The Skyward Shift: Redefining Global Connectivity

Hello Glass Half Full Readers,

Building a startup is all about uncovering the deeper ‘why.’ More than merely pinpointing a problem, it’s a journey into its heart, understanding what gives rise to it, and taking steps to address it before it even rears its head. It’s a bit like how we looked at communication before the iPhone came into the picture. Sure, communication was decent enough, but we were oblivious to the fact that it could be disrupted. Considering the impact, one would think such a transformation in how we communicate would have been clear as day and arrived much earlier. Yet, it’s funny how we often don’t see room for improvement until someone shifts our perspective. Looking back, it’s hard to fathom how we managed to communicate effectively before — I’m stretching it a bit, but you see where I’m coming from.

With that said, how does communication pivot from its current state to where it will be in 50 years? How many people will still use desktop computers and hardline ethernet into the wall? Why can I not have 5G with 5 bars of signal strength on my phone everywhere I go?

The future is advancements in network mobility.

Man-made constellations.

Two giants, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, and SpaceX’s Starlink, are racing to paint the sky with satellites. The most important piece of the puzzle is fiber to the ground satellite stations worldwide. For Amazon, that means 12 large satellite ground stations communicating to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites flying in orbital rings around the Earth. Starlink's design involves hundreds of ground stations and thousands of satellites, as shown in the tracker below.?

Project Kuiper: Amazon’s Galactic?Dream

• Project Kuiper aims to enhance broadband access via a constellation of satellites in LEO. Amazon’s vision is to eradicate the global digital divide in areas as remote as the Amazon rainforest. The design comprises 3,236 satellites, all working in tandem to provide consistent broadband coverage. The satellites will work in three orbital rings at 590 km, 610 km, and 630 km above the Earth’s surface, providing a latency of about 4 ms, faster than a blink of an eye.
• Amazon has a dedicated satellite production facility in Kirkland, Washington, capable of producing up to five satellites daily. The project already employs over 1,000 top-tier engineers and support staff.
• Internet speeds are estimated to reach up to 400 Mbps from their mobile Kuiper home antenna.

Starlink: SpaceX’s Starry?Vision

• As of July 2023, Starlink has 4,519 satellites in orbit, with 4,487 operational. Their early entry and swift satellite deployment have allowed them to provide services in several rural regions.
• Starlink’s ambition doesn’t stop at the current number. They plan to launch thousands more, ensuring global coverage and bringing high-speed internet to even the Earth's most remote corners.
• SpaceX aims to deploy a vast network of nearly 42,000 tablet-sized satellites in low Earth orbit to cater to global connectivity needs. The compact satellites of Starlink, known as Cubesats, ensure dense network coverage, and their proximity to Earth results in reduced latency.
• Starlink provides limitless rapid internet access using a multitude of compact satellites, delivering speeds of up to 150 Mbps. In the near future, SpaceX intends to increase this speed twofold.

Glass Half?Full

Over 4 billion people globally — more than half of the world’s population — still grappling with the challenge of inconsistent or no access to broadband internet. This staggering number underscores a digital divide wherein vast segments of society are waiting for transformative innovations.

With the combined efforts of giants like Amazon and SpaceX, we’re on the brink of a connectivity revolution. Consider this, if even 10% of the planned satellites from both companies become operational in the next five years, we could potentially connect an additional 400 million people to the internet. That’s equivalent to the entire population of the United States.

Moreover, as technology continues to evolve, the cost of accessing these satellite-based internet services is expected to decrease, making it more affordable for people in developing regions. The ripple effect includes enhanced educational opportunities, improved healthcare services through telemedicine, and a boost in local economies as businesses tap into the global market.

In a decade, I envision satellite antennas compact enough to fit within our phones. While 5G represents a significant leap, it’s merely a precursor to the monumental advancements awaiting in network mobility. As we transition into this groundbreaking era, telecom companies that fail to innovate and adapt might be left behind.

Intriguingly, the companies from which you purchase everyday consumer products might become your next mobile phone provider.

Thanks for Reading,

Christopher