Would you rather buy space broadband from a billionaire, or Communist China?
https://www.theregister.com/2024/08/08/china_qianfan_launch/
I hate that South Park episode, but isn't this indeed like choosing from giant douche and turd sandwich? 🤔
@m0xee why does it need to be from space? that will either make it worse, or more expensive, or both.
this may be a mystery to you too.
i mean, suppose instead of internet we were trying to deliver fast food. i hate drive-thrus. but i feel like theyre more efficient and cost-effective than the idiot who designed the incel delorean trying to launch chicken sandwiches at us from orbit. maybe its better, maybe i need a masters in science or something.
@trdebunked
Worse and more expensive than what, submarine communication cabling? I don't think that either of these two is supposed to replace already existing and reliable infrastructure in urban areas, same as satphones didn't replace regular cellphones, but they exist and are very useful where there is no infrastructure or when it goes down in case of emergencies.
@trdebunked
But that is beside the point, which is: neither China, nor Elon Musk are trustworthy 🤷
@trdebunked
Starlink for one is being used in Ukraine now, that's a rather extreme case, but it demonstrates the field of application quite well. Rescue teams use satphones during floods, fires, massive power outages, including in the areas where communication isn't available even under normal conditions. Having broadband Internet as an option? Why not, it's good! Of course it doesn't come without downsides, for one, space debris looks like a problem.