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Starlink’s internet speeds see major boost

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Starlink's internet speeds see major boost
Starlink's internet speeds see major boost

Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, has seen significant speed improvements over the past two years.

Median download speeds have increased from 53.95 Mbps in 2022 to 104.71 Mbps in 2025, according to Ookla, a speed test site. Starlink’s increase in median upload and download speeds, along with its ability to deliver broadband speeds of 100/20 Mbps to nearly 20% of Speedtest users across the country, makes it an increasingly attractive broadband option.

Sue Marek, Editorial Director at Ookla, commented on the progress, noting the significant improvement in the service’s capacity. In early 2022, Starlink had approximately 1,761 satellites in orbit. This number has now surged to 7,607, according to astronomer Jonathan McDowell.

SpaceX, the company that owns Starlink, aims to have up to 42,000 satellites in space eventually. However, many industry experts remain skeptical about Starlink’s ability to add millions of new customers without compromising speed.

Ookla’s data reveals that only 17.4% of Starlink customers are currently receiving internet speeds that meet the FCC’s minimum requirements of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speeds.

While most subscribers are meeting the 100 Mbps download speed threshold, median upload speeds are just 14.84 Mbps. Latency, or the time it takes data to travel from one point to another, remains relatively high at 45 milliseconds (ms), compared to the recommended 20 ms or lower for activities like online gaming.

Despite these concerns, Starlink continues to expand its reach. In October 2024, the service started offering free equipment to residents in its “hardest-to-reach locations.” Brian Allenby, a senior director with the Maine Connectivity Authority, stated that there are no immediate concerns about Starlink hitting the 100/20 Mbps benchmark, citing granular reporting through the Starlink portal as compliant. The Starlink experience varies significantly depending on location.

Starlink’s speed improvements analyzed

In the Pacific Northwest, the company has taken steps to combat congestion in high-use areas. In states with more available capacity, Starlink has been offering free equipment. Ookla’s analysis found that states offering free Starlink dishes, except for West Texas and Alaska, had median download speeds exceeding 100 Mbps.

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South Dakota, Rhode Island, and Wyoming had the highest percentage of customers meeting the 100/20 Mbps benchmark, while Alaska, Mississippi, and Louisiana had the lowest. As Starlink continues to improve its service and expand its capacity, it remains to be seen whether it can consistently meet and surpass the FCC’s minimum requirements across the board.

kirstie_sands
Journalist at DevX

Kirstie a technology news reporter at DevX. She reports on emerging technologies and startups waiting to skyrocket.

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