# SpaceX’s Starlink: Minor Adjustments, Major Effects on Internet Performance
SpaceX is advancing its ambitious strategy to upgrade its Starlink satellite internet service, with the goal of providing gigabit-per-second broadband connections. In an application filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on October 11, 2024, SpaceX detailed a set of “minor-but-significant adjustments” that could greatly enhance the efficiency of its second-generation (Gen2) satellite network. These adjustments aim to elevate download speeds, minimize latency, and broaden worldwide availability, potentially revolutionizing internet access for users, especially in underprivileged regions.
## The Objective: Gigabit Connections and Minimal Latency
SpaceX’s ambition is straightforward: to deliver gigabit-speed, low-latency broadband to users around the globe. In its submission, the company asserted that the suggested changes would enable the Gen2 network to provide “gigabit-speed, genuinely low-latency broadband and widespread mobile connectivity to all Americans and the billions of individuals globally who still lack sufficient broadband access.”
This is not the first occasion SpaceX has made such a promise. As early as 2016, when Starlink was still in its initial phases, the firm informed the FCC that its satellite network would ultimately provide download speeds reaching up to 1Gbps for each user. However, actual figures in 2024 have been considerably lower, with Starlink users generally experiencing download speeds of between 25 and 220Mbps, as identified on the company’s website. Upload speeds fall between 5 to 20Mbps, and latency on land ranges from 25 to 60 milliseconds (ms), though it may exceed 100ms in more isolated regions.
The intended modifications are aimed at bridging the divide between these current speeds and the gigabit-level capabilities that SpaceX has envisioned for some time.
## Significant Alterations to Satellite Configuration
A major alteration SpaceX is suggesting entails lowering the altitude of its Gen2 satellites. Presently, the satellites operate at altitudes of 525 km, 530 km, and 535 km. SpaceX proposes to adjust these to 480 km, 485 km, and 475 km, respectively. This change would enable the satellites to function more efficiently, enhancing space sustainability and better addressing the evolving demand for broadband offerings.
Beyond lowering altitudes, SpaceX intends to increase the number of orbital planes and the count of satellites per plane, while keeping the overall number of Gen2 satellites capped at 29,988. At this time, the FCC has greenlit 7,500 Gen2 satellites, but SpaceX’s long-term vision is to deploy nearly 30,000 satellites for comprehensive global coverage.
Reducing satellite altitude offers several benefits, such as decreased latency. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk recently tweeted that the upcoming generation of Starlink satellites, which are substantial enough that only the company’s Starship rocket can launch them, will enable a “10X increase in bandwidth” and “faster latency” attributable to the lowered altitude.
## Enhancing Network Efficiency with Elevation Angle Modifications
Another significant change SpaceX seeks involves adjusting the elevation angles of its satellites. The firm intends to decrease the minimum elevation angle from 25 degrees to 20 degrees for satellites functioning at altitudes ranging from 400 to 500 km. This seemingly minor alteration could significantly affect network efficiency.
By lowering the minimum elevation angle, satellites will gain the ability to connect with more ground stations and sustain those connections for extended durations as they pass above. This development would improve customer connectivity, particularly in regions where maintaining a steady connection has proven difficult.
## Upgraded Hardware for Gen2 Satellites
SpaceX is also enhancing the equipment on its Gen2 satellites. These enhancements will incorporate higher-gain antennas, advanced beamforming technologies, and upgraded digital processing capabilities. The outcome will yield more targeted and robust coverage, especially for American users who depend on Starlink for home internet.
In addition to bolstering fixed broadband services, these hardware upgrades will also facilitate SpaceX’s ambitions to provide mobile connectivity. The company is requesting more flexible utilization of spectrum licenses, seeking the FCC’s approval to employ Ka-, V-, and E-band frequencies for both mobile and fixed-satellite functions. This flexibility would enable SpaceX to cater to the varied connectivity needs of consumers, businesses, and governmental users.
## Navigating Regulatory Challenges
While SpaceX’s proposed changes could greatly enhance Starlink’s performance, the company still encounters regulatory hurdles. The FCC has previously shown skepticism regarding some of SpaceX’s assertions, especially concerning the system’s capacity to consistently deliver low-latency, high-speed broadband.
In 2022, the FCC declined to grant SpaceX an $886 million subsidy aimed at expanding broadband access in rural locales. The agency cited apprehensions about Starlink’s capacity limits and declining speeds, alongside the initial high cost of the service, which was $600 at that time (though it has since been lowered to $300 in certain areas). The FCC also
