Starlink Vs Fiber: Is Fiber Better than Starlink?

About Starlink vs Fiber. It’s always challenging to choose between two excellent internet services. 

Such a scenario is usually the case for people with access to Starlink and Fiber. Both are excellent and deliver top-notch speeds, while their reliability is guaranteed. 

But, they apply different technologies to deliver internet service to end users. So how does each of the services work, and given the two, which is the better option? 

Join us in this elaborate guide as we tell it all about Starlink vs Fiber internet services. 

What is Fibre Internet?

Fiber internet is among the latest transmission technologies that promise exemplary speeds and low latency. 

At their core are extremely thin strands of glass that carry data in the form of light waves/lasers. Hence, data transmission as packets of light ensures it moves at a superfast speed.  

Moreover, the fiber cables can carry a significantly high volume of data, which in turn boosts the bandwidth. 

What makes this possible is bundling numerous individual cables into one big bundle. Other key upsides of fiber internet are 

• Assured symmetrical data speeds (The upload speed for fiber is almost the same as the download speeds). It is unusual as most internet services have a relatively lower upload speed. 
• Excellent value for money– The Internet is cheap for a service with exemplary efficiency. 

Despite these upsides, Fiber infrastructure is unavailable in rural and remote places. Hence, it is a reserve for those in urban and metropolitan setups. 

Starlink vs Fibre: Technologies

Fiber Technology

Fiber optic cables. 

Unlike the typical cable internet, which uses coaxial copper cables, Fiber internet utilizes fiber optics.

 There’s a significant difference in how these two operate despite applying cables for transmission. 

Primarily, fiber internet cables constitute closely packed glass with optimal refractive index. The outcome of this setup is an excellent transmission of data as packets of light.

 Mind you, the data travels almost at the speed of light, hence the superfast speeds of fiber internet. 

Also, burying fiber cables below the surface is common practice. Its role is to limit interruptions during transmission. Hence, it is not prone to weather or human/animal interference. 

Starlink Technology

A telecommunication satellite in space. 

The basic setup of Starlink is that of a ground tower sending signals to thousands of satellites in space.

 In turn, the satellites link up with the receivers of the individual Starlink subscribers at home or workplaces. 

However, Starlink is primarily unique from other satellite internet providers such as HughesNet and Viasat. 

The two have a few massive satellites situated thousands of miles high. In contrast, Starlink has thousands of smaller satellites very close to the Earth’s surface. 

The outcome is that Starlink’s internet is highly reliable (better speeds and latency than other satellite internet providers). 

Nonetheless, it still can’t match fiber internet’s efficiency, speed, and reliability.

Also, the Starlink technology is disadvantaged as it results in higher latency and relatively lower speeds than fiber. It also means weather changes affect the internet. 

Starlink vs Fibre: Coverage and Accessibility

Starlink Coverage and Accessibility

Satellites on Low Earth Orbit. 

If you’re looking for a vastly available internet service, look no further than Starlink. 

Starlink’s transmission is overhead, and with thousands of satellites in space, it covers a huge portion of the world. 

Therefore, it is immune to issues that ail fiber and cable internet transmission, such as terrain. 

Starlink covers even the deep seas where no other network is accessible. Also, it is the only internet connecting strongly in deserts, rural areas, and the remotest places on earth. 

But is it outright available to all customers? No. There’s a waitlist for new subscribers in areas where the demand is high. 

Starlink opts for the waitlist to allow room for the company to launch more satellites to serve the ballooning client base. 

Fiber Coverage and Accessibility

The Fiber Optic Technology. 

Fiber is not available in all locations, and this is fundamentally because of the necessary infrastructure to set it up.

 It requires laying the cable on the ground, limiting its accessibility to urban areas. 

Nonetheless, it is among the most reliable internet services. Grounding the cables shields them from interruptions. 

Starlink vs. Fibre: Speed and Latency

A Technician Installing Fiber Optic Lines. 

Speed

The optimal Starlink download speeds are 220 Mbps, although Starlink promises they will rise once the satellite constellation fills up. 

Fiber internet is exemplary in speed, with downloads reaching up to 1Gbps. In practice, there are fiber service providers with better rates, such as AT&T Fiber and Ziply Fiber. They have speeds of 5 and 10 Gbps, respectively. 

Latency

Starlink’s latency is understandably high at 20 to 60 ms, all because of its type of technology. 

Fiber has a better latency of below 17 ms; thus, it is more suited to online gaming and video streaming than Starlink. 

Starlink vs. Fibre: Price

A technician maintains fiber optic lines. 

Starlink Internet is generally pricey, irrespective of the internet plan, and this is fundamentally because of the equipment cost. For instance, US customers on the Residential plan must spend $599 for the kit. 

Next, they’ll need to pay the monthly service charges of $120. The fees for the other packages are even higher. 

For instance, Starlink Business customers will spend $2,500 on the kit and pay up to $1,500 monthly for a 220 Mbps service. 

Fiber customers don’t incur these high costs as often; the service provider shoulders the charge of laying cables.

 The service monthly costs are also pretty low compared to Starlink’s. Check out the table below for a comparison of different service providers’ monthly rates. 

Which Fibre Providers are the Best?

Google Icon. 

Picking a reliable ISP is always a hassle, given the numerous providers dominating the market. 

But a reputable provider such as Google Fiber ought to be on your bucket list thanks to the exemplary service it offers.

 Its monthly rates range between $70 and $150 for an internet speed of 1 to 8Gbps.  

AT&T Fiber Internet is also dependable, although it is pricier than Google Fiber. They provide 300 to 5,000 Mbps at $35 to $250, respectively. 

Conclusion

If you’re still stuck on the best internet choice between Fiber and Starlink, here’s our parting shot: Pick Starlink only in a rural/remote place where Fiber internet is unavailable. 

But if both services are accessible, as is the case for urban dwellers, Fiber internet is the best bet.