is a network of thousands of satellites located close to the Earth – about 550km from the planet’s surface – that provide broadband internet access.
Of course, satellites are already used for internet connectivity. But a traditional internet satellite is a single geostationary object; its position in orbit is fixed in relation to the Earth. These satellites are also located more than 35,000km from Earth, so it takes a long time for the signal to reach the end user.
Starlink’s Low-Earth Orbit satellites are able to interconnect and relay signals between each other, creating fast, stable internet service. There are also a lot of them: on 17 February 2023, SpaceXThe company can launch its own satellites on demand and update them with the latest technology as required, which it saysMuch of Africa’s internet access is currently being provided through mobile, wireless internet – signals are relayed from land-based towers.
One area of concern when it comes to Starlink is the cost. For example, at the beginning of February 2023, FiberOne, a broadband internet provider in Nigeria,
Mmmm this will never happen because.. kickbacks and red tape. government and the likes don't want to advance people or this country it doesn't benefit them.
appatently due to SA's BBBEE requirements Musk has refused to have Starlink in SA as he has to take in a 51% majority BBBEE partner. so reat of africa will have Starlink except SA
Does thunderstorms affect the service?
South Africa was scheduled to get Starlink in 2022 already, unfortionately ICASA_org seems to hold the process up, probably BEE requirements or slow / incompetent officials. Could make such a big difference in rural SA, like at schools who could get khanacademy etc.