Chaitanya Kanojia once had a dream, called Aereo TV. The idea was to sell users an individual antenna, that connected to their Windows, Mac, or Linux PC, and let them view and download live TV broadcasts without paying for a cable package. Unfortunately, that project was attempted by circumventing cable companies and television studios, leading to legal troubles that ended the company a little over a year later. Now, Kanojia has a new dream; he wants to circumvent ISPs to bring high-speed internet to your home.
Kanojia, at a launch event in New York City last week, unveiled his latest brainchild, Starry Internet. The project uses millimetre airwaves to bring you gigabit wireless internet, as opposed to more traditional, wired offerings. The technological minds behind Aereo are now working on Starry, meaning there was at least some progress from the now defunct company. Unfortunately, that's where Starry Internet's problems just begin.
Millimetre airwaves are radio frequencies between 30 and 300GHz. The high frequency means they can carry more data over a distance; unfortunately, that distance is only about one kilometre. See, these airwaves have a tough time passing through obstacles, even humidity in the air can seriously dampen your signal. On its own that means, despite not having to having to spend a fortune laying fibre optic cables, Kanojia's company will still have to set up a lot of infrastructure, setting up multiple broadcast points and relays in close proximity to users. Not to mention, that the airwaves Starry will use are unlicensed spectrum, meaning future legal hassles could be lying in wait.
The company released their wireless hub at the event, which will receive the signal, and then set up a WiFi network through your home that you can monitor and customise. As far as devices go, the Starry Station seems pretty great on its own. It's got a touch screen that lets you check your signal's "health", monitor which devices are online, and even set usage timers. Of course, you can also download the app and control it via smartphone.
Unfortunately, despite the hub being priced at US $349.99, that's not all you need. Seeing as millimetre waves can be stopped by even water vapour, windows and walls would be a problem right? Well, that's where the antenna comes in, with the receiver sitting outside your house, while the rest of the device remains indoors, like some ungodly air conditioner that you have to custom-shape your window for.
Starry Internet will begin offering services in Boston first, with its eyes on expanding worldwide. The Starry Station will be available for US $399.99 beginning February 5, and shipping later in March. There's no word yet on how much an actual internet connection through Starry will cost, though Kanojia does promise that there will be no contracts or data caps.As far as comparisons go, this could either be the new Google Fiber or Google Glass; only time will tell.
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