Starlink Coming to Germany, New Zealand and expanding in the UK!

  There was an announcement on Reddit today (posted by DishyMcFlatFace) that Starlink is expanding their rural broadband service to Germany, New Zealand and expanding in the UK.

Keep in mind it would be the same latitudes that they have been concentrating their satellites on this whole time.  We had been told that SpaceX needed permission from the countries of course, and then they would place gateways (ground stations) to serve new Beta customers.

This announcement came just in time for their launch that is scheduled tonight, and with that Starlink launch?  Comes 60 more Starlink Satellites.  I plan on watching, because no doubt they will mention this expansion of the Better Than Nothing Beta program!  It must be exciting for those in that area of the world!

You can check your location to see if it is in your area, or soon (hopefully like mine) will be.  At www.starlink.com

COME ON ELON!  Canton is WAITING for YOU!  Woo hoo!

Starlink Naysayers

 I have to say I am a bit perplexed about the amount of naysayers out there when it comes to Starlink.  One of my concerns is I have found at least 3 organizations that have commented negatively, and their organizations purposes for being is rural broadband.  They should be excited about another option available, but they aren't.  

We have to remember this program is in the beta stage, and Starlink has been rather closed lipped about how it will progress.  Their goals in mind?  We have heard them speak about.  

Below is an example email potential participates of the "Better than Nothing Beta' program are sent:

The Title they refer to in the first sentence is "Better Than Nothing Beta".

Here is the latest article, "Mainers using Elon Musk’s satellite internet say it’s no silver bullet for rural access"

The title alone makes you scratch your head.  They do know what a beta program is right?

There is a potential negative side effect to Starlink as the state tries to bridge the digital divide, Schaffer said. In a poorer area, for example, if people who can afford the service sign up, other companies might find it difficult to expand because there won’t be enough demand for their service.

“Starlink has the potential to make it much harder to build out networks,” she said. “It’s a huge equity question of how to bring the networks to people who can’t afford service but still need connections.  -Peggy Schaffer, executive director of the ConnectME Authority”

Schaffer works for an organization that allegedly helps to find ways of to bring broadband to rural areas.  She has Satellite service at her second home, and so she should know the offerings now aren't all that affordable.  If she was satisfied with the service why did she try out Starlink?  There would be no reason too.

Also, 'other companies' have been getting government grants to expand rural broadband for years now.  If they had to be accountable for where those funds went to?  We might have seen some groundwork made in this area, but they don't have to show how they used the money.  Besides some fixed wireless in certain areas?  There has not been much headway.  

Maybe she never realized that 'other companies' haven't come to rural areas already because demand or ROI (Return on investment) isn't what they want now. Again we would have seen more expansion with the use of government grants if they were true to the money were they given already.  The author of the article more than Ms. Schaffer is the bigger naysayer, but her comments about poorer areas?  Love to see her example of affordable for them now.

The Fiber Association and The Rural Broadband Association are also two organizations that are to promote rural broadband expansion, and yet have complied a 'never going to work' powerpoint report.  They are speculating on their report - as they admit in so many words - but say so in a very authoritative way.  Their point is the system will get to congested to fulfill the expectations that Starlink has set for themselves.  The second point seems to be they don't like the fact they were granted government program money to help the expansion.  It would fit better if they (Fiber Association/The Rural Broadband Association) pointed to the 640K customers that they lined up with high speed internet, but they don't mention it.  I doubt they have them...what about you?  Do you think they have them?

I can understand the Satellite companies NOT being all that thrilled with Starlink coming online, but I don't understand the motives of organizations committed to wanting better and reliable broadband for its core purpose for being at their jobs.  The rural areas where the digital divide is.

Hello?!  What have you done for us lately?

Thank you Starlink - a thoughtful note and a realization

 

Thank you Starlink!  has 799 upvotes and counting on Reddit.

