Tristan web-access Starlink update
Starlight Update from Simon Butters
The new high speed internet service has been well received by the islanders and will make a real difference to education, the hospital, government departments and everyday life.
A highlight was being stopped in the street a few days ago by a somewhat emotional islander, who had been able to see her friends for the first time in years live on a video call.
Some additional information on Starlink:
What actual broadband speeds have been achieved?
The incoming internet link from the Starlink system achieves a bandwidth of up to 300Mbps, this can fluctuate depending on the network use at any given time. Initial testing has resulted in speeds up to 290Mbps.
Where exactly is the kit situated?
The Starlink system is situated on the roof of the IT Container (Communications HQ which was commissioned in May 2022) located next to the Administration building.
How robust is the kit given Tristan’s storm force winds?
The operational rating is 80 kph+ (50 mph+) with the survivable rating being much much higher. Over the past two weeks we have experienced some strong winds and the antenna has held up well. We also have the option of easily removing the antenna temporarily if a serious storm is forecast.
Is the regular phone service impacted?
The Starlink system is in addition to the existing VSAT service that provides 10Mbps via a geostationary satellite, all voice traffic still flows via this route as it did previously. We now have for the very first-time full resilience for telephony and internet services.
The only unexpected result of Starlink is that it takes the most efficient path for connectivity, for us that means our uplink is via Berlin. German spoken adverts are however a small price to pay for high-speed internet in the middle of the South Atlantic!
Simon has agreed to write a full article on Starlink and Tristan's communications for the next Tristan da Cunha Newsletter in February 2025.
Administrator Philip Kendall announced via X on 16th September 2024:
Starlink has arrived on Tristan and it's a real game changer! The world's most remote inhabited island now has internet speeds 30x faster than ever before! Thanks to everyone at @SpaceX and @FCDOGovUK for making this happen.
Report from Tristan Government UK Representative Chris Carnegy
Tristan da Cunha's new high-speed internet link faced an early test on 18th September 2024, when Chief Islander James Glass joined a high-level meeting of elected leaders from across the UK Overseas Territories - and it passed with flying colours.
The Starlink satellite service enabled James to connect via video call with leaders spread across the South Atlantic, Caribbean, Pacific and beyond. They met to agree priorities for the forthcoming Joint Ministerial Council, planned for November in London.
James raised key issues he aims to see included on the JMC agenda, including infrastructure, connectivity and healthcare.
Background to Starlink
The Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, commonly referred to as SpaceX, is an American spacecraft manufacturer, launch service provider and satellite communications company headquartered at the SpaceX Starbase in Texas. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space transportation costs by designing for reusability and ultimately developing a sustainable colony on Mars. The company currently produces and operates the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets along with the Dragon spacecraft.
The company offers internet service via its Starlink subsidiary, which became the first and largest-ever satellite constellation in January 2020 and, as of April 2024, comprised more than 6,000 small satellites in orbit.
Starlink's satellites use a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, video calls and more.
The new high-speed broadband internet will be a boon to Tristan da Cunha's ability to communicate with the outside world. It would give the island easy communication with the rest of the world and open the door to telecommuting jobs which are currently impossible. This also will allow for telemedicine, remote education, and a host of other things that all of us take for granted.
High-speed broadband internet signals are transmitted between satellites orbiting the Earth and small dish antennas installed at users' locations. Current satellite internet offers potential download speeds of up to 150 Mbps.
Satellite internet can provide connectivity to remote and rural areas where traditional terrestrial networks are unavailable or impractical, such as Tristan da Cunha. Geostationary (GEO) satellites are positioned about 22,300 miles above the equator and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations such as Starlink use thousands of satellites in lower orbits to reduce signal delays.