SpaceX’s Starlink has quickly become a popular internet provider for those in areas where traditional cable and fibre internet are slow or unavailable.
You might wonder what makes Starlink different to other, more established internet providers. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Starlink.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite constellation owned by Starlink Services, a subsidiary of US aerospace company SpaceX.
The satellite constellation is used to provide high-speed, low-latency internet to Starlink customers in more than 100 countries and territories around the world.
In the company’s own words, “Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more”.
As well as providing internet for homes and businesses, Starlink technology has been used to replace destroyed communication networks in Ukraine, with the company later signing contracts with the US Department of Defense.
Why would anyone use Starlink?
There are a couple of reasons people and businesses might opt to use Starlink over competing internet providers.
Firstly, SpaceX is the only satellite operator capable of launching its own satellites as needed. This makes it possible for Starlink to frequently update its satellites with the newest tech. In fact, as of January 2025, there are 6994 Starlink satellites in orbit, 6957 of which are working. (via Space.com)
On top of this, Starlink satellites orbit the Earth at a much closer distance compared to single satellites. It takes less time for data to move between the satellites and the planet and so the latency is significantly lower for Starlink. According to the company, latency sits at around 25ms compared to 600ms and higher for competitors.
A lower latency means better support for more intensive activities, from online gaming to video streaming to conference calling.
Is Starlink faster than 5G?
While Starlink is often faster and offers lower latency compared to traditional cable and fibre networks, 5G still comes out on top in most instances.
Depending on where you’re located, you might find that Starlink and 5G offer comparable performance. However, 5G is theoretically capable of reaching speeds between 10 and 20 Gbps, whereas Starlink can reach maximum speeds of 250 Mbps for standard service or 500 Mbps for business service.
Where Starlink does have the edge is in more rural areas where 5G might not have the same coverage. For people in these locations, Starlink can be a great solution.
Can I get Starlink in the UK?
Yes, you can get Starlink in the UK. The service has been available here since 2021 and covers the vast majority of the country.
You can see an up-to-date view of where Starlink is available on Starlink’s coverage map, with many areas marked ‘available’ and others ‘coming soon’ or even ‘sold out’.
Does Starlink work anywhere?
Starlink is available in many regions across the world, including large parts of Australia, Europe, North America and South America. Many locations – including the majority of Africa, Antarctica and Asia – are still marked as ‘coming soon’ on Starlink’s coverage map as of us publishing this guide.
There are also some areas that are blacked out on the map, including Afghanistan, Belarus, China, North Korea, Iran, Russia and Syria.
How much does Starlink internet cost?
Starlink internet doesn’t come cheap (at least in the UK) with Starlink’s Residential plan starting at $30 / £75 a month for households. There’s also a Roam plan for RV owners and digital nomads which starts at £50 a month.
For businesses, the plans start at $71 / £80 a month for the Fixed Site plan, with that price increasing to £206 a month for the Land Mobility and Maritime plans which serve mobile businesses on land and in the ocean.
You’ll also need to order the Starlink Kit, which includes a satellite antenna and Wi-Fi router among other things. These kits start at $349 / £299 and go up to $2500 / £1,199 depending on the plan you need.
Why did Ontario cancel its Starlink contract?
SpaceX’s Starlink has made headlines recently for losing a contract with Ontario in response to a 25% tariff placed on Canada by the US.
Starlink had been contracted to bring high-speed internet to 15,000 homes and businesses across Ontario, including ones in rural communities, by June 2025 (via The Guardian).
