Starlink, the satellite-based internet provider owned by Elon Musk, has been operational for about four years now. It often makes the news (assisting Ukrainian soldiers, angering astronomers), but is it worth considering as an internet provider for your home or business? First the basics: Starlink is available throughout the US with small exceptions. Download speeds are quoted as “53 Mbps to 123 Mbps”, which is in line with my testing. Latency, or the time it takes a signal to go from your computer to the internet and back, is about 30 milliseconds. This is about two times the delay of traditional cable-based internet, but is a fraction of the 650 ms of prior generation satellite internet services. This big drop in latency is, in my opinion, one of the most innovative features of Starlink, and opens up the possibility of satellite-based phone and video chats. The cost of a residential internet plan is $120/mo, with a one-time cost beginning at $349. Additional expenses may be necessary for mounting hardware. So is it worth it? In short, Starlink can’t match the speed and price points of cable or fiber-based internet. (For comparison, local companies Optimum and FiberFirst offer 1 Gbps internet for $60/mo and $75/mo respectively with no upfront costs.) But Starlink really shines as an option for those areas where traditional internet service is not available or cost prohibitive. If you are beginning the process of searching for an internet provider for a new site or a replacement for your home or business, start with the FCC’s National Broadband Map, and let us know if you have any questions.
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