SpaceX’s satellite internet network, Starlink, may deliver broadband to people’s homes their cars, according to CEO Elon Musk.
On Tuesday, Twitter user Anton Kanerva asked Musk whether Starlink’s satellite dishes will work over “high-speed moving objects like trains.” He added: “It would be incredible if trains moving through the middle of nowhere finally could have stable high-speed internet connections!”
In response, Musk tweeted back: “Yes. Everything is slow to a phased array antenna.”
The comment references how Starlink operates over hundreds of satellites orbiting above the Earth at around 350 miles. At this range, even a fast moving train would appear relatively slow to a Starlink satellite as it beams the internet data toward Earth.
Musk’s comment raises the prospect users can stay connected to SpaceX’s high-speed internet network no matter where they are—even if they're in a car—so long as their Starlink satellite dish remains with them. The dish will also need power, and a clear view of the sky. But the technology could be a gamechanger for people living in remote areas, who often lack access to stable high-speed internet.
Starlink can currently deliver 100Mbps download speeds with a latency of less than 30 milliseconds. But there are still many unknowns about the satellite internet service, such as how much it’ll cost and how it’ll fare in rainy and snowy weather conditions.
Musk has said public beta trials for Starlink will start soon for residents in the Northern US and possibly southern Canada. Interested users can go to the Starlink website to sign up for email updates on service availability.