with its own PoE cable. The initial set-up was incredibly simple: Click the dish into the tripod mount, plug the PoE cables from both the router and the dish into the power adaptor, plug it into the wall socket, download the app and you’re ready to go. The hardware is well designed, especially the metal Wi-Fi router, which looks like it’s been freshly carved out of a Cybertruck. The dish itself is plastic mounted on a metal pole. The PoE cable is permanently attached to the dish. I feel this last part is worth noting – without a way to easily detach the PoE cable from the dish, you could face having to replace the whole dish if the cable gets damaged. To run it out of your house you’re looking at either drilling a hole in the wall or permanently leaving a window open as the cable is quite thick (7mm) and includes an even thicker ferrite bead (19mm). The app is also well designed, with the consistent UX you would expect from a company like SpaceX. The seamless setup continues here with no login requirements – keeping the experience truly “plug and play”. This brings me to the crux of this article, the internet tests. Starlink Setup & Internet Tests To cut a long story short, Starlink offers a moderately fast, if somewhat inconsistent, broadband connection – under the right circumstances. I initially set up Starlink in the garden outside our offices. Despite the fact there were no obstructions directly above the dish, the garden is located in the centre of the building, and is surrounded on all sides. This was enough of an obstruction to mean that I wasn’t able to connect to the internet using Starlink (after 30 minutes of adjusting the dish positioning). It’s worth noting here, however, that Starlink’s value proposition is not for inner-city use. Rather, its goal is to bring high-speed internet to rural areas. So, I packed Starlink back up, popped it in the back of my car and headed home to run some further tests. I set Starlink up in my garden initially, 5 meters away from the house. Despite it being much more of an open space vs. the office, the height of my house (~7 meters) still obstructed the satellite dishes view. So, once I had run all the intended tests, I moved Starlink to an open field with no obstructions and repeated my tests. Aside from the placement of the dish (garden/obstructed & field/unobstructed) I kept all other aspects of the testing parameters the same. Here are the results: Testing Information SpaceX Services, Inc. ISP: 217.65.138.***. External IP address: Access to 1700 Starlink satellites orbiting at 550km of altitude, operating downlinks between 10.7Ghz and 29.1GHz. 2m Distance between Device (Android 11 Smartphone) and Access Point WiFi: -62dBm  (Good) RSSI: -80dBm (Good) Noise: using the Native Android Application. Method used: Ookla SpeedTest A Speed Test estimates the available capacity of the network between the client and the server. The throughput of the tests depends on the distance between the 2 endpoints (Round Trip Time), meaning the closest server will give the most accurate results. The Ookla app automatically chose my server. Per the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Recommendation, I executed the tests at randomly selected times throughout the day (including peak and offpeak time). Test #1: Throughput (Downstream, Upstream) Using the Native Ookla Application, I took 31 measurements at random intervals over two days against the fastest nearby server (automatically selected by the Ookla app). Here are the throughput results for both the obstructed and unobstructed conditions: Once I had completed the throughput tests, I moved on to test Latency & Timeouts. Test #2: Latency & Timeouts For this test, I carried out a continuous measurement over 260 mins. The goal here was to measure the number of timeouts that occur under both the obstructed and unobstructed scenarios. In the obstructed scenario (in my garden, 5 meters from my ~7 meters tall house) I observed 576 timeouts over the 260-minute test. Meaning, there was the chance of an outage every minute: In contrast, in the unobstructed scenario (open field) I observed 47 timeouts over the 260-minute test. Now, the chance of an outage had reduced to once every ~5 minutes: Key Takeaways There are no two ways about it, for optimal connection, where you position the dish is paramount. In an unobstructed scenario, I had no problem working using Starlink. I was able to keep a database connection most of the time, whilst streaming Spotify, downloading files and browsing the internet. In an obstructed scenario, however, it was almost unusable for work. There were simply too many outages. My connection was interrupted too often, my database connection was unstable and I often had to refresh web pages and wait before they would work. That being said, for normal smartphone usage, there were no noticeable differences between the obstructed and unobstructed scenarios. By “normal smartphone usage” I mean music/video streaming and using social media/chat apps). In terms of power consumption, Starlink runs at about 100W – although this can vary if the dishes motors are active. I haven’t observed any overheating or thermal issues with any of the kit parts and the dish seems to sit at a comfortable 23ºC – 25ºC when in use. Is Starlink a True Competitor to Rural Cable Broadband? In rural areas with a good internet infrastructure (basic fibre optic for example), Starlink can’t compete at this time. In areas where minimum cable broadband connections are unstable, however, is where Starlink starts to compete. The other bonus of Starlink is the fact it doesn’t come with a contract. Therefore, if you’re heading to a rural area temporarily (where a 24-month contract wouldn’t be worth it)  then it may be work installing a Starlink kit. After all, once you’ve bought the kit it’s yours, and although you can’t resell it, if you don’t end up using it, it could make a nice (if very expensive) coffee table. Wrapping Up Starlink is a remarkable feat of engineering and SpaceX’s ability to turn it into a consumer product is impressive. That being said, traditional cable companies won’t be overthrown by Starlink any time soon. Firstly, it carries a hefty price tag. The equipment costs €500 plus an added monthly service fee of €99 here in Portugal. It’s a lot to pay for, in the best-case scenario, the reasonable broadband speeds with inconsistent connectivity and large swings in latency that Starlink offers. Perhaps this will change as SpaceX launches more satellites. We may well see it work better when surrounded by tall trees or buildings, but that remains to be seen. However, I do believe that the traditional telecom companies should take note of Starlink. The execution of the product and the hype and excitement of a democratised internet connection should serve as a warning. A warning that people don’t want to be tied down to a 24-month contract just to get a decent internet connection – and that disruption is coming. This review was originally published here using  original data collected by our Chief Technology Officer, Cláudio.

