WebProNews

Tag: Gwynne Shotwell

  • Microsoft and Starlink Combine Cloud Computing and Anywhere Connectivity

    Microsoft and Starlink Combine Cloud Computing and Anywhere Connectivity

    Microsoft is expanding its focus on space, working with SpaceX to combine the power of Azure with the latter’s Starlink internet.

    Microsoft unveiled Azure Space nearly two years ago, partnering with SpaceX, among others. The company is expanding that collaboration with the goal of bringing Azure cloud computing to whether customers need it, thanks to Starlink satellite internet.

    “Azure Orbital Cloud Access brings connectivity from the cloud wherever businesses and public sector organizations need it the most,” writes Jason Zander, EVP, Strategic Missions and Technologies. “Across the space ecosystem, we are seeing a proliferation of low-latency satellite communication networks. This massive new expansion of connectivity across fiber, cellular, and satellite networks demands a new approach to connectivity, one which intelligently prioritizes traffic across these options, and bridges resilient connectivity into a seamless cloud experience.

    “Today, we are announcing the preview of Azure Orbital Cloud Access. Serving as a step toward the future of integrated 5G and satellite communications, Azure Orbital Cloud Access is a new service that enables low-latency (1-hop) access to the cloud—from anywhere on the planet—making it easier to bring satellite-based communications into your enterprise cloud operation.”

    Read more: Microsoft Makes the Leap to Space With Azure Space

    The service is currently only available to Azure Government customers. Microsoft is pitching it as an option where there is little to no connectivity or in applications that require a redundant fallback connection.

    Microsoft says its Azure traffic will be prioritized on Starlink’s network, offering the speed and reliability its customers require.

    “Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency global connectivity in conjunction with Azure infrastructure will enable users to access fiber-like cloud computing access anywhere, anytime. We’re excited to offer this solution to both the public and the private sector.”—Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer

  • SpaceX Fires Employees Who Called Elon Musk An ‘Embarrassment’

    SpaceX Fires Employees Who Called Elon Musk An ‘Embarrassment’

    SpaceX has moved swiftly, firing employees who wrote an open letter to executives in which they called Elon Musk an “embarrassment.”

    News broke yesterday of a letter some SpaceX employees wrote to executives outlining their concerns over Musk’s behavior and his public persona. The letter, which began circulating within the company Wednesday, was extremely critical of Musk, demanding the company distance itself from his tweets and requesting a sit-down with executives to discuss the issues. SpaceX has given its response, firing some of those responsible for the letter, according to The New York Times.

    According to the *Times*, SpaceX CEO Gwynne Shotwell has “terminated a number of employees involved,” citing concerns over “overreaching activism.”

    “The letter, solicitations and general process made employees feel uncomfortable, intimidated and bullied, and/or angry because the letter pressured them to sign onto something that did not reflect their views,” Ms. Shotwell wrote. “We have too much critical work to accomplish and no need for this kind of overreaching activism.”

    In our coverage yesterday, we highlighted that employee activism was causing many companies increasing problems. While some companies are bending over backward in an effort to engage with that activism, it appears SpaceX is taking a decidedly different approach, encouraging employees to stay focused on their work.

    “Blanketing thousands of people across the company with repeated unsolicited emails and asking them to sign letters and fill out unsponsored surveys during the work day is not acceptable,” Ms. Shotwell continued.

    “Please stay focused on the SpaceX mission, and use your time to do your best work. This is how we will get to Mars.”

  • Starlink Targeting September for Global Coverage

    Starlink Targeting September for Global Coverage

    SpaceX is planning on providing global internet coverage by September, via its Starlink satellite constellation.

    Starlink is a satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit, providing faster speeds and better latency than traditional satellite internet. The service has been rolling out in various markets as SpaceX has continued to launch its satellites into orbit.

    The company is now targeting September as the point when it will have global coverage, according to Reuters.

    “We’ve successfully deployed 1,800 or so satellites and once all those satellites reach their operational orbit, we will have continuous global coverage, so that should be like September timeframe,” president Gwynne Shotwell told a Macquarie Group conference.

    Starlink has already transformed the internet experience for many individuals in rural and underserved areas. Global coverage by September is good news for those who still struggle to have reliable internet access.

