Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, has just reached the milestone of 4 million subscribers across more than 100 countries. A dazzling growth for this internet service provider which launched its commercial offer less than 4 years ago. SpaceX intends to capitalize on this success to finance the development of its Starship mega-rocket.
Exponential growth
At a hearing before the Texas House of Representatives on Tuesday, Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX, proudly announced: “This week, we’re going to surpass 4 million customers for Starlink, which is pretty exciting.”
This major milestone shows the impressive acceleration of the service. Starlink reached one million subscribers at the end of 2022, then 2 million in September 2023 and 3 million last May. Gaining a million additional customers in just 4 months proves that there is a real demand for satellite internet.
An expanding constellation of satellites
To provide its service, SpaceX relies on a vast constellation of satellites in low orbit, which now numbers nearly 6,000 units. And the company doesn’t plan to stop there. Gwynne Shotwell indicated that SpaceX was targeting around 100 launches to deploy even more Starlink satellites.
Part of these new devices will be dedicated to Starlink Direct-to-Cell, a service developed in partnership with T-Mobile which will connect smartphones directly to the satellite network. Its launch is planned between the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025.
A promising market
According to Quilty Space, Starlink is expected to generate $6.6 billion in revenue this year, compared to just $1.4 billion two years ago. Enough to overshadow historic operators like Viasat and SES in the United States in particular.
Starlink is connecting more than 4M people with high-speed internet across 100+ countries, territories and many other markets.
Thank you to all of our customers around the world! 🛰️🌎❤️ → pic.twitter.com/sk7wucihxH
— Starlink (@Starlink) September 26, 2024
Starlink is attracting more and more major accounts, such as United Airlines and Air France, which will equip their entire fleet to offer free internet access to their passengers. Other constellations are in the works, such as Amazon’s Kuiper, but none have yet started commercial service.
Where traditional fixed or mobile networks cannot be deployed, for logistical or economic reasons, Starlink is the ideal solution. In planes, war zones, remote territories… satellites fill the gaps and Starlink is the pioneer company in this sector, notably thanks to SpaceX.
Funding SpaceX’s space dreams
For Elon Musk, the success of Starlink is crucial. The revenue generated should help finance the development of Starship, the reusable heavy launcher on which SpaceX is banking to explore space and perhaps one day colonize Mars.
Conversely, Starship will further accelerate the deployment of Starlink satellites once operational. A virtuous circle which must realize Elon Musk’s vision. A successful bet for the moment, to the great dismay of skeptics who doubted the viability of mega-constellations. Starlink is poised to revolutionize internet access and usher in a new golden age of satellite telecommunications.
