+Elon Musk’s space-based internet service, Starlink, is now active in Australia, providing a new and potentially game-changing option for internet connectivity. With its low-latency, high-speed internet service, Starlink has the potential to be a strong alternative to the National Broadband Network (NBN) and expensive dedicated fibre connections for many businesses and consumers in Australia.
One of the key benefits of Starlink is its low latency, which refers to the time it takes for data to travel between its source and destination. This is particularly important for applications that require real-time communication, such as online gaming and video conferencing. According to SpaceX, the company behind Starlink, the service has an average latency of 20 milliseconds, which is much lower than the average latency of 100 milliseconds for other satellite internet services and similar to the latency of traditional broadband services.
Starlink offers download speeds that can exceed 350 Mbps and upload speeds of 50 Mbps+. While these speeds may not be as fast as some dedicated fibre connections, they are more than sufficient for most business and personal internet usage, including streaming video, browsing the web, and using cloud-based apps.
Another advantage of Starlink is its coverage area. Because the service uses a network of satellites orbiting the Earth, it can provide internet access to virtually any location, including areas that are underserved or unserved by traditional broadband infrastructure. This makes it a potentially attractive option for businesses and consumers in rural and remote areas of Australia.
The service currently costs $139 per month in the Australia, plus a current one-time fee of $450 for the required equipment. While this is more expensive than some traditional broadband options, it may be a worthwhile investment for businesses and consumers who require a reliable and high-quality internet connection but don’t have access to other options.
Overall, Elon Musk’s Starlink represents a promising new option for internet connectivity in Australia. With its low latency, high speeds, and wide coverage area, it has the potential to be a strong alternative to the NBN and dedicated fibre connections for many businesses and consumers. While it may not be the right fit for everyone, it is certainly worth considering for those who require a reliable and high-quality internet connection but don’t have access to other options.
Current information and pricing can be found on Starlink’s website: https://www.starlink.com/
By John Morgan
(BInfTech, MCSE, CompTIA A+), a qualified Senior IT Manager with 20+ years’ experience across a wide range of technologies in the hospitality, entertainment, retail, medical and sporting sectors.