Starlink crew-- I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. On Dec. 7th my 80 year old mom was diagnosed with Covid and sent to the ER. She has languished in the hospital since that time, in isolation, with family not allowed to visit due to Covid restrictions. Because I live in a rural area with no internet other than a bad cell phone connection, getting in touch with her was near impossible. I just wanted to talk to my mom as much as I could, but because of the connection, it wasn't happening without a 30 mile trip to the nearest town. During severe weather that really was impossible because the roads would be closed and impassible and that happens often here. She would call me and beg me to stay on the phone with her, because she was alone and scared. The call would drop and I couldn't get her back on the line. It was heartbreaking. She went downhill in the last week and we were tearfully saying our goodbyes under these circumstances. Enter Starlink! As soon as I set up my beta kit -- BOOM -- I had download speeds of 150mg! I facetimed my mom right away. I stayed on the phone with her ALL DAY. She begged me not to leave her alone again and I was able to say OF COURSE I'll stay here with you! And now, as I sit here with my mom on the line again, all I can say to you is thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Thank you so much. What gift you have given my family. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

I have to say I'm glad this family got the Better than Nothing Beta offer before myself.  I'm still waiting, but I can only imagine the relief for this family.  It shows how even rural broadband is so important to people's lives.

During the height of the Pandemic we had local trailer type (with WIFI connection) of thing that families could drive up to so their kids could attend school.  Ken recently got his first covid vaccine, and I saw the network name and password in the window of one location.  Once things started to open up?  Our schools did to, and no doubt because not everyone can work from home - or drive kids up to the local trailer for online schooling.  Yes, the virus is just as dangerous here as anywhere else.  Yet, we don't have the luxury of  'we don't want to die' signs from teachers here.  That's another reality for lack of broadband.  I'm sure many wish it were different, but it isn't.

Starlink Satellite Map

 

Check out the Live Starlink Satellite Map!  

What I like about this map is you can place in your coordinates, and ask the site to remember you.  Each time you visit the site you can watch where the Starlink Satellites are around you.

The first thing you want to do if you are like me, and had NO idea what your coordinates were in the first place?  Start with your location on google maps.

I use google maps in my car for directions from time to time, and so I have my home already noted on the maps application.

Since I use the same sign in for my phone and desktop computer I basically went to the maps app in the suites available to you, and found my home location that I had set.

As you can see on the screen I have the blue home button on the map.  Click on it - right click - and your coordinates should come up like mine did in this picture.  I did black out part of my coordinates, and everyplace will have a unique set of numbers for where you are located.  

What I did was write them down, and don't neglect the negative side in the coordinates.

Now, On the Starlink Satellite Map website look towards the top of the screen, and you will see a couple of options in a menu.

I circled in red where you click on this website to set your coordinates (location).

I marked in red the two areas in which you place your coordinates above.  Remember not to forget to enter the negative (-) symbol where needed.  Click save, and your done.  You can play with the other options of course, but I don't.  I just want to see the Starlink Satellites that are around my location.

Once you hit save my screen fluttered for a moment, and then zoomed in on my area.  

The green dot is my location, and it shows (if I had SpaceX Starlink Broadband) what Satellites I might be connecting with as they fly around the globe.  If you watch them for a while?  I have noticed with my location I can have red lines on two Starlink Satellites before one moves out of range, and the second one takes over.

Towards the bottom of this website you will see the word 'key', and when you click on that?  It basically explains many of symbols, etc you see on the website.

Play with the Live Starlink Satellite Map for a while!  I'm hoping my dread when it comes to rural broadband finally comes to a happy ending soon once I get invited.

Starlink By SpaceX

 

The family is all a buzz over Starlink by SpaceX.  During the Pandemic lack of rural broadband is even more in your face than it was before.  You can't do online school for example if you have no broadband available.  Trying to work online?  You run into the same roadblock.

We currently have DSL that I had to fight tooth and nail to get, and the speed is about 3-5 megabits per second.  There are many times you buffer, and times you can't do much at all.  From what I have gathered it depends on the copper wire and the amount of users on at one time.  You never get the speed that they claim it can hit.  If you look at the fine print (tiny sentences on their offers) they always tell you the speeds aren't guaranteed.  

There are people in the area with Satellite broadband such as Viasat and HughesNet as well.  Their service never lives up to the commercial claims either.

Our area was told we were being offered AT&T Fixed Wireless for home internet.  No doubt it is better than DSL, but you have to be within distance to the tower for decent service.

