About Starlink Latency vs Geosynchronous: As you may already know, satellite internet dominates rural regions due to its excellent reach and performance.
However, satellite internet has hiccups, such as fluctuating speeds and high latency, especially for gaming and other real-time activities.
The good news is that, unlike other ISPs who use geosynchronous satellites, Starlink uses LEO satellites to lower its latency.
In today’s article, I have reached out about Starlink latency vs geosynchronous one to help understand them well.
Starlink Internet vs Geosynchronous
Let’s first start with the definition of both terms:
Starlink Internet
Starlink is a SpaceX company launched in 2019 to offer fast internet in remote and underserved areas.
It launched its satellites in the low earth orbit (LEO) to ensure enhanced internet speed and reduced latency.
So far, the company has launched nearly 5,000 satellites orbiting LEO, with 12,000 already approved by the FCC.
Starlink satleitte moving at night
Geosynchronous
Geosynchronous satellite refers to a satellite that has an orbital period that is equal to the earth’s rotation.
It features a geosynchronous equatorial orbit that coincides with the Earth’s equator.
Additionally, these satellites are 35786 km from the Earth’s surface and follow the same orbital direction as the Earth’s rotation.
They typically appear stationary if you observe them from the Earth. This phenomenon makes them excellent for communications because ground antennas do not have to track them.
For this reason, some popular networks such as Viasta and HughesNet use these GEO satellites to offer internet and TV services.
Starlink Internet vs. Geosynchronous: Latency
Stalink places its satellites in LEO, just 550km from the earth’s surface. This technology minimizes interference while reducing the signal travel distance, making sure the Starlink latency you experience is 20-40 ms latency.
Conversely, satellite ISPs like HughesNet use the GEO satellite with an altitude of more than 35,000km from the earth’s surface.
Due to this distance, internet service that uses GEO satellite experiences 500ms to 900ms latency, which is higher than Starlink’s.
Satellite orbiting the earth.
Starlink vs Geosynchrous: Speed
Typically, latency is the biggest determinant of the internet speed you receive. Another factor affecting your internet speed is the internet package you choose.
As you may know, Starlink packages experience the same speed of 50 to 250 Mbps for downloads and 5 to 25 Mbps for uploads.
In contrast, ISPs using GEO satellites such as Viasat have different internet plans with speeds between 5 to 100 Mbps.
Note that the internet speed you receive from all satellite ISPs fluctuates depending on the weather and network congestion.
Internet speed test
Starlink vs Geosynchrous: Pros and Cons
Starlink pros
- Low latency
- High speed
- Uses many satellites, which helps in rerouting in case one is defective
The Starlink cons
- It can cause space debris.
- Its satellite can only serve a small area, and there, it requires many satellites for large-area coverage, which can be expensive.
- Starlink can be affected by gravity due to its high orbital speed.
Geosynchronous satellite ISP’s pros
- A single GEO satellite can beam signals to ⅓ of the earth’s surface meaning.
- Ground stations do not have to track the satellite since it appears stationary.
Geosynchronous satellite ISP’s cons
- High latencies
- Low internet speed
Does Starlink Use Geosynchronous Satellite?
No, Starlink does not use Geosynchronous satellites. Instead, it uses Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, which are about 550 to 570 km from the surface of the Earth.
Unlike GEO satellites, which are stationary, the LEO Starlink satellite moves at 16,000 mph in space.
Conclusion
Now you know the advantages and disadvantages of Starlink and geosynchronous satellites.
According to my research and having used ISPs that use both satellites, I recommend Starlink for speed and low latency.
However, if you seek affordable internet for general household usage, ISPs that use GEO satellites such as Viasat are ideal.