Phased array revolution

After failure of LEO constellation plans for satellite based Internet connectivity (Teledesic, Globalstar, Iridium), high throughput satellites were the answer provided by GEO satellite operators. With aggressive frequency reuse, these satellites were able to push boundaries of available spectrum. In just 17 years, these engineering marvels pushed capacity from 45Gbps (IPSTAR launched in 2005) to 1Tbps (expected from upcoming Viasat-3 and SES mPOWER satellites). That twenty-fold increase in available bandwidth capacity still was not providing user experience (latency and available bandwidth) comparable to terrestrial networks.

Starlink seems to finally break this monopoly of GEO satellites. Using combination of booster reusability (low cost launch), designing Starlink satellites to utilize F9 mass and fairing volume capacity SpaceX seems to be close to (finally) providing universal satellite based Internet connectivity. And all that at competitive prices. Provided pricing seems very aggressive, undercutting all satellite broadband prices while providing higher throughput and order or magnitude better latency. 

But all of that would not be enough without another key piece of technology - phased array antenna, in the form of all electronic steerable, solid state flat antenna. Such antennas have been used for a long time, and have been seen as a key technology required for adoption of any LEO constellation. But just a few months ago, one of technology leaders for flat satellite antennas, announced pricing for their GEO capable flat antenna terminal u8 for just $999 per month. But now, SpaceX has given price for their terminal (UFO on a stick) of just $499. Not per month. Just one time payment. Of course, it will work just with Starlink. And it this is probably subsidized price. But it it not 90% subsidy. Maybe 50% subsidy. 

This is a huge price reduction, which should prove that flat phased array antennas can be built in the price range suitable for consumer devices. Replacing omnidirectional antennas with phased arrays enables much lower power consumption and/or higher throughput. Plus it enables frequency reuse on much higher scale than ever before. How long it will take to scale down such antennas for mobile devices?  Or even for next generation Wi-FI? Starlink terminals will pave the way for dynamically steered directed links between networked devices. The days of aiming terrestrial TV antennas, satellite dishes and microwave links might soon become a rare sight. But the phased array is the key technology for 5G mobile networks which would provide mobile operators the same frequency reuse capability. And Starlink terminal is the first consumer device which really shows the way to the future of high bandwidth connectivity anywhere.