Individuals across the United States have been experiencing connectivity issues with SpaceX's Starlink internet service. As of 2:30 a.m. EDT on Friday morning, the outage-tracking website DownDetector had logged nearly 1,000 complaints, with most customers reporting 'network issues'. Some even reported what they called a 'total blackout'.
Run by Elon Musk's SpaceX, Starlink is a satellite internet system that aims to provide low-latency, high-speed broadband worldwide. It is mainly focused on reaching remote and underserved areas. The system consists of tens of thousands of small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), which connect to ground stations and user equipment to provide internet access.
Customers usually access through a dish antenna coupled with a modem, receiving speeds of typically 50 to 200 Mbps. These speeds vary based on weather, location, and network load.
Starlink has recorded rapid expansion since its inception in late 2020. It currently has customers in more than 100 nations spanning the U.S., Europe, South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
