To the editor:
When something like Starlink satellite broadband is hyped by someone as flamboyant as Elon Musk, the public may easily believe that it is about to make all other forms of communication obsolete. If you have never worked in new product development, differentiating prototypes from products can be difficult, as Kevin Brace’s letter last week about Starlink and communication districts demonstrates. To reduce confusion, here is a quick overview of some upcoming and existing communications technologies:
Networks of low-orbit satellites are being tested by Musk’s SpaceX and other companies to try to shorten the time it takes a radio signal to travel from Earth to satellite and back. Musk hopes to have launched enough Starlink satellites to run a full test by next year. So far, Musk has tweeted via Starlink. That means he sent 280 characters; Starlink cannot yet transmit a short video much less provide real-time videogame play. Satellite phones for Starlink have not yet reached final prototype; SpaceX is trying to bring the cost within reach of consumers. Time to market and cost for Starlink service is unknown.
Even when Starlink is running successfully, radio satellite will not supersede ground-based systems. In addition to delays due to distance, radio signals can be impaired by rain. Optical fiber transmits at the speed of light, and will remain the preferred form of broadband, where available.
Internet connections typically start with large pipes of optical fiber to connect major cities, even along the bottom of the ocean. These gradually become smaller as they reach out to less populated areas. Fiber-to-the home means that optical fiber is used all the way to each household. More often this “last mile” connection is made through cable or through copper phone lines (DSL). That is what 5G can change.
Wireless 5G can replace last-mile cable or phone connection with a high frequency wireless signal. Because it is high frequency, 5G can carry much information, but not very far. Someone with a quarter-mile driveway might need more than one 5G radio to pass along the signal from the road to home. Because of its short range, 5G is most cost effective in urban areas. So far, 21 US cities have 5G networks.
There are other types of broadband as well: 4G cell, microwave and more. Communication districts would enable towns to combine forces to apply for grants, offer bonds and contract whichever infrastructure construction and Internet services make the most sense for them. It is another tool for towns tired of waiting for broadband.
State Senator
Jeanne Dietsch
Peterborough