Does Starlink Live Up to Its Hype? 

When I first came to know about Starlink, an internet service that will take the world by storm, I was unsure why we need it. I felt Elon Musk is trying to create an ecosystem at layer so he can overtake the so-called os/app layer ecosystem by Google and Apple, and become the lord of data. That could be true, but the fact is Starlink is really going to disrupt the internet because it is faster and readily available. the physical SpaceX plans to host around 42,000 Starlink satellites in space to bring its internet service to not only every corner of the world but to airplanes, RVs, and other remote locations. Starlink only managed to send its 27th batch of satellites. These satellites were launched into low earth orbit (LEO) using the Falcon 9 rocket. The company uses Falcon 9 rockets to send 60 satellites in a batch and now has satellites in space, ready to function. The most recent batch of 60 satellites was sent last Sunday, on May 10, completing a record tenth liftoff of the reused Falcon 9 rocket. It was the eleventh Starlink mission of this year. over 1442 SpaceX has made much progress. The company has started signing up beta testers and has already across the US, UK, and Canada. As the number of satellites increases, the network coverage will grow and cover more areas, including the most isolated places on Earth, to offer its services. received deposits from 500,000 people The Federal Communication Commission in December to SpaceX for Starlink expansion. The internet company is now looking to get a hand over of $20.4 Billion from the FCC's rural digital opportunity fund to go big. granted $900 million "With every launch, we get closer to connecting more people across the world," said Siva Bharadwaj, a SpaceX space operations engineer, during a broadcast of SpaceX's latest launch of Starlink satellites. Starlink: Fast Internet in Rural Areas SpaceX decided to launch the beta version of Starlink's services last October. Since then, it has had over . Users only need a router and satellite receiver of large pizza box size for $499. Because there is no conventional ground infrastructure required, the Starlink Beta testers predominantly live in rural and underdeveloped areas of Canada and the US. 10,000 beta testers To put things in perspective, let's talk about Rendel, the Starlink tester. Rendel manages and owns a 160-acre farm in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He has been a victim of poor internet service since forever. After spending $500 for the equipment that includes a flat dish and antenna, and $99 per month for service, he's now experiencing over 100 MB of download speed and upto 25 MB of upload speed. According to Rendel, his previous internet service provider wasn't even close. After being able to host zoom meetings and watch movies, Rendel , "This is a game-changer. It makes me feel like I'm part of civilization again." said Beta-testers are a speed of 200Mbps, and 150Mbps even in areas of Canada. According to Elon Musk, users will enjoy up to 300Mbps by year end. Starlink to provide 10Gbps to its users in the coming years. reporting remote plans Starlink Provides the Lowest Latency The most significant change that Starlink is bringing to the world is high-speed internet with the lowest latency. When this service will be available to the whole world, it will definitely break the conventional internet and take it to a whole new direction. Technically speaking, Starlink satellites orbit at an altitude of (GPS orbits at 20,000km). These satellites are equipped with five laser beams. Like optical fibers, the lasers will transmit pulses to communicate and share data. As light travels faster in vacuums, Starlink will have this primary advantage to provide the internet faster with a latency of below . This will be a huge advantage over traditional submarine cables as these cables have a refractive index of 1.5 approximately. 500km 20ms Currently, the fastest Hibernia transatlantic direct cable between New York and London has a latency of . Starlink having lower latency makes it ideal for online gaming, video calling, and time-sensitive financial operations. Starlink can theoretically achieve latency as low as 5ms. 60ms A senior engineer at SpaceX, Kate Rice, had a little something to say as well. In the live stream of one of the missions, she said, "As we launch more satellites, install more ground stations and improve our networking software, data speed, latency and uptime will all improve dramatically." Starlink: Risks and Reviews The company says that the current 500,000 registrations are easily manageable, and the $99 deposits are refundable if the service does not work. The company believes the number though is manageable but solving the network congestion would be a problem once we get into serving millions of users. While it looks like it is all planned out and going well for Starlink, many industry analysts had different opinions about the future of Starlink. , "Like any network, Starlink is going to enjoy rave reviews