“SpaceX Falcon 9 Up & Away” (CC BY 2.0) by beltz6
SpaceX’s Starlink internet has just surpassed a million subscribers, achieving one of the most impressive feats ever seen in satellite internet. Not even two years old, Starlink’s systems are reaching users all over the world, leading many to wonder if making a change could be the right move. As for whether or not you should be one of them, that depends on how you use your internet connection.
Demand and Reliability
As with every type of internet connection, how useful Starlink could be for you will depend on what you use it for. Consider an average-use scenario where somebody likes to play online casino games such as slots while collecting the top casino bonuses and offers like free spins and bonus cash. The demands placed by online casinos on the internet are low, so even if Starlink speeds drop, there shouldn’t be much of an issue. Whether on mobile or desktop connecting through a home network, access should usually be without issue.
On the other end of the common use spectrum are those who have several users connecting through a network who engage in more demanding uses, like watching UHD video streams. Each user in this scenario would take a chunk out of the total bandwidth allowance, where the total demand could overwhelm Starlink speeds. This would create a drop in streaming quality or even the dreaded buffering wait times.
Users also need to factor in that, regardless of bandwidth demands, Starlink can have issues with reliability. This is because Starlink connects through a net of moving satellites, rather than one stationary satellite. A closer net lowers signal travel time, but it also means that the dish must constantly acquire new connection points. If there is a gap in the net, or if a satellite moves behind a tree or another obstacle, the connection will be lost. For this reason, users without a clear line of sight to the sky should be wary.
By the Numbers
By working through a mesh of different systems that are connected to a ground location, there is considerable variability in Starlink speed. Those areas with quality infrastructure, like where Starlink is connected in Brazil, can reach median speeds of 113 Mbps. On the other hand, Colombian Starlink speeds at the same time worked at a median speed of 71 Mbps. In both these cases, Starlink was faster than the average internet speeds of those two countries, but this isn’t the case in many nations.
In the best possible scenarios, Starlink can boast bandwidth of up to 200 Mbps. The new standard in fiber connections is five times faster at 1 Gbps. Fiber is also more reliable, it can be much cheaper, but it can struggle in terms of availability while rollout continues.
“IMG_3579” (CC BY 2.0) by adrienneserra
The Takeaway
While it’s not a good idea to run out and invest in Starlink just because it’s a hot new technology, making a change could still be worth it for users with certain requirements. If you’re paying more for a connection that is slower, or which is already unreliable, then Starlink could be just what you need. If you live in a developed area that offers fiber, however, Starlink might not be the right call for you.