Fiber is a pipe dream in rural America for the most part, because of costs.  There has been a company in the next county over that is to bring some fiber into our area, but it will mostly hit areas along the business district.

I have put our deposit down for my place in line to an offer in Starlink's Better than Nothing Beta Program.

What is Starlink?

Starlink is also a Satellite broadband service, but it differs from the current offerings available.  

Starlink is called a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations of many smaller Satellites.  Low earth Orbit Satellites travel about 550 km (340 mi) above the earth's atmosphere.  Distance is a huge factor here when it comes to Latency (time it takes to transfer data from source - in this case a Satellite/ground station -  to end user), and speed of your connection.  Currently Starlink has over 1,000 Satellites in space at this point.

The other Satellite companies named above are what called geostationary earth orbit (GEO), and they are about 22,000 miles from earth's atmosphere.  They also have 1-5 Satellites that serve their customer base.  Normally, you hear about their lack of bandwidth, latency, speed of connection as their major drawbacks.  Most consider it the broadband of last resort.  In other words?  If nothing else is available.

Let's look at an advertisement for GEO Satellite service.

First thing you need to notice is the 'up to' speed on the top.  My DSL will claim the same thing, but it never gets UP TO that speed.  The unlimited data part is pretty much the same as the cell phone services.  They claim 'unlimited' but after you reach maybe 20 GB on your phone in most cases?  Your speed is throttled.  It's the same with the above service.  Then you have your real monthly price in the fine print after x amount of time, and they want a 2 year commitment. On top of that there is the lease fee for their equipment, and also an installation charge.

If you have a family of 4?  100 GB is going to go fast, and $169.99 (Unlimited Gold) is spent.  That's without taxes, lease fees, etc.  It outrageous! Netflix is going to have to travel over 22,000 miles to load, and so YES you are going to have to wait on it (Latency).  If you have a gamer in your home?  They won't be happy either due to Latency, and speeds.  Our DSL offers 150 GB, and then you pay extra for each 50 GB over the 150 GB (comes in lots of 50) after that.  We always go over with our amount of users.

Better Than Nothing Beta?

Starlink is offering by invitation what it calls its 'Better Then Nothing Beta' program.  Users are paying to use the service, and it is promised that will get better as time goes on.  Their data basically helps to get the bugs out of the service before it is open to a bigger customer base.  Elon Musk stresses that this is not competition for other telecoms (high speed broadband services), but its target audience is mostly rural and out of reach customers that need broadband.  It started in the upper part of the United States, and lower parts of Canada.  It has moved on to the UK, and will continue to expand as more Satellites are sent up.  

The email you get explains that the service is 'better than nothing' and speeds can average 50 to 150, and latency (20 to 40 milliseconds) as you can imagine is much lower.  There will be times in which your broadband goes out for a short period of time until (as I understand it) another Satellite comes into range.  Your Data cap at this point is unlimited as well.  They do have software upgrades, and from what you read their customer service is very good.

The system is basically plug and play.  A box comes with what many call Dishy McFlatface, cables, router, and power cords, etc.  Most people on youtube show that it is set up very quick, and once you setup your account on their app?  You have your rural broadband that blows away the rural competition.  From what I have read so far?  They have obstructions check on their app that you use to make sure the placement of your Dish is where it needs to be.  So you must find a place with the least amount of obstructions as possible.

The cost of the service is billed at $99 per month, plus an initial payment of $499 for the mountable satellite dish and router that you'll need to install at home.  According to the FAQ's the equipment is now owned by you!  Keep in mind YES I'm sure there are taxes involved depending on your area, and their requirements.

Within the last month Starlink by SpaceX offered a place in line as new areas open up.  I signed our family up with my deposit of $99.00, and it seems to go by Latitude.  According to articles I have been reading the range is about 45 to 53 Latitude, and we are about 36.78.  Although, there is a Reddit group that asks its users as they get their kits (not deposit like mine) to report their latitude, country to keep track as best they can of where the beta kits are.  According the users on Reddit the Latitude is lower than 45 at this point (36.9 N as of March 2021).  At 36.78 here?  I'm chomping at the bit!

