Some leaked speedtests from beta users of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite-broadband service “aren’t showing the gigabit speeds SpaceX teased,” writes Ars Technica, “but it’s early.” Long-time Slashdot reader AmiMoJo shared their report:
Beta users of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite-broadband service are getting download speeds ranging from 11Mbps to 60Mbps, according to tests conducted using Ookla’s speedtest.net tool. Speed tests showed upload speeds ranging from…
Tag: Broadband
Amazon To Invest $10 Billion In Space-Based Internet System
Yesterday, the FCC approved Amazon’s plans for its ambitious Kuiper constellation of 3,236 internet-beaming satellites. We have now learned that Amazon will invest $10 billion into the space-based internet delivery system. From a report: The U.S. tech giant said on Thursday it is moving forward with its Project Kuiper, one of several systems planned to bring internet to customers without land-based…
Comcast Lost 477,000 Cable Customers In Q2 2020
AT&T lost an astounding 900,000 cable subscribers in the first quarter of 2020, and now, Comcast has reported that it lost 477,000 pay-TV subscribers of its own for Q2. TechSpot reports: In Q1 2020, roughly 409,000 subscribers pulled the plug on their Comcast-provided cable subscriptions — this last quarter, the corporate giant managed to lose substantially more. If these losses continue…
Samsung: Expect 6G In 2028, Enabling Mobile Holograms and Digital Twins
An anonymous reader quotes a report from VentureBeat: [A]s 5G continues to roll out, 6G research continues, and today top mobile hardware developer Samsung is weighing in with predictions of what’s to come. Surprisingly, the South Korean company is preparing for early 6G to launch two years ahead of the commonly predicted 2030 timeframe, even though both the proposed use cases…
SpaceX delays launch of mini-satellites
SpaceX on Saturday delayed the launch of a rocket due to take 57 mini-satellites into space as part of plan to build an orbiting, global broadband internet system. Source: https://phys.org/news/2020-07-spacex-mini-satellites.html…
Broadband’s Underused Lifeline For Low-income Users
The federal government’s main program to keep lower income people connected is only serving one-fifth of the people it could help, even during a pandemic that has forced school and work online. From a report: Millions of Americans still lack access to the high-speed internet service that’s become vital as people remain stuck at home and reopenings reverse. The Lifeline program,…
Data Caps On AT&T, Comcast, T-Mobile Will Return June 30
An anonymous reader quotes a report from PCWorld: Major Internet service providers are scheduled to end their quarantine benefits soon, once again subjecting Americans to data caps and removing protections if they are unable to pay their bills. The FCC’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge is set to expire on June 30. Companies initially agreed to the pledge and rushed to add…
Charter Seeks FCC Permission to Impose Data Caps and Charge Fees to Video Services
“Charter Communications has asked federal regulators for permission to impose data caps on broadband users and to seek interconnection payments from large online video providers, starting next year,” writes Ars Technica. Long-time Slashdot reader Proudrooster shares their report:
Charter, unlike other ISPs, isn’t allowed to impose data caps and faces limits on charges for interconnection payments because of conditions applied to its…
‘We’ve Bought the Wrong Satellites’: UK Investment In OneWeb Baffles Experts
AmiMoJo writes: “The UK government’s plan to invest hundreds of millions of pounds in a satellite broadband company has been described as ‘nonsensical’ by experts, who say the company doesn’t even make the right type of satellite the country needs after Brexit,” reports The Guardian. “The investment in OneWeb is intended to mitigate against the UK losing access to the EU’s…
Democrats Pitch $100 Billion Broadband Plan, Repeal of State Limits On Muni Networks
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: House Democrats yesterday unveiled a $100 billion broadband plan that’s gaining quick support from consumer advocates. “The House has a universal fiber broadband plan we should get behind,” Electronic Frontier Foundation Senior Legislative Counsel Ernesto Falcon wrote in a blog post. House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC.) announced the Accessible, Affordable Internet…