  • SpaceX Taps Google to Assist With Starlink Internet Access

    SpaceX Taps Google to Assist With Starlink Internet Access

    Google is partnering with SpaceX to provide cloud and internet services, in combination with the latter’s Starlink satellite internet.

    Starlink is a constellation of satellites SpaceX is deploying to provide internet access. Unlike old-school satellite internet, Starlink satellites are in low-Earth orbit, offering speeds and latency that are comparable with Earth-bound broadband. As part of the equation, SpaceX ground stations relay the internet signal from the satellites to the end-user.

    As part of the deal between the two companies, SpaceX’s ground stations will be placed in Google data centers. This will give SpaceX access to Google’s high-capacity private network, a big boost for corporate and enterprise customers. The arrangement will especially benefit companies that rely on edge computing, or those in rural areas that need access to cloud services.

    “Applications and services running in the cloud can be transformative for organizations, whether they’re operating in a highly networked or remote environment,” said Urs Hölzle, Senior Vice President, Infrastructure at Google Cloud. “We are delighted to partner with SpaceX to ensure that organizations with distributed footprints have seamless, secure, and fast access to the critical applications and services they need to keep their teams up and running.”

    “Combining Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency broadband with Google’s infrastructure and capabilities provides global organizations with the secure and fast connection that modern organizations expect,” said SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell. “We are proud to work with Google to deliver this access to businesses, public sector organizations, and many other groups operating around the world.”

    Customers will begin benefiting from the partnership in the second half of 2021.

  • SpaceX President: No Plans for Tiered Starlink Pricing

    SpaceX President: No Plans for Tiered Starlink Pricing

    SpaceX is aggressively rolling out its Starlink satellite internet service, and has no plans to offer multi-tier pricing.

    Starlink is a constellation of satellites designed to provide internet access to underserved communities around the world. Because the satellites are in low-Earth orbit, they provide much faster performance and lower latency than traditional satellite internet options.

    The service is currently in beta, but has been widely praised by users for offering speeds up to 500+ Mbps. While those reports are extreme cases, the average speeds users see are 80 – 90 Mbps. For individuals in remote areas, without access to fiber or cable internet, Starlink has been a game-changer.

    While many internet service providers offer tiered pricing, with different options, Space X president Gwynne Shotwell doesn’t see the company going that route, according to CNBC.

    “I don’t think we’re going to do tiered pricing to consumers. We’re going to try to keep it as simple as possible and transparent as possible, so right now there are no plans to tier for consumers,” Shotwell said, speaking on a virtual panel at the Satellite 2021 “LEO Digital Forum.”

    While some may lament the lack of choice, most consumers will probably appreciate the simple, straightforward options. The decision also puts Starlink in the same position as T-Mobile’s Home Internet, which also has a single, all-inclusive price for its service. After years of internet companies nickel-and-diming customers, simple options like Starlink and T-Mobile Home Internet are a breath of fresh air.

  • SpaceX Plans to Spin Off Starlink, Offer IPO

    SpaceX Plans to Spin Off Starlink, Offer IPO

    Bloomberg is reporting Elon Musk’s SpaceX plans to spin off Starlink in an effort to help shake up the internet industry.

    SpaceX has already launched 240 of its Starlink satellites into space, and is moving forward in batches of 60 at a time. Once complete, the Starlink satellite network will provide high-speed internet access globally, beginning this summer. As Bloomberg points out, currently Starlink only covers higher latitudes, but expects to cover the entire globe by the end of the year.

    At a private investor event, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell indicated the company is ready to take the next step.

    “Right now, we are a private company, but Starlink is the right kind of business that we can go ahead and take public,” said Shotwell. “That particular piece is an element of the business that we are likely to spin out and go public.”

    Investors will likely welcome the move, especially given the company’s potential.

    “This is going to turn SpaceX into a company that is providing service to consumers, which we are excited about,” Shotwell said, while also saying the internet service will be “less than what you are paying now for about five to 10 times the speed you are getting.”

    nIf SpaceX is able to deliver on Shotwell’s promise, an independent Starlink could be game-changer, in terms of providing affordable, high-speed internet to underserved markets.