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Overview of Starlink:

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation project developed by SpaceX, the private aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded by Elon Musk. The project aims to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet service to underserved and remote areas across the globe.

Application of Starlink:

Starlink is designed to address the issue of internet access in rural and remote regions where traditional internet infrastructure is lacking or non-existent. The first application is that it can provide internet access. To be more specific, it can provide internet to rural and underserved areas where traditional fiber is not available. For example, “Households and enterprises in remote rural areas in the Philippines now have access to fast internet via Elon Musk’s Starlink” (Isagani De Castro Jr, 2023).

The second application is for maritime territory and disaster areas. This is because in those area, it will lack the traditional fiber infrastructure. Hence, it is hard to communicate. On the other hand, if we use radio, it has a distance limitation. But Starlink can fix this problem and make it more effective. For example: “Although Entel’s mobile networks cover 98% of the populations of Chile and Peru, the Starlink deal will allow it to provide services in maritime territory or in areas that suffered natural disasters.”(Bnamericas, 2023). Therefore, we can see from this example that people realized the benefits and advantages of using Starlink.

Competitive Advantages:

This is because of its vertical integration and cost efficiency. SpaceX’s vertical integration allows it to control almost every aspect of the satellite production and launch process. By manufacturing its own rockets (Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy) and satellites, SpaceX can significantly reduce costs compared to companies that need to rely on third-party suppliers and launch services. This cost efficiency is critical for deploying and maintaining a large constellation of satellites like Starlink. Besides, the rocket technology is reusable. Reusable rockets dramatically lower the cost of launching satellites into orbit. The ability to reuse Falcon 9 boosters means that SpaceX can afford to launch more satellites more frequently and at a fraction of the traditional cost. For example, “But, when SpaceX re-uses parts of its rocket, the company says it can charge even less than its list price. In a briefing earlier this year, SpaceX director of vehicle integration Christopher Couluris said the company can “bring launches down to below $30 million per launch.” (Michael Sheetz, 2020)

Future Perspective:

I think due to its trend, it will eventually be worldwide. To be more specific, there are some countries that already accept Starlink and wide use it, such as Chile, Mexico, Spain, and so on. It also will increase the bandwidth and speed. As the satellite network expands, Starlink will be able to offer higher bandwidth and faster speeds. The launch of additional satellites and the development of new technologies will enhance overall service quality. Besides, Starlink will likely develop tailored solutions for businesses, enterprises, and industries. This includes providing connectivity for remote operations in sectors like mining, oil and gas, and agriculture. Hence, It is a good for startup to connect their service with it or set up their service that can land a good foundation with it in future.