starlink beta testing (Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Clark Fork: home, price, moving)

[Romefxr]

Has anyone started to beta test in North Idaho with Starlink? I hear it is up here and beta testing.
Please share how it works if you are a beta tester. I am hoping it is ready soon. Our internet is so bad at our place in Sagle along with our cell service.

[Boone1791]

Originally Posted by Romefxr

Has anyone started to beta test in North Idaho with Starlink? I hear it is up here and beta testing.
Please share how it works if you are a beta tester.....

I was unaware of Starlink, but it sounds very hopeful for rural-access high-speed internet. HOWEVER, you are unlikely to hear anything from the beta testers. According to the terms of the beta testers' agreement:

"The Starlink Services and details like internet speeds, uptime, coverage, and other performance specifications are confidential and proprietary to SpaceX. You may NOT discuss your participation in the Beta Program online or with those outside of your household, unless they are SpaceX employees. You must not share anything on social media about the Starlink Services or the Beta Program. This applies not only to public forums, but also to private accounts and restricted groups. Do not provide access or information about Starlink Services to the media or allow third-parties to take pictures of any part of the Starlink Kit."

I guess we'll just have to wait.....

[Shaner]

I have been on the list for a while but have not been notified

[Boone1791]

I guess the signal receiver is the tricky part. Since the satellites are in much lower orbits than geosynchronous orbits, they will be moving across the sky, so the receiver will have to automatically track the position of the satellite. Doable, but tricky, hence the beta test.....


But since the satellites are so much closer than geosynchronous (which Dish uses), you get a much higher bandwidth.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

I'm really hoping for good news. For me it would mean the difference between complete retirement in a few years and partial retirement with a work-from-home option, maybe already from next year.

[Mister Torgue]

Originally Posted by Clark Fork Fantast

I'm really hoping for good news. For me it would mean the difference between complete retirement in a few years and partial retirement with a work-from-home option, maybe already from next year.

You and me both. I’m really excited at this prospect of Starlink. I’m watching it intently.

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by Shaner

I have been on the list for a while but have not been notified

Us too. It may be a game changer just like Tesla was.

[nm9stheham]

Originally Posted by Boone1791

I guess the signal receiver is the tricky part. Since the satellites are in much lower orbits than geosynchronous orbits, they will be moving across the sky, so the receiver will have to automatically track the position of the satellite. Doable, but tricky, hence the beta test.....

But since the satellites are so much closer than geosynchronous (which Dish uses), you get a much higher bandwidth.

FWIW.... The increases in speed are due to:
- More frequency bands being used
- More satellites
- More efficient use of the capacity by creating more paths from the ground terminal gateways to each user
- How is the lower orbit link advantage is used? It could be 'spent' for a faster data technology, or for a cheaper user terminal, or a combination of both.

The receivers, transmitter, and the ground station and user antennas per se look to be existing technology. The on-line info does not make sense to me.... motorized tracking antennas have been mentioned, but for a consumer priced device, that would not seem to be very durable or reliable. (But hey, those folks know a lot about electric motors!)

What seems new is the interlinking of satellites. What does that linking do? Just control or actual user data?? IDK

[Boone1791]

Originally Posted by Boone1791

....you are unlikely to hear anything from the beta testers...

Well, that's no longer the case! Check out this ARS Technica site with the article "SpaceX Starlink users provide first impressions and unboxing pictures."

"[The beta tester] told Ars that he uses Starlink at home in North Idaho and that he conducted his test at the Hayden Creek Shooting Range in the Idaho panhandle's Coeur d'Alene National Forest."

[Mister Torgue]

This is exciting. I went through the Reddit thread and those speeds are impressive. Now I just hope the ~17Gbps each satellite is rated for can be enough if millions of users are all sharing them. I will DEFINITELY be getting this service when we relocate to NID when it’s available publicly.