Starlink download speed in 15 countries reached the performance of land-based providers
Elon Musk’s satellite internet service is already able to compete with traditional providers. According to a report from Ookla, the provider of Speedtest, the largest network quality measurement platform, Starlink’s average speed in 15 key markets rose to more than 104 MBps in the fourth quarter of 2021. Thus, the service from SpaceX became the fastest solution in the field of satellite communications, and also bypassed broadband internet access in Belgium, Australia, Mexico, and a number of other countries and several regions of the United States.
As new satellites are launched, connected to a common group in low-Earth orbit, and terminals are deployed in New countries, Starlink increases its average internet connection speed. According to Speedtest, connection speeds to Stalink increased from 87.25 Mbps recorded in the third quarter of 2021 to 104.97 Mbps in the fourth quarter. Analysts noted that crossing the 100 Mbps mark is an important benchmark that brings SpaceX closer to the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), an American fund whose activities are focused on digitalizing rural areas in the United States.
In terms of satellite communications, Starlink has only two international competitors — Viasat and HughesNet. These vendors lagged significantly behind SpaceX in all respects: in terms of deployment speed, coverage area, and connection speed. ViaSat averages 21.8 Mbps, while HughesNet averages 20.9 Mbps, which is almost five times slower than Starlink. For comparison, on average, landline providers in the United States now provide consumers with a network of 131.3 Mbps.
Another important success factor was the level of latency, analysts said. At the end of 2021, SpaceX was the only satellite internet provider with an average latency close to broadband. The current Starlink response rate is 14 MS and 40 Ms. At the same time, analogs from SES, Viasat, and HughesNet now give a delay of 13 Ms, 627 MS, and 725 ms, respectively.
As for indicators based on geographical factors, Starlink still cannot provide a uniform speed in this area. On the east coast of the United States, satellite internet works best – about 191.08 Mbps for the city of Miami, Florida. At the same time, in the western part of the country, for example, in Oregon, Columbia, the connection quality drops to a record low of 64.95 Mbps.
In terms of global deployment, Belgium, Mexico, and Australia distinguished themselves. In these countries, Starlink operates at 155.15 Mbps, 141.94 Mbps, and 141.5 Mbps, respectively — better than most local providers operating on the ground. High rates were also recorded in France, Germany, Canada, Italy, Ireland, and several other EU member states-here Starlink either bypasses land — based internet providers or operates at a comparable level.
Recall also that with the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Elon Musk provided the opportunity to use Starlink throughout Ukraine. Also, he has already provided several trucks of free terminals for the authorities and the armed forces of Ukraine.
