SpaceX is seeking approval for changes to Starlink that the company says will enable gigabit-per-second broadband service. In an application submitted to the United States Federal Communications Commission on October 11, SpaceX claims that “the requested modification and accompanying amendment will enable the Gen2 system to provide ubiquitous, high-speed mobile connectivity at speeds of gigabit and low latency to all Americans and billions.” people around the world who still do not have access to adequate broadband. »

SpaceX said it was seeking “several small but significant updates to the orbital configuration and operational parameters for its Gen2 space station authorization to improve space sustainability, better respond to evolving demand and share spectrum more efficiently with other spectrum users.

SpaceX wants to lower satellite altitudes “from 525 km, 530 km and 535 km to 480 km, 485 km and 475 km altitude, respectively.” The reconfiguration will increase the “maximum potential number of orbital aircraft and satellites per aircraft” while keeping the planned total number of second-generation satellites at 29,988 or less. The FCC has so far approved 7,500 Gen2 satellites.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote Monday that “next-generation Starlink satellites, which are so large only Starship can launch them, will enable a 10x increase in bandwidth and, with the reduced altitude, a faster latency.

SpaceX promised gigabit speeds in 2016, when the satellite system was only in the planning stages and didn’t even have a name yet. “Once fully optimized during final deployment, the system will be able to deliver high-bandwidth (up to 1 Gbps per user), low-latency broadband services to consumers and businesses in the United States and around the world,” SpaceX told the FCC in November 2016.

As for actual speeds in 2024, Starlink’s website states that “users typically experience download speeds between 25 and 220 Mbps, with a majority of users experiencing speeds above 100 Mbps.” Download speeds are typically between 5 and 20 Mbps. Latency varies between 25 and 60 ms. on land and more than 100 ms in some remote locations.

Changing satellite elevation angles

Another request would change satellite elevation angles to improve network performance, SpaceX said. “SpaceX is seeking to lower its minimum elevation angle from 25 degrees to 20 degrees for satellites operating between 400 and 500 kilometers in altitude,” SpaceX told the FCC. “Reducing the minimum elevation angle in this way will improve customer connectivity by allowing satellites to connect directly to more earth stations and maintain connections with earth stations for a longer period of time while hovering.”

Meanwhile, Starlink’s Gen2 satellite upgrades “will feature improved hardware capable of using higher gain and more advanced beamforming and digital processing technologies and providing more targeted and robust coverage to American consumers,” SpaceX said.

SpaceX is also seeking more flexible use of spectrum licenses to support its planned mobile service and current home internet service. The company requested permission “to use Ka, V and E band frequencies for mobile or fixed satellite use cases where the U.S. or International Frequency Allocation Table permits such dual use and where the antenna parameters would be indistinguishable. » “.