Elon Musk wants to give people gigabit satellite Internet, but the orbit will have to be filled with 30 thousand Starlink devices

SpaceX-owned satellite provider Starlink has decided to provide users with gigabit connection speeds, but to do this it will need to occupy a wider range of radio spectrum and form a constellation of 30 thousand devices in orbit – it has submitted a corresponding application to the American Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Image source: starlink.com

A week ago, SpaceX revealed some of its plans in a filing with the FCC that included a request to expand the radio spectrum in which the satellites operate, as well as to operate them in an orbit from 480 to 530 km. The day before, the company submitted another application, which requests an even wider portion of the radio spectrum, lower orbits for second-generation satellites, and permission to deploy up to 29,988 devices. These changes, according to the company, “will enable the second-generation system to provide gigabit speeds, truly low-latency broadband and ubiquitous mobile coverage to all Americans and the billions of people around the world who still lack access to adequate broadband connectivity.”

To reduce latency to less than 20 ms, SpaceX wants permission to launch satellites into orbit between 340 and 365 km. The additional frequencies for spacecraft and ground stations will help improve downlink and uplink communication speeds, “thus allowing SpaceX to stay ahead of growing demand from consumers, businesses and government customers,” the company said. Even more advanced Starlink V3 satellites (third generation), which will be launched into orbit using the Starship, will further increase speeds. SpaceX assures that if the second generation devices start operating in the extended radio range, they will not interfere with other networks. However, competitors may not agree with them.