As Starlink download and upload speeds improved around the world, along with improved customer satisfaction, Starlink also receives a warning from Australia’s Communications and Media Authority that it breached consumer advertising rules, and by complying, has avoided a $250,000 fine.
Satellite providers are playing no small part in the rapid expansion of global connectivity. Some experts predict there will be 58,000 satellites orbiting the earth by 2030 — a nearly 725% increase from 2023. Results from Internet speed test company Ookla shows users are very satisfied with Starlink globally, and that upload and download speeds continue improving around the world, except in Pacific Island Tonga where they’ve slowed a little.
Starlink dish atop a home’s roof
Musk has started launching his Version 2 Starlink satellites, but he’s not the only one. Amazon will be launching its own prototype satellites later this month, and plans to offer Internet service by 2025, with half of its 3,236 LEO satellite constellation to be in space by 2026.
Meanwile, China plans provide internet connectivity to over 362 million people, as 1 in 4 Chinese people are in rural and regional areas. Ookla notes that in order to overcome that connectivity gap, China is looking to the sky to create its own satellite constellation with potentially over 12,000 satellites. China’s biggest gap seems to be with recreating the success of SpaceX’s reusable rockets — however, initial tests are far underway and a host of reusable rockets are slated for test launches in 2024.
This is one reason why research firm Juniper has found that operators will generate US $17 billion of additional revenue from 3GPP (Third-generation Partnership Project)‑compliant 5G satellite networks over the next seven years to 2030, shrinking the tyranny of distance ever further and making effortless communications even more ubiquitous from virtually anywhere on the planet.
So, what about ACMA’s warning to Starlink in Australia?
Here’s their news release:
Starlink breaches consumer advertising rules
The ACMA has directed Starlink Internet Services Pte Ltd to comply with the Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code after the company did not specify the end date of a ‘limited time offer’ advertised on its website.
Under the TCP Code, if a special promotion is advertised as being available for a limited time only, telcos must be transparent about the date the promotion will end.
Following a consumer complaint, the ACMA undertook an investigation into the promotion available on Starlink’s website between 1 June and 26 July 2023. The investigation found that the promotion, which offered discounted hardware and high-speed internet plans, did not include an end date as required.
When advertising special promotions, telcos must include information about important limitations to allow consumers to make informed choices.
In late July 2023, Starlink amended the promotion on its website to include an end date. The special promotion has since ended.
Telcos may face penalties of up to $250,000 for breaching ACMA directions to comply with the TCP Code.
