Is Starlink Faster than 5G?

The newest in mobile internet is 5G. With brand new technologies delivering data at record speeds and lower latencies, 5G is the envy of anyone who wants mobile internet. The newest in satellite internet is Starlink. With thousands of satellites in low-earth orbit providing satellite internet’s top speeds and ping rates never before witnessed from satellite internet before, SpaceX’s Starlink is the envy of anyone who wants satellite connectivity. But which one is faster?

5G uses radio waves to transmit data through the air to your device. Because 5G uses higher radio frequencies and is installing thousands of transmitter antennas across network areas, 5G is able to transmit data faster than mobile technology ever has before. But 5G isn’t performing near its potential yet. 5G can theoretically pass the 1 Gbps mark, possibly all the way up to 10 Gbps, but most 5G providers are showing 50+ Mbps. If 5G ever gets to the top of its potential, that would make it faster than fiber, but as it stands, it’s not quite as fast as Starlink. At the moment, Starlink has gaps in its constellation and is only in its beta phase, but most speed reports are showing between 50 and 150 Mbps. This is not as fast as cable or fiber, but it is really good for satellite internet. Satellite internet’s greatest strength is its reach, not its speed, but the speeds from Starlink are still respectable and still a little better than 5G is currently. Though Starlink is slightly faster than 5G (though still comparable), it seems 5G may hold the greater potential for speed in the long-run.