[inglor_cz]

This is a global network. Population of the world is around 8 billion. Even if some countries like China ban Starlink for political reasons, you should be able to find tens of millions of customers among the rest.

There are a lot of places where local providers act like robber barons.

[AlstZam]

> There are a lot of places where local providers act like robber barons.

I agree, this may be the best effect Starlink can have : create competition.

> Population of the world is around 8 billion

Yes but which part is able to afford 99$/month (+antenna) + bad local provider which refuse to adapt to competition (first at price/offer level before even infrastructure) + no political reason for a global-us based provider ?

[inglor_cz]

"bad local provider which refuse to adapt to competition (first at price/offer level before even infrastructure)"

They may find themselves unable to. Cable (including optic cable) networks are not that easy to build everywhere, including some tightly packed cities. And wireless has its limitations too.

"which part is able to afford 99$/month (+antenna) "

Easy. People will share connections, regardless of what the contract says. And Starlink will likely tolerate it in poorer countries.

[reportingsjr]

The sort of design starlink has means that it is not going to able to provide a reasonably high bandwidth at a high density. Starlink will be able to support a handful of people in a city, but nothing close to good coverage of households.

Here is an overview that is likely quite a bit too conservative, but gives you an idea of the problem regarding somewhat dense areas: https://lilibots.blogspot.com/2020/11/capacity-of-starlink-n...