The Path to Technical Independence from Starlink

A simple explanation of technical solutions and obstacles on the path to Ukraine's independence from Starlink.

We have previously discussed how high-speed satellite communication has changed the modern battlefield in our brief analytical article. Now, let’s take a closer look at the technical component of Ukraine’s current reliance on Starlink. Our focus here will be more on the technical side of consumption and use of communication, and less on the specifics of the satellite communication systems themselves.

In this article, we operate with entry-level technologies and terms. Therefore, you do not need to be an IT engineer to understand the material.

The Paradigm Shift

Starlink satellite communication is currently perceived by many as the “gold standard,” not only in a technical sense. Price accessibility and ease of use play no less a role than the high connection speeds characteristic of Starlink. The emergence of such a communication tool gave Ukraine a significant boost in 2022—the ability to transmit high-quality digital content directly from the battlefield. This, in turn, served as a springboard for a qualitative and quantitative leap in the use of various drones for a very wide range of tasks.