How has SpaceX's Starlink changed global internet access?

The answer

SpaceX's Starlink, first launched in May 2019, has grown to over 6,000 active satellites in low Earth orbit (approximately 550 km altitude) as of late 2024, serving over 3 million subscribers across more than 75 countries. The system delivers speeds of 50–250 Mbps with latency as low as 20 milliseconds - comparable to ground-based broadband. Starlink has been particularly impactful in rural areas, developing nations, and conflict zones; it provided critical communications in Ukraine after Russian attacks on infrastructure. The service expanded to aviation (United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines) and maritime use. SpaceX's second-generation satellites, launched on Starship, will feature direct-to-cell capability through a partnership with T-Mobile, enabling standard smartphones to connect to satellites without special hardware.