Featured Image Source: Starlink Render Created By @ErcXspace via Twitter

SpaceX’s Starlink internet satellite service is rapidly expanding coverage around the globe. The latest satellite deployment took place on April 7, a total of 60 internet-beaming satellites were launched to low Earth orbit where each will operate at an altitude of 550-kilometers to beam broadband connection to user terminals. The launch increased the broadband constellation size to around 1,443 satellites in orbit out of a dozen thousand more. The most recent country to receive out-of-this-world internet service is Australia. However, the service is available in ‘limited supply’ for portions of southern New South Wales and central Victoria because Starlink is still in its beta phase, “Service will expand across the country in the coming months,” the company said. SpaceX also plans to setup Starlink Gateway ground stations in Australia, which are the linking factor between the satellites in orbit and data centers on Earth. The company plans to operate a total of 24 ground stations, according to Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), that regulates telecommunications services in the country.

A couple of weeks ago, the company sent out e-mails to potential Starlink customers living in Australia, some already received the Starlink kit to access the network. An Australian Starlink user (@Radek_BNE) shared via Reddit that they received the Starlink phased-array dish antenna and Wi-Fi router yesterday, April 11. They conducted an online speed test of the service and report that Starlink provided high-speed internet of over 300 megabits per second (Mbps). They provided a screenshot of the Starlink network’s speed test, pictured below. The speed test results state that Starlink download speed for the new Australian user is 344Mbps, upload speed of 42.1Mbps, and latency of 43ms (milliseconds). These high speeds are expected to fluctuate from time to time as SpaceX launches more satellites to orbit the service will become more reliable. Under Starlink beta service the company advertised much lower speeds from 50Mbps to 150Mbps, and for the past three weeks or so, Starlink users have been reporting higher speeds. SpaceX founder Elon Musk said in March that “speed will double to ~300Mbps and latency will drop to ~20ms later this year.” 

Image Source: @Radek_BNE via Reddit