Users from arid climates who expected to have a good Internet with Starlink see that in the worst days of the year they are left without Internet. This is a huge problem for people in the southern United States and elsewhere.
One of the reasons why Starlink is sold as a great opportunity for many people is the possibility of having satellite internet, without having to depend on a telephone line installation. It was going to be a good alternative for the most remote parts of the United States, but it has been seen that in arid climates, it will be common to run out of internet.
Starlink does not withstand arid climates
A user of the Starlink beta on Arizona said he lost internet service for more than seven hours yesterday when the satellite dish overheated. The Starlink app provided an error message that read: “Offline: thermal shutdown» and had to wait for it to cool down. The technical service said that it disconnects when the antenna reaches 50ºC and would return when it reaches 40ºC. Even with water sprayed on it, the antenna took seven hours to cool down and then overheated again shortly after.
This fact that Starlink antennas stop working in heat has been confirmed by other beta users. And therein lies a huge problem that collides with the philosophy of Starlink, which is to bring the internet to all areas of the planet through a simple installation. Arizona is one of those areas that hardly have internet coverage as it is arid and difficult to build, and precisely because of that aridity, Starlink was convenient for it, which does not get along with high temperatures.
Of course, we are in a beta phase and Starlink may still change. But it would require a new antenna that repels heat better and can also withstand temperatures better. Otherwise, it will be a half solution for users in areas with high temperatures most of the year.
Source: ArtsTechnical
