Will Starry Internet Disrupt the Home Broadband Business?
Starry Internet is looking to offer fast wireless broadband to homeowners via a proprietary method that uses bandwidth in the range of 38 GHz. The service is scheduled to launch in Boston later in 2016, bringing speeds of up to 1 gigabit to subscribers.
Starry says it has pioneered the use of “millimetre waves” as an alternative to fixed-line broadband, and will offer connectivity at about 38 GHz — a far higher frequency range than is currently used by wireless providers. Subscribers are required to purchase the Starry Station Wi-Fi router, which communicates with an outdoor Starry Point receiver that links to a connectivity hub.
The service aims to revolutionize the way consumers receive Internet access at home, and is backed by a number of Web and capital firms. Starry’s founders — the former executives of Aereo, which attempted to disrupt the broadcast TV business — say the technology can be deployed and scaled faster than traditional wired networks, and at a fraction of the cost.
Google and Qualcomm have also been exploring the use of the extremely high-frequency bands ranging from 30 GHz to 300 GHz, and a number of wireless companies have previously but unsuccessfully attempted to take on established Internet service providers. It remains to be seen if Starry will be different, and its first test will be when the service goes live later in 2016. Aereo ran into legal troubles but, with Starry, things might be looking up.
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