By Chris Forrester Researcher and industry consultant Dr Tim Farrar, of TMF Associates, has predicted that SpaceX’s Starlink broadband-by-satellite system is likely to end this year with around 5 million customers (although he stresses that they must not be termed as ‘subscribers’), and that during 2025 these would grow to around 8 million. Back in 2021 Elon Musk suggested that once cashflow could be predicted reasonably well, then an Initial Public Offering could be mounted. However, since then date SpaceX has managed to raise cash without too much difficulty. Currently Musk’s SpaceX rocket company as well as Starlink are managed within the same operation. There has been speculation that the two businesses could be separated. One enthusiastic fan of Starlink suggested that the service is so transformational in terms of service (and when compared to a previous broadband connection) that Starlink should be considered a product leader of its generation, such as Microsoft’s Windows operating system and Apple’s iPhone. Meanwhile, Starling is readying its ‘direct-to-cellular’ (D2C) smartphone connectivity service. Currently it is arguing with the Federal Communications Commissions, and some tough terrestrial opposition, for permissions to operate. It has 246 suitable satellites already in orbit. It is currently testing its D2C service with partners KDDI in Japan, Optus in Australia and in New Zealand with One New Zealand. Related posts: