[grim_io]

Why are the satellites required at all?

Telcos manage many multiples of Starlink's traffic just fine over terrestrial high-bandwidth optic fiber.

[scottyah]

They really don't manage the traffic well over terrestrial lines for the globe, that's why starlink, iridium, viasat, even directv have all used satellites. Billions of taxpayer money and even more private funding have been devoted to bringing lines to rural areas and the area covered is still so small.

[grim_io]

Areas where Starlink makes sense are usually the same areas where people experience economic troubles: rural areas.

Starlink has excellent military applications. The consumer business is a dishonest joke to fool investors.