Starlink is always in the news, and many developments directly affect Starlink RV subscribers.
An example is the current “12 GHz band” dispute that RVtravel.com initially reported on concerning the rollout of 5G, the fifth-generation broadband cellular technology. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX parent Starlink, has this week escalated his response to DISH Network’s efforts and initiated actions with the Federal Communications Commission, challenging the use of the 12 GHz band by DISH Network Corporation, stating in FCC and court filings that such use would render Starlink “unusable.”
Further, Musk has called upon subscribers and other supporters to petition the FCC to block the DISH Network effort to secure licensing for the 12 GHz band, and more than 3,000 Starlink supports have joined the effort thus far.
Some broadband industry experts have suggested that the bureaucratic and legal bickering is being overplayed because the FCC licensing award for the full 12GHz band may be as many as ten years in the future.
However, SpaceX and Starlink do not seem willing to take any chances that their rapidly expanding orbital satellite network might be impaired by the DISH Network Corporation’s use of 12GHz for ground-based broadband use.
“If DISH’s lobbying efforts succeed, our study shows that Starlink customers will experience harmful interference more than 77% of the time and total outage of service 74% of the time, rendering Starlink unusable for most Americans,” SpaceX claimed.
Starlink posted a statement about the potential 12 GHz band interference on its website:
“Despite technical studies dating back as far as 2016 that refute the basis of their claims, DISH has attempted to mislead the FCC with faulty analysis in hopes of obscuring the truth. The 12 GHz band has become one of the most important and intensively used spectrum bands for Americans who depend on satellite services, including Starlink users who rely on 12 GHz to download content. However, DISH Network has been attempting to claim new rights to the 12 GHz band, implying that these new rights would have no impact on existing users.”
SpaceX’s letter to the FCC contains additional details regarding this issue.
In another Starlink RV development on Thursday, June 30, the Federal Communications Commission issued its long-awaited approval of SpaceX’s application for a license to enable Starlink broadband use in boats, RVs, trucks, etc., while underway.
The FCC stated: “Authorizing a new class of terminals for SpaceX’s satellite system will expand the range of broadband capabilities to meet the growing user demands that now require connectivity while on the move.”
Satellite based internet is the future. We need some competition for Starlink. That will help with pricing and terms of operations. If Musk wants to own the 12GHz band he could buy Dish and move it to his platform.
Completely agree Musk wants to own everything, leave Dish alone
Sounds like a huge blunder on Musk’s part.
If the 12 GHz was so important for his Starlink, he should have gotten the rights to it before DISH did.
I guess Musk will just have to buy out Dish. I had dish when I lived in the county and got rid of it when I moved into the city. Dish was good till they started providing local tv stations. For some reason after that their service went down hill and every time a storm came thru. You got no reception.
Bob,
A possible explanation is atmospheric conditions between your dish and the satellite. When Hi Def Tv entered the picture the signal became more susceptible to those conditions. We have had Dish for many years with little interference. When Hi Def came in it started having interference problems more frequently. Where we had mild interference maybe once a year, it is more like two to four times a month, depending on the weather. Happy Trails
I am a Dish subscriber living in Florida dish is the best, have even sat thru 3 Hurricanes watching tv and very seldom do we lose reception, opted out of locals 4 years ago and now with the antenna dish put in our attic Free, now get 60 broadcast Channels, been with Dish for 28 years
I am not a star link user, but I believe the people that do not have good access to internet service need it. Not protecting this service would be discrimination against people that live in rural areas. I had dish for a period of time, and all they did was raise my rates and not provide the services that I was expecting. In all disclosure I am a ATT share holder (owner of dish), but believe Starlink is needed!!!
Correction Dave! ATT does not own Dish Network. ATT owns Direct TV not Dish Network.
I thought so too. It intrigued me to verify and I have been surprised! 2021 was a great year for AT&T. They have their fingers into EVERYTHING.
Thanks Gary, beat me to the punch
Holy Cow! AT&T has their fingers in EVERYTHING! Dish, DirecTV, Verizon and so much more added 2021!
Good for you that you are a shareholder and I hope your dividends pay for subscriptions! Now that’s a Smart Investment!!!
We also agree that Starlink is needed, the price of subscription is reasonable and to have it (home) RVs and more vehicles will be of great convenience!
Not Dish
Love my Starlink – It’s the only service I could get where I live.
As far as liking or hating the CEO, I don’t know him personally, so I can’t use either of those adjectives. I will say though, I like WHAT he is doing, pretty much across the board.
Mike
We have about the slowest internet there is and Starlink will be a game changer. We’re getting the RV set up and going to use it at home and when at campgrounds. Now he has systems for moving vehicles. As much as I don’t like him personally, Musk is a genius and his Starlink is offering internet to those who most need it.
I’m a StarLink subscriber and love it. I have no use for Dish. They’re useless in my area. So I promptly appealed to the FCC. Frankly, I find all the Elon Musk bashing tiresome. Sure, he’s eccentric. Most geniuses are.
Go Dish go
Exactly
I have signed the petition, we live in a rural area that the city internet and cable services deem as not cost effective for them to serve us. We love our home Starlink and do plan on purchasing another Dishy for our RV. I would take our home system with,but, as everyone knows, now you need internet to keep things connected at home. We also have Dish network too, I think I would take Starlink over Dish anytime.
Good for SpaceX. Musk is spending a lot of money to make communication access for a lot of people who otherwise could not have access. his money time and development are worth a close examination by the FCC in his favor.
Agree! Before StarLink, we had no available high speed Internet in our rural community.
StarLink is great……we live in the mountains of Montana and it was the only way to go….thank u Musk….Dish is really bad service