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Comment by traceroute66 | Hacker News Reader

> the technological miracle and marvel that it is

Its not a miracle or a marvel, its basic physics.

LEO satellites will provide better internet experience than traditional satellites because they are closer to the earth.

Now, whether you want to blow smoke up Mr Musk's backside because he was the first to market with Starlink is a different subject. But it also not a subject worthy of the "miracle" or "marvel" title.

Personally I look forward to the day where there's a competitor product available, its merely a case of when not if.

Most Western countries are also busy improving fibre coverage to rural areas as old copper networks get decommissioned.

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> Most Western countries are also busy improving fibre coverage to rural areas as old copper networks get decommissioned.

Ahaha, tell that to the UK countryside. I'm the last person who wants to stuff more money up Elmo's arse, but I have no other choice. Cannot wait for a competitor to show up, but just look at the head-start that Starlink has.

Out of all countries the UK is pretty blessed regarding rural internet access. Definitely one of the best.... Just not specifically for you.

UK has about 70% fiber coverage. Sweden has 97% network gigabit-capable coverage and we have way lower population density.

Cool for them, probably at the number one spot. compare to Canada, Australia, New Zealand

True.

I'm in rural UK. Blessed with fast fibre. However if the power goes out, it's a proper blackout. I'm slowly sorting out the ups situation along with nut

When the power goes out or fibre dies I cannot rely on 4/5G as they die also, so starlink is the only option

For how long and how often does your power go out? Living just across the channel in NL, I don’t know that I’ve ever had my power go out one time in the last 3 years that I’ve lived here.

There was a 60-hour-long power outage in parts of Berlin, Germany, just 5 days ago. However, to be fair, it only affected like a quarter of the city, and it was caused by an intentional attack (arson) rather than a malfunction.

> tell that to the UK countryside

The UK countryside has already come a long way from where it was 5–10 years ago.

The problem with the UK is the regulatory/government environment.

The incumbent (BT) were given a large chunk of money 20 years ago for fibre deployment, but they were allowed to cherry-pick their deployments and so inevitably chose the low-hanging-fruit of the conurbations.

I would think 100% FTTC coverage will happen sooner than you think. FTTP clearly harder to forecast, most likely another 5–10 years, sadly.

You might see better 5G coverage sooner, of course.

> LEO satellites will provide better internet experience than traditional satellites because they are closer to the earth.

The physics is the easiest bit of what Starlink have done.

> The physics is the easiest bit of what Starlink have done.

In 2025 I don't think anybody should consider automated satellite tracking using an SDR software loop to be a miracle. ;)

Believe me, I admire your urbane "nothing's difficult" approach to analysing other people's achievements.

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