What is Starlink? Everything you need to know about Elon Musk's satellite internet service (2024)

In the US, Starlink's median download speed in the second quarter of 2022 hit just over 62 Mbps, according to the network intelligence firm Ookla. That's more than sufficient for one or two people to stream videos, download games or do whatever they want on the internet. However, a year prior, download speeds in the US were closer to 90 Mbps.

It turns out that Starlink's growing customer base is having an impact on its performance. In fact, compared to a year prior, Starlink speeds decreased in every country Ookla surveyed in Q2 -- across Europe, Oceania, North America and South America.

The decrease in speeds puts Elon Musk farther away from his Feb. 2021 claim that Starlink download speeds would hit 300 Mbps within the year.

Starlink's upload speeds also slowed across the globe in Q2 2022, while latency remained relatively flat. In the US, Starlink's median latency came in at 48 ms, below other satellite providers.

While Starlink's speeds have decreased, the service in Q2 was much faster in the US than other satellite-based broadband offerings. Download speeds for Viasat, for instance, clocked in at just over 23 Mbps, according to Ookla. Download speeds for HughesNet were just below 23 Mbps. However, fixed broadband in the US was still notably faster than all satellite-based services, with download speeds of 150.12 Mbps.

What is Starlink? Everything you need to know about Elon Musk's satellite internet service (2024)

FAQs

What is Starlink everything you need to know? ›

Starlink is the first commercially available phased array antenna. The Starlink Kit arrives with everything you need to get online in minutes. It connects in minutes as long as it has a clear view of the sky. Starlink can withstand extreme cold, heat, hail, sleet, heavy rain, gale force winds, and even rocket engines.

How much does Starlink cost per month? ›

Starlink standard residential service is $120/mo. for unlimited data. Additional priority data packages cost $140 to $500 for a fixed location or more for a mobile plan. Equipment fees can range from $599 to $2,500 depending on the plan.

What is the downside of Starlink? ›

Starlink's speeds are slower compared to Fiber and FWA. FWA's latency can be as low as 30ms with 5G, while Fiber's latency is often even lower. Starlink has a higher latency of 43ms, which may critically affect activities, such as online gaming.

What is special about Starlink internet? ›

Starlink has the potential to offer moderately faster speeds than Hughesnet and Viasat (not to mention other common rural internet services) with significantly lower latency -- low enough to support online gaming and video calls -- and unlimited data. Such advantages come at a high price.

What do you get when you get Starlink? ›

Once users subscribe to Starlink, they receive a Starlink kit that includes a satellite dish, a dish mount and a Wi-Fi router base unit.

Is it worth getting Starlink internet? ›

The big benefit is that Starlink's satellite network can beam broadband down from space to practically anywhere on the planet. While Starlink is more expensive than most other providers and oftentimes slower, it earned a top spot on PCMag's list of Best ISPs for its broad coverage.

How much data do you get per month with Starlink? ›

Starlink customers technically get unlimited data. There are no hard data caps for Starlink internet service, meaning Starlink never cuts off your internet connection for spending a lot of time online. But some Starlink plans limit the amount of high-speed data you receive.

Will Starlink work in a power outage? ›

Like any other electronics device, you would need to have it on a UPS, or be running a generator. It, by itself, still needs external power to operate.

What problems will Starlink cause? ›

The size and scale of the Starlink project concerns astronomers, who fear that the bright, orbiting objects will interfere with observations of the universe, as well as spaceflight safety experts who now see Starlink as the number one source of collision hazard in Earth's orbit.

Can I share Starlink with my neighbor? ›

If sharing with a neighbor, you'll need to ensure that the dish's placement is optimal for both parties' use, which might be challenging if there are long distances or physical obstructions between the properties.

Is Starlink worth it in 2024? ›

However, Xfinity does impose data caps on your internet usage, while Starlink offers unlimited data with no caps and no overage fees. This could make Starlink WiFi a more competitive option for high-use users or for those who want to maximize their value.

Does Starlink require a contract? ›

Unlimited data, No Contracts.

Does Starlink have WiFi? ›

The Starlink router uses an older wireless standard (802.11ac, known as Wi-Fi 5), making it tempting to upgrade by adding a faster Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E router (we've listed our top picks below).

What does the Starlink package include? ›

Unlimited data, No Contracts. All Starlink subscription plans include unlimited high-speed data on land with no long-term contracts or commitments.

What is Starlink for dummies? ›

Starlink is a constellation of thousands of satellites that orbit the planet much closer to Earth, at about 550km, and cover the entire globe. Because Starlink satellites are in a low orbit, latency is significantly lower—around 25 ms vs 600+ ms.

What services do you get with Starlink? ›

HIGH-SPEED INTERNET AROUND THE WORLD
  • Residential. Connect at home.
  • Roam. Connect on the go.
  • Boats. Connect on the water.

Starlink

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https://www.starlink.com
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