  

A batch of 60 Starlink test satellites stacked atop a Falcon 9 rocket, close to be put in orbit.

Rural high speed internet options

One circumstance that is going to be hard to deal with is lack of broadband, or weak broadband within the area.  Currently, the state is very behind in technology.  I think I read it was something like 44th out of 50 states.  This will harm the state more than help it in today's environment.

Broadband is basically internet service.  The role it places in our culture?   It should also be treated as a utility.

Currently, we have DSL at the property and I had to fight to get it.  AT&T wants to grandfather DSL, and then push people into their popular (and no doubt cost effective) service called Uverse.  The problem is they aren't willing to lay the cable - or in this case fiber optic cable - in order for homes to have their updated service.  Our subdivision has it wired, and they won't hook it up.  I'm guessing its not wired in the areas you have to drive through to get to our subdivision.  They don't give you reasons of course.  The operators just tell you that your location can't have it.

Once you grandfather a program the current customers can keep it, but they will not offer it to anyone else.  I'm assuming until the service completely breaks down current customers can keep it.  Once that is gone?  You are basically left with nothing.

You could get Satellite internet, but that basically deals with gigabytes like your cellular phone does.  It's basically a glorified hotpot, and those are expensive!  They also aren't as reliable as wired services for internet.  For example, if your dish tv goes out due to the weather?  You internet will too since it uses basically the same technology.  I have no doubt the weather also effects your speed.  A wired service - like your landline phone as opposed to your cellular phone - majority of time is much more effective, and weather isn't a factor.  Speeds are better as well.

Copper Wire Services

DSL is basically old technology.  It is run through landline phone wires.  Those are called Copper wires.  Many companies like AT&T are getting away from copper wire, and they claim its due to maintenance and servicing of these wires.  What is sad to me is in time the traditional home/business phone will be part of our history.

When you are speaking of rural areas like ours?  Landlines could be your only source to call for help.  Cell phone service is still pretty weak when it comes to many rural areas.  In our area they are petitioning AT&T to place another cell phone tower in the area, because we a tragedy in the area due to lack of service.  The thought of removing copper wire?  It would be irresponsible for them to do that.

KentuckyWired

The state of Kentucky has a program that they are running fiber optic from one side of the state to the other.  The program is called, Kentuckywired.  It is the first state in the Union to even attempt this type of project, and if it goes as planned?  It will be a huge boost to the state overall.

Basically this program is laying down fiber optic cable for use in your governmental buildings, but they are also including extra fiber optic cables in which internet providers (like AT&T) can tap into so they can offer high speed broadband to their customers.

This is a HUGE project, and will take a while.  They have started already in the Eastern part of the state.  They will slowly move towards the western end of the state.

The fiber optic cable will be an open access network.  What that means is your internet provider can TAP into this fiber optic cable that the state laid down, and since they don't have as much to laid down themselves?  Your chances of getting broadband go UP substantially.

Many people get confused, and think the state is getting into the broadband business.  That's not the case!  They are offering broadband businesses the option to use their fiber optic cable to expand services to their customers.  Yes, no doubt your internet provider will RENT this from the state.  It's only fair!

This program is very exciting, and I'm not sure people realize how much this could impact their communities!  In the past you might have been told internet will never reach you, and those circumstances may have changed for them.

Circumstances in which your medical records are emailed the hospital you are in en route to in the ambulance?  The records WILL even get there before YOU do!  Not so much now!

Electrical Cooperatives Doing Broadband

Our local electric company is called Pennyrile Electric.  They had a annual meeting this summer at a local fairground, and we attended since we were in town.  I spoke to the CEO of the cooperative, because I had read in many rural areas their cooperatives WERE the broadband provider.  They basically added fiber optic cable to their lines.  It sounds like Pennyrile have already started to study this, and honestly?  I would rather give my business to them then a large company like AT&T.

There are also rural communities in which their electrical cooperatives also added cable tv to their services.  What is nice about that is it gives you more than one option for services.  When you have more services available?  It creates competition that might help everyone's bottom line.