while it is underutilized. However, it will be challenged with the same congestion issues as their peers once they grow their base." Jim Patterson stated This is what John Byrne, a telecom analyst at global data, had to say about the new service, "There will always be early Starlink adopters who think that anything from Elon Musk is cool. But it's hard to see the satellite trajectory keeping pace with the improvements coming with cellular." While these concerns do make sense, with Elon Musk's success in the past, he is keen on bringing Starlink to its destination as well. I believe it is very much possible that Starlink fulfills what it intends to. Do you think that we are about to see a revolution in the world of the internet? Let us know in community ! For more articles on Starlink , don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter in the footer below.

How Starlink is Disrupting the Internet

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the need for innovative solutions to fix our fragmented internet has never been more apparent. On April 5th, I published a forward thinking article on Hackernoon titled "This Island Network thinks it can fix the internet - it might be right", which outlined our pioneering approach to reimagining internet infrastructure. Today, I'm excited to share a significant milestone in our journey toward creating a more decentralized, user centric web experience. "This Island Network thinks it can fix the internet - it might be right" Milestone Achieved: Membership Registration Opens New Horizons The recent launch of our membership registration system marks a pivotal moment for This Island Network. As announced on LinkedIn, this development is more than just a technical feature, it represents the foundation of our community driven approach to reimagining the internet. LinkedIn With our membership system now operational, we're implementing several key components that differentiate our vision: Decentralized Governance: Members have a direct voice in how the network evolves, moving away from the top down control that characterizes today's internet landscape.
Trusted Node Network: Each member contributes to a resilient infrastructure where data integrity and privacy are built into the foundation, not added as afterthoughts.
Pacific-Focused Solutions: As someone deeply invested in digital connectivity across Pacific Island nations, I've ensured our approach addresses the unique challenges faced by dispersed island communities. Decentralized Governance: Members have a direct voice in how the network evolves, moving away from the top down control that characterizes today's internet landscape. Decentralized Governance: Trusted Node Network: Each member contributes to a resilient infrastructure where data integrity and privacy are built into the foundation, not added as afterthoughts. Trusted Node Network: Pacific-Focused Solutions: As someone deeply invested in digital connectivity across Pacific Island nations, I've ensured our approach addresses the unique challenges faced by dispersed island communities. Pacific-Focused Solutions: Why Traditional Solutions Fall Short The current internet architecture, dominated by centralized platforms and services, continues to face growing challenges: Vulnerability to Outages: When major service providers experience downtime, entire regions lose connectivity.
Privacy Concerns: User data has become the product, with minimal transparency about how it's used.
Unequal Access: Remote and island communities often receive secondary consideration in infrastructure development. Vulnerability to Outages: When major service providers experience downtime, entire regions lose connectivity. Vulnerability to Outages: Privacy Concerns: User data has become the product, with minimal transparency about how it's used. Privacy Concerns: Unequal Access: Remote and island communities often receive secondary consideration in infrastructure development. Unequal Access: The This Island Network Difference What sets our approach apart is the focus on community ownership. Instead of treating users as passive consumers, This Island Network positions them as active participants in maintaining and evolving the infrastructure. Connectivity Best Practices: Ensuring Network Independence A cornerstone of our infrastructure strategy is following connectivity best practices for node operators. We recommend integrating high quality innovative LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite internet solutions such as Starlink Kits for optimal DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) capability. Additionally, we're excited about the potential of Spacecoin's LEO satellite network as another promising option for future connectivity. These approaches liberate our network from the constraints of traditional internet service providers and gatekeepers. By implementing these connectivity best practices, our network: Bypasses Traditional Bottlenecks: Reduced reliance on legacy ISPs with their artificial limitations and throttling


