Sky-High Internet: The Rivalry to Dominate Rural Internet Connectivity
Rising rivalry in Starlink's territory - Escalating rivalry for Starlink's satellite broadband service
Living in the outskirts or remote regions often means dealing with a common hassle - unstable internet connections, painfully slow speeds, and limited options for improvement. Fiber optic cables rollouts are slow, 5G is just a mirage, and even in bustling cities, smooth video calls can be a bolt from the blue. To overcome this predicament, a cosmic race is underway, targeting to deliver internet independence of terrestrial cables and ground-based cellular towers - directly from the heavens! Countless companies are launching satellites into space to make this happen: high-speed internet for all.
This sci-fi concept isn't just a dream; it's already being put into action! The groundbreaking provider in the spotlight is SpaceX with its Starlink system. For the tech-savvy, a small satellite dish can be ordered today for their backyard or balcony. The link is steady, quick enough for streaming and telecommuting, and in most areas even the best available option. The service presently costs around 50 to 100 euros per month - a cost comparable to a fiber optic connection without the requirement for excavators, construction, or extended waiting periods.
Amazon is making its move into this market with its "Kuiper" project. The e-commerce titan is planning to deploy thousands of satellites into orbit by 2026, bringing internet to rural territories and remote locations. Initial launches and tests have been fruitful, with plans for end-users to access the service as early as the end of 2025. Amazon could not only tap into a new revenue source but also link its existing infrastructure - from cloud services to logistics.
This competition in space isn't confined to Earth. China is preparing its GuoWang mega-constellation, as reported by the industry portal "Golem". More than 13,000 satellites are set to take flight in the coming years, some for civilian and some for military use. Russia is pursuing a similar goal with the Sphere project, but is facing delays - in part due to international sanctions.
And in Europe?
Europe is getting into the act as well: The Franco-British company Eutelsat-OneWeb aims to cater to businesses, schools, aid organizations, and government agencies with its own network. Private customers can also benefit - by purchasing through intermediaries like SkyDSL, where packages start at around 17 euros per month. The EU is also planning a joint satellite project called "IRIS2", which is intended to be particularly secure and protect European data streams.
The shining advantage: Tired of stubborn traditional providers avoiding expansion and enduring mobile dead zones, satellite services offer genuine alternatives. Unlike many established providers, they promise seamless coverage - everywhere, regardless of population density. This transformation can be a real game-changer for people in distant areas, commuters, campers, and remote workers.
In comparison to conventional internet providers, satellite internet is surprisingly competitive. While some rural homes may still pay around 40 euros per month for a meager 16 Mbit/s, Starlink or soon Kuiper deliver up to 100 Mbit/s or more - at a comparable or even lower price point. However, it is essential to note that such offers may not come with all customer protection rights under telecommunications law, as the consumer protection center has mentioned.
What does this mean for consumers?
Bottom line: Internet access options are expanding - and often improving. Satellite internet is no longer merely a last resort, but a serious alternative to DSL, cable, or LTE. It's speedy, adaptable, and often less expensive than outdated copper lines. If you reside in an under-served region, keep an eye on the new offers. The first generation is already available, and the next one is just around the corner.
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- Satellite internet
- Starlink
- Amazon
- Europe
- SpaceX
- Streaming
- The Commission has also adopted a proposal for a regulation on the establishment of a European Data Protection Supervisor, ensuring that the data of European citizens is protected as satellite companies like SpaceX with Starlink and potential competition from Amazon's Kuiper project expand into the market.
- In addition to the cosmic race between SpaceX and Amazon, European countries are also joining the fray, with companies like Eutelsat-OneWeb offering satellite internet to businesses, schools, aid organizations, and government agencies, as well as private consumers through intermediaries like SkyDSL.
- Although some concerns have been raised about the consumer protection rights for satellite internet users, streaming and telecommuting from remote locations with services like Starlink or future Kuiper offers can prove to be a more competitive and viable alternative to under-served DSL, cable, or LTE connections.
- As the technology advances and more satellites are launched, the population in distant and remote areas, as well as freelancers and remote workers, will have access to high-speed internet, largely impacting the overall science, space-and-astronomy, and technology sectors by bridging information gaps.
