It’s rather similar to the mobile network, just on a grander scale!

The basics…

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, is a satellite-based internet service that delivers high-speed broadband connectivity worldwide, particularly to remote and underserved areas, through a vast constellation of small satellites orbiting in low Earth orbit (LEO) at altitudes between 550 and 1,200 kilometres. The system works by deploying thousands of mass-produced satellites equipped with Hall-effect thrusters for manoeuvring and optical inter-satellite laser links for efficient data routing, allowing them to communicate with each other and form a mesh network in space. Users on the ground install a compact, phased-array antenna terminal—often called a “dish”—which automatically aligns itself to track and connect with passing satellites overhead using Ku- and Ka-band frequencies, eliminating the need for manual pointing. Once connected, the terminal receives and transmits data signals to the satellites, which then relay the information either directly to other satellites or to ground stations linked to the global internet backbone, enabling low-latency performance of 25 to 35 milliseconds and download speeds ranging from 50 to 500 Mbps or more, depending on the service tier and location.

The mirror concept

Where mobile internet from your phone travels by signal to the local mast, which is connected to the internet network, Starlink bounces off the satellites and back down to a base station on the ground. These base stations are connected to the existing broadband network, but have very fast connections, in order to deal with all the data coming through from users. Having the satellite means only a few base stations are needed, rather than thousands of masts.

Starlink base station

The largest Stralink base station at Chalfont Grove

England’s three base stations

The data route:

  1. Data (the request) goes from your computer to your Starlink receiver to the satellite.
  2. The satellite forwards the data to the base station, which in turn forwards it to the internet.
  3. The data (response) returns to the base station and is forwarded to the satellite.
  4. Finally, the satellite forwards the data to our receiver and thus our computer or device.

The satellites themselves?

Smaller than traditional communications satellites, and much lower in orbit compared to the usual communication satellite. This is how the latency, which is the delay between the data leaving your dish and reaching the satellite and vice versa. Because the Starlink satellites are closer to Earth, the data transfers are faster, but the satellite can only cover a smaller area, so many more are needed for full coverage.

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The satellite is a bridge to a ground station, perhaps a few hundred miles away.

To summarise: The average home computer user doesn’t need a VPN. Provided they have at least some basic anti-virus or internet security software, there is little need for a VPN. Especially at a time when every penny counts.

Maidstone Technology

Maidstone Technology is a Stralink installer for Kent. For a quote for a Starlink installation, please contact us.

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