Tech

Starlink: Elon Musk makes lofty promises for satellite internet

Published

5 years ago

June 30, 2021

Elon Musk’s satellite network Starlink is on track to reach a huge new milestone in satellite internet coverage by August

Elon Musk says SpaceX’s satellite network Starlink is on track to beam broadband internet across the entire planet (bar the arctics) by August, with half a million users within a year.

“We’re on our way to having a few hundred thousand users, possibly over 500,000 users within 12 months,” he said. SpaceX has already launched over 1500 satellites, with Starlink operational in about a dozen countries.

There is the internal goal if things go right, which needs to be aggressive. Obviously, some things will not go right internally & there will be external issues too.

That said, I think we can stack an orbital ship on an orbital booster in July.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 29, 2021

“Filling in the gaps between 5G and fiber”

Musk considers Starlink to be “complementary” to existing 5G providers rather than directly competing with them.

“You can think of Starlink as filling in the gaps between 5G and fiber and really getting to the parts of the world that are the hardest to reach,” he said

SpaceX aims to offer broadband to parts of the world where conventional fibre and wireless networks can’t reach. The company plans to offer its technology to customers in rural areas, as well as governments seeking better internet connection.

Highlight's from Elon Musk's MWC keynote so far:
– Starlink has 69,420+ (ha) active users. Expecting 500K+ in 12 months
– Terminals cost $1K but sell for $500. Working on a cheaper "next generation" terminal
– Will attempt orbital Starship launch within the next few launches
— Jackie Wattles (@jackiewattles) June 29, 2021

SpaceX will also be orbiting in Google’s cloud?

Musk said he’s signed two deals with “major country” telecom operators

While he couldn’t name the operators yet, he said he’s also in discussions with more. Starlink is currently is its beta stage of development.

While costs are high, with many individual users are paying $99 per month, or $499 for a bundle including a self-aligning Starlink dish and Wi-Fi router.

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Natasha Schapova

Natasha is an Associate Producer at ticker NEWS with a Bachelor of arts from Monash University. She has previously worked at Sky News Australia and Monash University as an Online Content Producer.

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Tech

Sam Altman predicts superintelligence could appear by 2028

Sam Altman warns superintelligence may arise by 2028, advocating for global cooperation and a new governing body for AI.

Published

2 days ago

February 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Sam Altman warns superintelligence may arise by 2028, advocating for global cooperation and a new governing body for AI.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has issued a bold prediction, suggesting that early forms of superintelligence could emerge as soon as 2028. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit, Altman emphasised the urgent need for global cooperation to manage AI development responsibly.

He proposed the creation of an international oversight body for AI, similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency, to prevent misuse and ensure ethical advancements. Altman also raised concerns about authoritarian control in exchange for technological gains, highlighting the geopolitical stakes of AI.

With over 100 million users in India alone, ChatGPT has become a key part of the AI landscape. Altman acknowledged potential job disruptions but expressed optimism about society’s ability to adapt to rapid AI changes.

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Tech

Apple faces legal action as West Virginia sues over child safety

West Virginia AG John McCuskey sues Apple for failing to block child abuse material on iCloud and iOS devices.

Published

2 days ago

February 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

West Virginia AG John McCuskey sues Apple for failing to block child abuse material on iCloud and iOS devices.

West Virginia’s attorney general John McCuskey has filed a lawsuit against Apple Inc., alleging the tech giant failed to properly prevent child sexual abuse material from circulating on iCloud and iOS devices. The legal action claims the company’s strong stance on user privacy may have come at the expense of child safety protections.

McCuskey argues that other major tech firms, including Google and Microsoft, have taken stronger steps to detect and remove such content. The lawsuit intensifies scrutiny on how Silicon Valley balances encryption, privacy, and online safety.

The case could have major implications for Apple’s privacy-first branding and how platforms police illegal material moving forward.

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Tech

Zuckerberg testifies on social media addiction and child safety

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies in LA trial over claims that platforms are addictive and harmful to children.

Published

3 days ago

February 19, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies in LA trial over claims that platforms are addictive and harmful to children.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is testifying at a landmark social media trial in Los Angeles, marking a pivotal moment in the debate over online child safety. Lawyers for the plaintiffs argue that Meta intentionally designed its platforms to be addictive, putting young users at risk.

This is the first time Zuckerberg has addressed concerns about child safety directly before a jury, with KGM’s case acting as one of around 20 test trials aimed at gauging how jurors respond to claims that social media companies knowingly fuel harmful engagement.

The outcome could set the tone for future litigation against tech giants and reshape how platforms are designed, regulated and held accountable.

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