There are multiple reasons, from demisablility to BOM cost and also just that the tech wasn’t quite ready at first and they wanted to launch ASAP to get that minimum viable product up and running (besides their FCC licenses have a time limit for deployment... if they don’t deploy their network fast enough, they can lose access to the spectrum they want to use). They also wanted to be able to bid for broadband subsidies, etc.
Lots of good reasons they just launched before the laser links were ready. Also, they don’t necessarily need them except for really, REALLY remote customers (ie a minority), so they can sprinkle in lasers into their constellation as they become available.
Lots of good reasons they just launched before the laser links were ready. Also, they don’t necessarily need them except for really, REALLY remote customers (ie a minority), so they can sprinkle in lasers into their constellation as they become available.