Ensures Broader Coverage: Even remote islands can participate as full network members


Creates Resilience: A distributed connectivity system is inherently more resistant to outages and censorship


Enables Greater Autonomy: Each node becomes a sovereign point of access with enhanced independence from local infrastructure limitations Bypasses Traditional Bottlenecks: Reduced reliance on legacy ISPs with their artificial limitations and throttling Bypasses Traditional Bottlenecks: Reduced reliance on legacy ISPs with their artificial limitations and throttling Bypasses Traditional Bottlenecks: Ensures Broader Coverage: Even remote islands can participate as full network members Ensures Broader Coverage: Even remote islands can participate as full network members Ensures Broader Coverage: Creates Resilience: A distributed connectivity system is inherently more resistant to outages and censorship Creates Resilience: A distributed connectivity system is inherently more resistant to outages and censorship Creates Resilience: Enables Greater Autonomy: Each node becomes a sovereign point of access with enhanced independence from local infrastructure limitations Enables Greater Autonomy: Each node becomes a sovereign point of access with enhanced independence from local infrastructure limitations Enables Greater Autonomy: This hybrid approach—combining blockchain technology with advanced satellite internet connectivity creates a truly groundbreaking model for internet access that is particularly well suited to the geographic challenges of Pacific island communities. Our membership model creates economic incentives aligned with network health rather than data extraction. By distributing both responsibility and rewards, we're building a more resilient system that can adapt to the needs of diverse communities. Looking Forward: The Road Ahead As our membership base grows, we'll be implementing several key initiatives: Expanded Node Network: Increasing geographical distribution to enhance resilience


Developer Ecosystem: Supporting innovative applications built on our infrastructure


Educational Outreach: Ensuring communities understand how to leverage and contribute to the network Expanded Node Network: Increasing geographical distribution to enhance resilience Expanded Node Network: Increasing geographical distribution to enhance resilience Expanded Node Network: Developer Ecosystem: Supporting innovative applications built on our infrastructure Developer Ecosystem: Supporting innovative applications built on our infrastructure Developer Ecosystem: Educational Outreach: Ensuring communities understand how to leverage and contribute to the network Educational Outreach: Ensuring communities understand how to leverage and contribute to the network Educational Outreach: The membership registration milestone represents just the beginning. With each new member, This Island Network comes closer to realizing its vision of a truly community driven internet, one that serves the needs of people rather than corporations. We invite you to join us on this journey by registering as a member through our website https://www.pasifika.xyz/ and becoming part of the solution to fix today's internet challenges. Together, we're not just imagining a better internet, we're building it. https://www.pasifika.xyz/ Let's Go!

