FCC Chair Calls for Increased Competition in Satellite Internet Amid Starlink's Dominance

SpaceX's satellite internet service, Starlink, has a new competitor in Staten Island as Orange has launched its own satellite internet offer aimed at providing high-speed internet connections to residents. The subscription includes internet connection speeds of up to 200 Mbps and unlimited phone calls to many countries for €49.99/month. Orange hopes to better compete with Starlink by marketing the satellite offer under its own brand. However, the latency of Orange's satellite connection is expected to be around 800 ms, which may limit certain uses. The offer does not mention any prioritized traffic volume.

In a related development, Starlink users can now utilize wifi calling to make and receive calls on their cell phones. Wifi calling sends calls through wireless internet, such as Starlink, rather than through a cell provider's network. To enable wifi calling, users need to connect their phones to their Starlink internet and enable the feature in their phone settings. This feature is compatible with new or newer phones and major carriers, ensuring reachability during emergencies, especially during severe fire seasons or network outages.

Amid these developments, FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel has criticized Starlink for holding almost two-thirds of the satellite market, stating that monopolies do not benefit the U.S. economy. During a conference on September 11, 2024, she urged for more companies to develop satellite constellations. The FCC is taking steps to increase competition by assisting potential entrants with the licensing process. SpaceX's Starlink facility in Texas produces 90,000 terminals weekly, with an annual capacity of 4.6 million units. Furthermore, SpaceX plans to launch Starlink Cellular in collaboration with T-Mobile, aiming to eliminate dead zones [e6a421bf].

Researchers from the University of Southern California have warned that internet satellite networks like Starlink may deplete the ozone layer. The ozone layer is essential as it shields humans from the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. Currently, there are over 8,000 internet satellites in low-Earth orbit, with Starlink controlling about 6,000 of them. The satellites have a five-year lifespan limit and are intended to burn up in the atmosphere when their operational lives are over, potentially releasing more than 1,000 tons of aluminum oxide, which can damage the ozone layer. Researchers have found that the atmospheric concentration of aluminum oxides has already risen by approximately eight times between 2016 and 2022. SpaceX has permission to launch an additional 42,000 Starlink satellites, and other tech companies like Amazon also plan to launch more satellites in the future [e08eed33].

The challenge remains to balance human progress with ecological responsibility, as the rapid expansion of satellite networks raises concerns about environmental impacts. Elon Musk's Starlink program, while providing connectivity, may also contribute to ozone layer depletion and disrupt Earth's magnetic field. The satellites emit aluminum oxide gas that reacts with chlorine in the atmosphere, potentially demolishing ozone molecules. As SpaceX's Starlink program expands, the rate of accumulated space debris poses an environmental crisis, highlighting the need for sustainable practices in the satellite internet industry [1df0da1b].