The Starlink satellite internet of the US company SpaceX owned by Elon Musk has received the first frequencies for use by the Federal Network Agency. It is the first frequency assignment in this country for a mega constellation of satellites that are supposed to bring Internet access in poorly covered regions. SpaceX has now launched hundreds of satellites for the project, and the first customers in the USA can already test the offer. The frequency assignment in Germany is initially limited to one year so that adjustments can be made afterwards.

Tens of thousands of satellites planned SpaceX had started building Starlink at the end of 2019 and wants to use the satellites to join remote regions of the world provide affordable internet access. Starlink is supposed to simulate a complete network structure in space. Customers need a small antenna that connects to the satellites, SpaceX supplies a WiFi router. All in all, the company has already launched almost 1000 satellites into space, initially several thousand and later even several tens of thousands. Other companies want to follow suit and set up their own networks, such as Amazon with the Kuiper project.

The Federal Network Agency now assures that the frequency allocation contains regulations, “that the coexistence and ensure trouble-free operation with other applications in the same and adjacent frequency range “. It is about directional radio, radio astronomy and geostationary satellite applications. Starlink has also received frequency assignments for several earth stations that are to serve as gateways. Overall, this step created the legal frequency requirements so that broadband internet can be offered via satellite in Germany, “says network agency boss Jochen Homann. Further details on frequency allocation in Germany are to be published in the official gazette of the Federal Network Agency.

Beta test and criticism After it was unclear for a long time how much money SpaceX would charge for Internet access, the beta test shows in the USA in a first direction: In the “better-than-nothing-beta”, customers are offered speeds between 50 and 150 Mbit / s promised, as well as latencies of 20 to 40 ms. Also there will be short periods of time without any connection. Whoever wants to participate should pay monthly 99 US dollars (85 Euro) and for the equipment once 499 US Dol lar (about 425 Euro). Most recently, SpaceX had secured funding of almost one billion US dollars from the US telecommunications regulator FCC, but there is criticism of the approval process, which did not focus on remote areas.

Criticism of Starlink as a whole has been around for a long time from science: Astronomers have been pointing out for months that the immense number of satellites is having a growing influence on their work and determines Could make research areas much more difficult. In the meantime there is a dialogue that is supposed to help counteract the most massive consequences. SpaceX has already begun redesigning the satellites to make them less visible in the night sky. Even so, the constellations cannot be completely hidden and radio astronomers had recently reported concerns.

(mho)