Can a Bunch of Islands Teach the World How to Fix the Internet?

The lessons from ancient civilizations can help us with modern projects like creating a decentralized internet using satellite networks in space. The Romans built a system of roads and central governance with local management. These roads were controlled by state-appointed authorities with the help of local folks. And they succeeded in building a multi-tiered approach that kept their infrastructure operational for centuries despite political upheaval. Roman Senate, which seemed to represent the people was actually controlled by few people with special skills and resources. Even current unicorns and big companies teach us a lot of lessons that could be applied to space infrastructure. Uber decentralized ride-hailing by connecting both parties through a peer-to-peer network. However, it had to figure out unique ways to deal with safety and security issues, especially around driver-passenger accountability and compliance issues across different countries and accommodating to different requirements. Airbnb did something similar and reinvented ways to go into different countries with different laws and adapted. Let's take India's cooperative banks, which have been operational for quite some time, although not without issues, but still there's some lessons to be learned from them like. Saraswat Bank and Cosmos Bank are the ones that are still thriving based on customer focus and decentralized decision-making. They have a democratically-elected board that makes sure they provide needed services with oversight. However, they are not without their own issues like Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank. The failures teach us that decentralized governance will still need accountability, mostly for infrastructure that is critical. Think about a hospital emergency. Someone comes in needing urgent care. Doctors can't wait for everyone to vote; they have to act fast. Space is the same way; there's a lot at stake in terms of lives and money. A space project called OrbitDAO paid $1.2 million for a launch. But when they found a problem, they had a vote to decide what to do. The vote took too long, and they missed their launch, losing all their money [1]. Another project, StarLink, had a broken satellite. They argued about fixing it instead of acting. By the time they decided, it was too late, and they lost millions [2]. These stories show that space, like a hospital emergency, needs quick action. Voting takes too long when things are urgent. Sometimes it's also possible that decentralized systems end up creating new trust issues that are less visible even though they want to avoid creating trust issues. Users must trust that the network leaders will act in the best interest of the network during emergencies. For e.g., The Andromeda Network had 8,000 token holders but was run by just seven engineers who managed three satellites. When they faced a critical navigation decision, they bypassed the formal governance process and used an unofficial "emergency protocol." [3] This shows how technical needs can take precedence over the commitment to decentralization. Issues related to geographical laws cannot be solved by blockchain, like one satellite in space can cover the entire globe but has it's ground stations fixed. If the countries don't have healthy relationships then such kind of networks will have gaps, this will eventually come with its own sets of problems and fixes like privacy and connectivity. The proposal in question is essentially a hybrid between these two approaches: Wouldn't it be nice if you could pass legislation that allows some decisions to be made with the approval of the Senate (e.g. war) while making others, like the appointment of a Cabinet member, determined by an appointed official (in some kind of cabinet)? The most promising space projects today take a similar approach: some decisions (e.g., collision avoidance) require immediate action by an expert, while others don’t; these can wait. Others are hoping to use a fraction of every transaction fee for maintenance and eventual satellite replacement. Considerations over geography in design; such that stations are spread across allied but distinct jurisdictions so that there aren’t single points of regulatory failures. This means that they are forming special technical councils with explicit rules and a clear code of conduct to add expertise to frameworks. Conclusion Building a decentralized internet in space sounds great but to be honest it's not going to be easy in fact it's going to be hard. But we must carefully weigh the pros and cons of different approaches and in the end, it would be a huge win for humanity. We can learn a lot from what we've done on earth in thousands of years and use those learnings, although no system is perfect and it would come with its own set of challenges and we may even need to compromise on strict ideals to find practical solutions that work in the tough environment of space. But we should still keep our vision of the future in mind and put our best foot forward. References [1] SpaceNews. "OrbitDAO loses $1.2 million deposit after governance delay," 2022. [2] IEEE Spectrum. "StarLink satellite failure highlights decentralized governance limits," 2023. [3] Buterin, V. "Decentralized Governance Pitfalls," Ethereum Foundation blog, 2021.

Stories, News & Mentions about STARLINK

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Stories, News & Mentions about STARLINK

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