A Reddit forum for SpaceX’s Starlink has revealed the first speeds for the new satellite broadband service. SpaceX has already launched hundreds of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites that will power this next generation satellite broadband service.
The speeds look promising, but we must recognize that Starlink is in pre-beta, so speeds always look impressive when at this stage of a deployment. Using the Ookla Speedtest app, Starlink beta users found speeds as high as 60 Mbps downstream and 17.7 Mbps upstream. Latency was as low as 31 milliseconds.
Speeds ranged from 36 Mbps to 60 Mbps on the download and 5 Mbps to 17.7 Mbps on the upload.
Starlink recently started inviting beta users for the service. Pricing for the service has not yet been revealed. The beta service is free, except for a $1 billing system charge. Interestingly, beta users are supposed to sign an NDA, according to an Inverse report. The Reddit forum Starlink speed reveal may have violated that NDA, and it may be taken down as a result.
Coverage is currently limited to the Northern region of the U.S. and the southern region of Canada. The Reddit forum featured Starlink speeds appear to be from beta users in the state of Washington.
SpaceX has big plans for Starlink. It eventually plans to put thousands of LEO satellites in orbit, presumably offering nationwide coverage for broadband. LEO-based satellite broadband provides better broadband performance than traditional satellite broadband, which uses satellites at much higher geostationary orbit.
SpaceX is hoping the USF program will help fund its growth plans. The company aims to participate in the upcoming RDOF auction. SpaceX isn’t alone in the LEO satellite broadband space race. Amazon and others are joining them.
It’s very early in this new satellite broadband era. As impressive as some might think the early Starlink speeds are (or not impressive, depending on your perspective), there are many questions about the viability of LEO-based satellite broadband over the long term. There is no shortage of skeptics.
It’s certainly going to be interesting to watch though.
Thumbnail Image courtesy of flickr user Official SpaceX Photos.
Umm the FCC thought it couldnt be done below 100 ms…. Another win!
The lowest latency line between New York and London, used by the big traders, is about 30Ms! This seems to be coming together as Elon has been saying.
I want the FCC to eat their Crow.
I live in rural Virginia, and our only option is Viasat. Please rescue me
Based on the above speed test results and the FCC's ongoing testing rules for subsidized carriers that the minimum speed that at least 80% of subscribers experience at least 80% of the time over peak periods (the 80/80 rule) be at the performance tier you bid in, SpaceX can bid in the 25/3 Mbps low latency tier. Congratulations.
"Speeds ranged from 36 Mbps to 60 Mbps" is slow..
Yeah with a fraction of the satellites. We should continue this conversation once they are all launched.
The best thing money can buy where i am is 15. Ill pay good money for 36-60