Starlink's satellite internet service has seen notable improvements in both performance and speed, especially in 2023. Its network is expanding and allowing more households in rural areas to have great internet at a reasonable price. While service specifics can vary based on location and population density overall speeds regularly meet or exceed advertised ranges.
Download speeds average above 100 Mbps even when several household members are online. Starlink advertises download speeds of 50 Mbps to 200 Mbps and this has been vetted in testing.
Aside from fiber optic internet connections, upload speeds tend to lag significantly behind download speeds. Starlink has upload speeds ranging from 10 Mbps to 20 Mbps or higher. Other satellite providers in rural areas offer 2 Mbps to 5 Mbps of upload speed. Starlink's upload speed performance is a substantial improvement.
Latency is measured in milliseconds. Starlink latency is in the 20 Ms to 50 Ms range. That is low enough for lag-free gaming and smooth video calls. Starlink has lower latency in part as a result of Low Earth Orbit satellite configuration vs. traditional satellite locations of 18,000 or more miles from the Earth.
Starlink's performance can differ based on user saturation in specific areas. However, the general speed improvements should be consistent for all users, even if the exact numbers vary.
Starlink is building up its network to enhance speeds for customers and to add more availability where people are currently on wait lists.
One of the biggest adjustments for people who previously had a different type of internet service is that Starlink is a DIY equipment setup. You must purchase the equipment box and install it yourself. The box contains the dish, stand, router and cables. You shouldn’t have a hassle getting your signal up and running by placing the equipment temporarily on a deck or table outside but eventually you will want a more permanent solution. Whether it’s going to be mounted on a rod in your yard, or on your roof, or at the end of your dock (for the best access to a clear line of sight upward) you will likely need to buy additional equipment.
The equipment box is available direct from Starlink provided service is up in your location, or, you can purchase it at a big box store in regions where service is available. It’s $599.
Starlink initially entered the market offering a competitive rate of $100 per month for its service. However, the company has since implemented two price increases, totaling a 20% hike, bringing the cost to $120 per month for residential service. While any price increase is unwelcome, it's worth noting that Starlink's 20% increase is considerably lower than the 60% to 80% spikes that some other internet providers impose on subscribers after the first year or the end of a promotional period. Additionally, customers will have already made a significant investment in the required equipment. Starlink operates on a month-to-month basis without contracts, a policy that aligns well with the high demand for its service. People are eager to join Starlink, not to leave it, making the no-contract policy beneficial for all parties involved.
Some customers would have no issue with a contract were Starlink to change its business model as long as there was some type of price lock included. As it stands, Starlink price increases are at will.
Overall, Starlink service continues to expand and strengthen. It is a solid choice for robust internet in rural areas.
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