Starlink Set to Launch Second-Generation Satellites with 5G-Like Speeds
SpaceX’s satellite internet service Starlink is preparing to launch its second-generation satellites. During a keynote address at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, company officials announced that the new network will be capable of delivering speeds comparable to terrestrial networks, according to Engadget.
Michael Nicolls, Senior Vice President of Starlink Engineering, stated, “The goal of Starlink Mobile is to provide connectivity through a satellite system that feels like a terrestrial network. Under the right conditions, it will feel like a high-performance 5G terrestrial network.”
Nicolls said the V2 satellite constellation will be capable of delivering download speeds of up to 150 Mbps under ideal conditions. The next-generation satellites will provide 100 times greater data density than the previous generation, ensuring faster streaming and browsing as well as more reliable voice calls for users. He added that the new satellites will significantly enhance coverage, particularly in the Earth’s polar regions where conventional network coverage remains uncertain.
From mid-2027, SpaceX plans to deploy more than 50 V2 satellites per launch. The company aims to complete the full constellation within six months.
At MWC, Starlink also announced a partnership with German telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom. Beginning in 2028, the partnership will utilize Starlink’s satellite constellation to bridge internet coverage gaps across Europe.
DBTech/BMT/OR
