Ripple CTO David Schwartz Praises Starlink Despite Past Criticism of Elon Musk

• Ripple CTO Schwartz praises Starlink for allowing a seamless Zoom call without cell service.
• Despite past criticism of Elon Musk, Schwartz acknowledges Starlink as an astonishing success.
• Starlink has launched 6,500 satellites and serves 4 million customers globally, especially in remote areas.

David Schwartz, Ripple‘s Chief Technology Officer, has praised Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink. Recently, Schwartz shared his experience using the service to join a Zoom call in a remote area with no cellular coverage. 

He managed this by installing a Starlink dish on his car’s dashboard. Schwartz described the experience as an “astonishing success,” acknowledging that the service provided about 8 Mbps internet speed, even under less-than-ideal conditions.

Schwartz, who has previously criticized Elon Musk, noted that despite Starlink’s performance being slower than expected in some cases, the system wasn’t designed for such extreme circumstances.

This praise comes from someone vocal about his disapproval of Musk’s often unmet promises and what he describes as Musk’s “overrated” reputation.

However, when it comes to Starlink, Schwartz has been repeatedly impressed. Last month, the Ripple CTO highlighted some features he accessed, including Starlink Roam’s international coverage, in-motion use, and coastal connectivity.

Starlink Roam, which became widely available in July, allows users to access satellite internet even while traveling.

Since its launch in May 2019, Starlink has positioned itself as the top provider of satellite internet services. The company has almost 6,500 satellites in orbit and boasts over 4 million customers worldwide. Its services are mainly focused on regions with limited or unreliable internet options.

Starlink continues to expand, targeting areas with poor internet infrastructure. Schwartz’s experience highlights the potential of satellite internet to provide reliable connectivity in areas where traditional methods struggle. 

While Schwartz remains critical of some of Musk’s business practices, his acknowledgment of Starlink’s value underscores the growing significance of satellite technology in global communication.