Starlink IPO

[Rarity]

I think a few physics or satcom classes might be in order. Starlink will be great for a certain, underserved segment of the population, but it will never have the same capacity or performance as modern (well run) landline or cellular infrastructures where they are available. Musk is not disputing this. He is far too smart on this subject.

There were a few overlapping edits on these posts, so my response was to a different post than now exists.

Just to be clear as to how I am approaching the math on this. Musk's proposal now appears to be up to 42,000 satellites and implying a cost on the order of $100,000 or less apiece built and in orbit.

 

[dazedNconfuzed]

Pet theory (with zero proof): Tesla does/will surreptitiously include Starlink antennas in Teslas and/or Solar Roofs, making for an instant-on viable ISP when Starlink is ready. Would solve off-network communication issues for vehicles, instant (free?) data service for Tesla customers.

 

[SlyWombat]

Pet theory (with zero proof): Tesla does/will surreptitiously include Starlink antennas in Teslas and/or Solar Roofs, making for an instant-on viable ISP when Starlink is ready. Would solve off-network communication issues for vehicles, instant (free?) data service for Tesla customers.

Antenna's are too big right now, they are pizza box size, plus not for use in urban areas.

 

[dazedNconfuzed]

Elon describes "pie plate on a stick". That's not "too big"; not sure how you'd know otherwise.

Urban areas have cellular support. Question/theory regards no-cellular areas; my interest stems from being off-grid for a couple weeks last summer.

 

[MP3Mike]

Pet theory (with zero proof): Tesla does/will surreptitiously include Starlink antennas in Teslas and/or Solar Roofs, making for an instant-on viable ISP when Starlink is ready. Would solve off-network communication issues for vehicles, instant (free?) data service for Tesla customers.

Elon describes "pie plate on a stick". That's not "too big"; not sure how you'd know otherwise.

Because nobody is going to notice a "pie plate on a stick" on their car/roof.

 

[bxr140]

First gen Starlink terminals are going to be far too big and expensive to even offer as an option on the Tesla production line. There's a long list of options in the Tesla graveyard that have befallen that fate...

There's also very little value in trying to provide vehicle connectivity in remote areas, since that would account for an infinitesimal amount of fleet wide network traffic (or whatever metric you want to use).

They're also two completely different companies, one of them public and one of them (as evidence by this thread) potentially public. Public companies don't give handouts to other companies, so any kind of consideration to this topic needs to include the beancounters.

The interesting twist will be once Starlink terminals (and associated production costs) are small and cheap enough to offset whatever Tesla is paying ATT(?) to use their terrestrial network. I have to imagine the total amount of data rolling through Teslas is pretty manageable, and Starlink having a major if not anchor tennant would be a Mutual Good Thing.

Basically, this is kinda like the "should Teslas come with solar panels on the roof?" conversation. Regardless how cool some think that would be the answer is unequivocally "no" right now, with a "maybe" maybe somewhere in the future.

 

[goinfraftw]

Q - With the latest launch, is this at a number that would make Starlink operational to a userbase outside of SpaceX? If not, what number of satellites would that be?

 

[mongo]

Q - With the latest launch, is this at a number that would make Starlink operational to a userbase outside of SpaceX? If not, what number of satellites would that be?

It is almost enough for some regions:

Musk said Starlink will have continual coverage of limited geographies at around 400 satellites, or seven launches including tomorrow’s mission. Mark Juncosa, SpaceX’s vice president of vehicle engineering, said 12 Starlink launches would ensure coverage of the United States. After 24 launches, Starlink would cover most of the world’s population, and 30 launches would be sufficient to cover the planet, Juncosa said.

From Musk says Starlink “economically viable” with around 1,000 satellites - SpaceNews.com

 

[bkp_duke]

Correct me if I wrong, but isn't the hold up soon to be the receivers, and not the satellites in orbit?

 

[Cosmacelf]

Correct me if I wrong, but isn't the hold up soon to be the receivers, and not the satellites in orbit?

Do we know? Not much has been said about the receivers and their manufacturing ramp.

 

[sparcs]

OneWeb collapses after SoftBank funding talks fall through

OneWeb, the satellite internet start-up, is preparing for bankruptcy and to lay off most of its staff, after failing to secure new funding from investors including its biggest backer SoftBank, according to people familiar with the situation. The company could file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US as soon as Friday, according to people involved in the preparations, putting most of its more than 500 employees at risk of losing their jobs.

SoftBank is letting internet satellite company OneWeb file for bankruptcy, a sign Masayoshi Son has learned lessons from WeWork

• Satellite broadband provider OneWeb plans to file for bankruptcy on Friday. OneWeb had raised $3.4 billion in capital, with SoftBank as its largest shareholder.
• SoftBank held recent discussions to bail out OneWeb but ultimately decided it couldn’t afford to spend billions more as it looks to shore up its balance sheet.

Gywnne Shotwell was right:

SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell knocked OneWeb in candid comments last October, made to a crowd of investors at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. She claimed Starlink was well ahead in the new internet space race, saying “we have far more capacity per satellite than our competitors.”

“Our competitors are largely these new entrants to the market. OneWeb? We are 17 times better per bit,” Shotwell said.
The SpaceX leader didn’t stop at a comparison, giving the opera house full of investors an ominous warning about backing OneWeb. “If you’re thinking about investing in OneWeb, I would recommend strongly against it. They fooled some people who are going to be pretty disappointed in the near term,” Shotwell said.

 

[Cosmacelf]

Gywnne Shotwell was right:

I can't recall her ever being wrong. Unlike Elon, she doesn't usually extend her public comments too far ahead. She's usually very conservative in what she says. For her to dump on OneWeb like that meant it was pretty damn bad.

 

[willow_hiller]

Elon considers eventual IPO for Starlink, but only once growth is stable. Promises to give small retail investors priority: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1310672832783884290

 

[LN1_Casey]

Elon considers eventual IPO for Starlink, but only once growth is stable. Promises to give small retail investors priority: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1310672832783884290

I am quite excited. Can start saving up for a big initial purchase. Well, big for me anyway.

 

[LN1_Casey]

Actually, does anyone have knowledge of how to create like a notification as to when the Starlink IPOs? I know that we don't yet have a date, but IDK, maybe a macro to scan headlines or a an alert from a brokerage?

 

[willow_hiller]

maybe a macro to scan

Google Alerts is pretty good at this already. You can get a daily email for new results for a search term.

 

[JRP3]

I'm quite sure we'll all know about it well in advance. It's also not happening for years.

 

[bkp_duke]

Washington emergency responders first to use SpaceX's Starlink internet in the field: 'It's amazing'

 

[Boomer19]

Washington emergency responders first to use SpaceX's Starlink internet in the field: 'It's amazing'

pretty encouraging

 

[JRP3]

"Why Starlink Will be the BIGGEST Economic Boom In HISTORY"