With the case of Kentucky Wired?  Pennyrile could tap into the fiber optic that the state lays down, and then it would cost them less to bring their own fiber optic to their electric customers.  Their electricity would be more reliable as well, because they would be able to run electric service though the wires as well.

Broadband Grants from the Government for Rural Broadband

The Federal government issues RUS grants and other programs.  Electric Cooperatives have been petitioning the federal government to concentrate MORE on technology in rural areas.  They are being left behind!

Companies like AT&T also can apply for these grants, but honestly I don't see HOW they are expanding anything of substance within our area.  I'm sure more populated areas of the county are offered their services like Uverse, but these grants are geared towards areas like ours being offered the same.  It helps with the costs to place the infrastructure in for the more rural customers, and shouldn't be used for places they were planning on wiring anyway.  That was the purpose of the grants themselves afterall.

Rural high speed internet options?   It might not be a pipe dream after all! HORRAY!!

Bridges on Land Between The Lakes

When you travel to the Land Between the Lakes area you will encounter two bridges.  One Bridge goes over Kentucky Lake (Eggner Ferry Bridge), and the other goes over Lake Barkley (Henry R. Lawrence Memorial Bridge).  Highways 68-80 is what you travel on to get from Aurora (Kentucky Lake) to Canton (Lake Barkley).  

EGGNER’S FERRY BRIDGE is located on the Kentucky Lake side.  

The original Eggner’s Ferry bridge was built in 1932, and it was two lanes.  From what I understand it was originally build for the Tennessee River, but later in 1943 they had to make the bridge HIGHER to form Kentucky Lake itself.  Kentucky Dam feeds this lake, and from we were told Kentucky Lake is deeper than Lake Barkley.

Both bridges were built before the lakes were impounded.  They do show their age!  As of today (4/17) the Kentucky Lake side has been rebuilt, and is a much less scary experience going over.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans were to begin work to widen 68-80 through the park to four lanes beginning in 2004; however, these plans have met with opposition from groups that the road would damage the environment and bring development to LBL (Land Between The Lakes).

The construction was slowed down until a ship hit Eggner Ferry side, and it seems to have brought the construction date forward!  You don’t feel like you are going fall through the bridge into the Lake any longer on the Eggner Ferry Side!

The above is a video on the history of the bridge, and it shows a time lapse video on the new one being built.  

When Eggner Ferry Bridge was complete enough to travel on they did a little demolition.   Yes, they BLEW it UP!  When the Henry R. Lawrence Memorial Bridge time comes?  You know I will make the trip, and watch that bridge get BLOWN to pieces!!

CREDIT KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET

In the above photo you will see the older Eggner Ferry Bridge on the left hand side, and see the comparison during construction for the newer one.  HUGE difference…HUGE!!

Construction on Henry R. Lawrence 6/16

The above video is the Eggner Ferry Bridge demolition.  It's rather cool to watch if you are into that kind of thing...which I am!!

They are currently working on the Henry R. Lawrence Memorial Bridge (built 1932) on the other side to look just like its counterpart.  That goes over Lake Barkley right into Canton, and it is STILL scary!  

One trip we brought a U-Haul with some items we were going to store in our barn.  My Husband's twin brother was driving it down, and a Semi was coming from the other direction at the same time.  Mike had to get UP on the crumbling cement curb in order to pass without getting hit.

Just to give you an idea of the drive?  I found a video on youtube of a couple going over the bridge in an RV.

Keep in mind RV's can be loud when driving, and hit bumps in the road.  It's the nature of the beast.  Yet, if you look at the road you can see the gaps in the cement in which you can literally see the water.  Towards the end the video you can hear the wife talk about how close he had to get to the side of the bridge so you don't NAIL oncoming traffic!

All I can say is this is a HUGE difference compared to when we first started coming down to visit Cadiz Kentucky.  The four lanes are needed, and those bridges?  The needed an overhaul before I was born I would bet!  

Eggner Ferry Bridge During Construction.

I think one of the funniest things I have seen during construction of the Henry R. Lawrence Memorial Bridge was fishing boats PUSHING the barges into place to start construction for the day.  Yes, I'm talking about bass boats.  You would think they would use a small tug boat or something, but they didn't.