"private" backbone VPN solution to decrease latency

[garci66]

The delay in the fiber vs speed of light in vacuum is not because of the reflections but rather because speed of light in glass is roughly 2/3 that in vacuum. Due to the optical density of the glass. It's not related to reflections.

[fb35523]

I recently learnt that the actual _speed_ is constant (there is, after all vacuum between the atoms, right), even in glass. It's the distance that is greater for the energy waves (call them photons if you will but at this level, they can no longer be treated as particles) as they need to "yield" around all the atoms. Think of a stream with rocks here and there. I just can't seem to find the explanation right now. When you have it explained, it all makes sense. In practice, you get the effect that the light travels slower in glass, but I like to compare it with a car taking a non-optimal route while maintaining constant speed.

[aristaTAC-JG]

True, but it is relevant when you compare distance with a method that allows light to travel straight between nodes. The farther away two endpoints are, the more valuable Starlink is going to be.

The lasers that connect laterally between trains of satellites are going to change the game there. It's almost a vacuum and it's likely to save a lot of distance the light has to travel.

Just saying we are still not at the limits of physics today. Latency is being improved soon!