A internet beta testing kit received from SpaceX into the back of the EV and drove up into the woods to test coverage. While SpaceX's satellite constellation is still in early beta testing, the potential to provide every square foot of the planet with internet coverage appears to not only be plausible, but inevitable.
SpaceX began the development and construction of its Starlink system in 2015. The goal of this immense project is to provide global high-speed internet access through a mega-constellation of small satellites operating in low Earth orbit (LEO). For the last few months, SpaceX has been building and launching more Starlink satellites, while privately beta testing the technology with its employees. Earlier this month, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk announced public beta testing would be rolling out and have since begun delivery. Just this week, Musk revealed that thousands more beta invites would be sent out this week.
According to a Reddit post by the Tesla EV and was able to deliver speeds of more than 120 megabits per second (Mbps). The Redditor reported that even 15 miles from any internet service, the Starlink internet connection worked like a charm, after performing a video call as well several other tests.
Far From A Full Constellation, But Already A Star
The only real issue the Redditor faced while testing Starlink's signal was when the tried to connect while under a canopy of trees, which is not so surprising. If anyone has every subscribed to satellite television they're likely familiar with a weak signal due to inclement weather or obstructed views of the sky. Like any satellite communication technology, Starlink works much better when it has a clear view of the sky. While this is still very much a beta, and the Starlink constellation itself is still over 11,000 satellites short of its eventual goal, the initial results are promising.
Internet speeds are one thing, but what is more important to note from these tests in Idaho is the fact that someone was able to receive high-speed internet in the middle of an area where virtually no technology exists. SpaceX has often stated that the goal of the Starlink system is to provide internet to less inhabited areas, such as rural communities that are often out of the reach of land-based internet service providers (ISPs). These beta tests show early promise for the prospect of a global internet network. Furthermore, with thousands more beta kits rolling out in North America in the coming weeks, more testers will be able to see how their speeds stack up wherever they are located, Tesla or otherwise.
Source: wandering-coder/Reddit, Teslarati