Elon Musk’s Starlink is now on all seven continents, including Antartica

Starlink, a satellite internet constellation operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, confirmed that it is now present on all seven continents, including Antarctica, thanks to Starlink’s space laser network.

Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet across the globe leveraging advanced satellites and user hardware coupled with its deep experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit operations. Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency service is made possible via the world’s largest constellation of highly advanced satellites operating in a low orbit around the Earth

This milestone was announced by SpaceX via its Twitter page recently.

This is indeed a welcome development for the inhabitants of McMurdo Station, the largest community in Antarctica capable of supporting up to 1,258 residents. With all months of the year having an average temperature below freezing, Starlink’s capability to provide internet access to such a location is indeed awesome. 

Starlink’s laser network obviates the need for ground stations which is ideal for providing internet access to extremely remote locations. This configuration can also decrease latency, since the number of hops between satellites and ground stations are reduced.

As at August 2022, Starlink said it was now offering its service in 40 countries though it has a backlog of prospective customers waiting to receive equipment and start service. In May this year, the company was given permission to begin operations in two African nations – Nigeria and Mozambique.

Starlink was included alongside 37 other Internet Service Providers on list of approved Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Nigeria published this week.

Starlink currently owns 3,000 satellites through SpaceX, and is already providing internet service to about 500,000 subscribers globally.