Great failure: millions of customers affected!

Great failure: millions of customers affected!

On July 25, 2025, the Satellite Communication Service Starlink's satellite communication service for about two and a half hours. Customers worldwide reported considerable disorders that occurred due to software problems in the network, as a SpaceX manager confirmed. Starlink, which operates thousands of satellites in low orbit above earth, enables many users in remote areas access to Internet services where conventional mobile phone connections are missing.

This service has also played an important role in Ukraine, where the classic telecommunications infrastructure was badly damaged by the continuing conflict with Russia. Various airlines also rely on Starlink to offer their passengers internet access during flight. The recent failure is not the first incident of this kind - similar problems have been reported in the past, but such failures are rare as a whole.

developments in satellite communication

The concept of satellite communication is becoming more important worldwide, especially as a supplement to terrestrial networks. In Germany, the 5G mobile radio cover is already over 98 percent, but there is still a need for innovative solutions for areas that are difficult to access. Around 13,000 satellites currently circle the earth and there is a clear trend towards lower orbit (Leo satellites). These satellites, which fly at heights between 500 and 1,000 km, require a larger number for comprehensive coverage, but offer lower latencies compared to geostationary satellites (GEO).

The German Telecommunications provider Deutsche Telekom emphasizes that satellite communication should not be seen as a emergency solution, but should be seen as a valuable addition to the digital infrastructure. The integration of these technologies could also lead to the development of new services, such as the direct-to-handset service, which is currently under development. In the United States, where many rural areas are cut off from the network coverage, the need for such satellite solutions increases even more.

competition on the market

Starlink is also in competition with other providers, including Blue Origin, the company of Jeff Bezos, who is working on its own service called Project Kuiper. However, this is still in the initial phase. Germany and the EU rely on technological innovations to build a secure satellite network that guarantees digital sovereignty, as the planned Iris² project shows that Deutsche Telekom actively participates.

The future of telecommunications will increasingly be shaped by the integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, with developments in satellite communication playing a central role. Frequencies are crucial for radio communication, with specific frequency bands such as the KU band for broadband services via satellites.

Overall, the recent incident in Starlink shows how vulnerable modern technologies can be. Nevertheless, the satellite service remains an essential solution for many and will continue to play an important role in the digital infrastructure in the future.

For more information about the developments in the field of satellite communication, read more on Telekom.de.