Starlink Needs Far Fewer Satellites Than Expected
I agree this is the most significant statement, an acknowledgement of the reality that Starlink demand is not unlimited. 20K V3 BB sats is enough for 200M+ users worldwide, 1200 V2 DTC satellites may be sufficient for occasional use by up to 2B mobile subs
Satellite Operators Can't Match Launch Providers' Internal Pricing Advantage
This is the wrong framing. The correct framing is "it's only reasonable to ask whether any satellite operators can compete with launch providers that build their own constellations and charge *prices* to third parties that are much higher than their...
Broadband Users ≠ DTC Users: Different Metrics, ARPU
Why do people deliberately conflate broadband (10M users) with DTC (aiming for 25M monthly users at the end of 2026)? Monthly DTC users (who use DTC on average 1-2 times per month and generate ~$1 ARPU) are not at all...
Starlink 2025 Revenue Forecast Vastly Overstated
This is way too high, but that's unsurprising since the starting point used for Starlink in 2025 ($14B+) is completely out of line with the known revenue for the year (<$12B)
Automatic Satellite Switching Will Worsen Mobile Connectivity Issues
This will only become more of an issue when automatic switching to satellite D2D is included in their mobile plans...
GSMA D2D Analysis Misses Indoor Coverage‑demand Paradox
Interesting piece on D2D from GSMA. Gets the physics and capacity limitations right, but doesn't resolve the inherent contradiction between the lack of indoor coverage and what that means for actual end user demand in rural unserved areas https://t.co/0ncbKgndSC
Satellite Show's Shortlist Overlooks Key Industry Leader Charlie Ergen
This shortlist for Satellite Executive of the Year makes me feel that SatShow no longer has its finger on the pulse of the most significant industry developments... (yes the SES-Intelsat merger is a big deal but shouldn't Charlie Ergen be...
Starlink’s First 100K Terminals Cost $2,500 Each
Starlink is a good example of this, everyone now seems to forget that the first 100K+ terminals cost ~$2500 each to make...
Iridium’s Rapid Downpayment Saved SpaceX’s Payroll
The second time was June 2010 when Iridium had to wire the downpayment immediately after signing the launch contract so SpaceX could make payroll the next day https://t.co/UeIt4PAY4O
Starlink Dominates D2D; Terrestrial Networks Still Superior
Good to see the #cluelesscult finally acknowledging that my Feb 2023 predictions that 1) Starlink would dominate the D2D market and 2) D2D performance will never match terrestrial networks were both totally correct...
NTIA Limits US, Yet Global Handset Impact Hits Equatys
This doesn't seem like good news for Equatys either, even though NTIA action is limited to the US, because the handset design implications won't just be limited to the US...
D2D Signals Can't Penetrate Buildings, Starlink Confirms
Good piece on the physics of D2D, with everyone emphasizing it won't penetrate buildings like terrestrial does (which Starlink admits too, with only AST #cluelesscult members still in denial) https://t.co/TsFCNnsuGp
DISH Pushes for Higher Power Limits in CBRS
And would really like to get higher power limits and increased value for this spectrum...
Starlink’s Net Adds Steady; Production Bottleneck, Not Slowdown
Of course Starlink is definitely not experiencing a slowdown in net adds ahead of the IPO and is instead constrained by temporary terminal production shortfalls...
ASTS Delays Satellite Timeline, Offers No Clarity
What a debacle. They can't even promise to complete the "40 satellites equivalent of microns" until "first half of 2026" compared to "early 2026" previously. With no clarity on when any completed satellites will be ready to ship. Also dropped...
EchoStar 10‑K Reveals Limited Non‑European Satellite Assets
Lots of useful detail in EchoStar 10-K on foreign assets transferred (see pp415-418). Outside Europe there's just SIRION-1 Australian filing plus licenses in Brazil, Chile & Mexico (but Brazil is specific to Lyra, Chile is non-exclusive, Mexico is GEO) https://t.co/mHJqFgkMzd
Starlink's German Pivot: Why Lufthansa and DT Switched Fast
My new blog post on Starlink's German alignment: why have both Lufthansa and DT changed their minds in short order? https://t.co/KFmPPokCry
Starlink Hints at Extended Viasat/EchoStar 2GHz Licenses
Starlink is effectively confirming (or at least treating as a fait accompli) what I've been told previously, that the incumbent Viasat and EchoStar 2GHz licenses will be extended for a period of time beyond 2027
Starshield: Distinct, Classified Constellation Separate From Starlink
How many Starshield satellites are there? How many Starlink satellites are needed to provide continuous service? https://t.co/qIfvwWuPIy
Space Firms May
Recall that two years ago Rivada blamed Oct 7 for delays in securing funding for their contract with Terran Orbital. I'm wondering which space company will be the first to use the current Middle East conflict as an excuse for...
Starlink's Growth Hinges on Terrestrial Competition, Not Physics
The future growth of Starlink revenues is absolutely *not* just a matter of "math and physics". SpaceX can provide ample capacity, they don't even need Starship to do that. It's now a matter of competing with terrestrial providers, which has...
Starlink's $1B Ukraine Deal Sparks Renewed Debate
Seems like we had this debate before re Starlink and Ukraine...so how does it play into the DoW's ~$1B per year contract with Starlink? https://t.co/vRYy6SwnTe
Starlink Monopoly Will Dominate Residential Broadband Future
Enjoyed my panel today during the opening session at #RTIME2026 here in Orlando. My message: Elon Musk doesn't care about your economics. And in 5 years time, your biggest issue will be what to do about Starlink's monopoly in residential...
My Prediction of Ergen's Bid Stunned AT&T Insiders
Fun chat today with someone who was in the AT&T bidding room for Auction 97 (AWS-3) and told me how astonished they were that I'd figured out Ergen's bidding strategy and blogged about it. Apparently AT&T's CEO didn't believe it......
