What is Starlink Latency? In 2019, SpaceX found an innumerable strategy to improve the internet service provision by introducing Starlink.
So far, Starlink has revolutionized the industry by offering high-speed and reliable internet in remote areas. In addition to the speed, other factors like bearable maintenance cost, installation process, and price range have put the ISP on the map.
Another important aspect of any satellite internet is the latency. So, what is Starlink latency, to be specific? We hope you grasp the definition, specifications, and other relevant latency information as we explore today’s subject.
What is Latency?
First and foremost, let us understand what latency is. Generally, latency is the total time an internet signal travels to and from a work facility to its remote server (e.g., a satellite).
Though unfamiliar to most users, it is one of the internet speed measures (besides bandwidth).
To some degree, you can liken latency and bandwidth to internet speed, even though they distinctly impact your virtual experience.
(Fast internet connection in a bandwidth network technology)
Factors determining latency
They include:
- Total network machines/devices: Currently, Starlink has 92 operational ground stations linked through Points of Presence (PoPs).
- Transmission medium: Air and vacuum account for minimal latency disruptions. It explains why satellites are in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) since the only medium signals travel through is air. As such, placing your dish in a clear view of the sky is best.
- Congestion in the network.
- Distance coverage: As of 2023, SpaceX has deployed 1,635 operational satellites out of 11,914 planned satellites. The launched satellites are in the LEO at 540km and 570km.
(The Starlink satellites in the lower orbit)
- Self-adjusting Starlink dishes: This self-positioning technology has allowed any dish to spin and tilt towards satellites with the best signals.
Starlink latency is the time taken full circle for signal transmission between the satellite and the user.
Starlink Latency Specs
The Starlink latency specifications are as follows:
| Service package | Expected upload speeds in Mbps | Expected download speeds in Mbps | Latency in ms | Service availability |
| RV/Best Effort | 2-10 | 5-50 | 25-50 | ≥99% |
| Business | 8-25 | 40-220 | 25-50 | ≥99% |
| Standard | 5-15 | 20-100 | 25-50 | ≥99% |
Starlink’s Latency: Real Life Results
| Tests done | Latency |
| Latency on average | 48ms |
| Latency when traffic is high | 100ms |
| Latency when traffic is low | 20ms |
| Rated latency | 20-40ms |
Averagely speaking, Starlink has approximately 48ms in the table above. Luckily, the value falls under the specifications. It is usually high due to network load and server variables.
Nevertheless, you can decently use it for casual gaming. Professional gaming may not effectively suffice here, but the 20-40ms may be fine.
Starlink’s Latency VS Competitors
Normally, other satellite internet providers like Viasat and HughesNet have medial latency of 631ms and 716ms, respectively. The high ping is due to having their satellites in the geosynchronous orbit 35,000km further than Starlink’s LEO.
Under normal circumstances, an average latency is about 600ms. A latency of about 550ms takes an eternity to achieve signal transmission between satellites and users.
Conversely, a fiber or cable-based internet has a lower latency than Starlink. For the most part, their latency is 14-15ms with a 115.22Mbps.
However, we can argue that Starlink had no business competing with ISPs in urban and suburban areas.
If anything, its primary target users were those in rural areas who struggled with DSL connections and dial-up modems with poor speeds.
(Cabled plugged into a Wi-Fi wireless router)
The comparison table below summarizes the differences.
| Internet Service Provider | Download speeds | Latency |
| Cable – Xfinity internet | Upto 200 Mbps | 30-70ms |
| Cable – Spectrum internet | Upto 300 Mbps | 30-70ms |
| Cellular – 5G | Upto 10 Gbps | 20-30ms |
| Cellular – 4G | Upto 100 Mbps | 20-30ms |
| Fiber – Google fiber | 1 Gbps | 10-16ms |
| Fiber – AT&T fiber | 300 Mbps – 5 Gbps | 10-15ms |
| Satellite – HughesNet | 25 Mbps | 600-900ms |
| Satellite – Viasat | 25 – 250 Mbps | 500-800ms |
| Starlink | Between 50-500 Mbps | 20-40ms |
How to Fix Latency for Starlink Connections
Undeniably, an unsteady latency is rarely in your control since it depends on obstacles and distance between the server and the user.
Nonetheless, there are a few tips you can use to enhance its performance.
Close background services and apps
Sometimes, background services and applications consume much bandwidth, causing higher latency and slower speeds. Thus, if you’re about to use the internet, ensure you halt the activities in the background services and apps.
Switch to Ethernet
A wireless connection using Wi-Fi to connect your device might be convenient. Unfortunately, it’ll lead to unstable and slow speeds.
To combat this problem, have a wired connection using a LAN cable/ethernet to plug into your internet. The result will be a more stable ping and speeds.
(LAN internet network cable)
Curb obstructions
Physical obstructions like tall trees and buildings can increase latency and affect internet speeds.
You can reduce the obstructions by cutting or trimming trees, mounting your dish on a chimney or tower, or locating a good installation area via the obstruction feature.
The end goal here is getting a clear sky view.
(Starlink dish)
Conclusion
All in all, there are various ways to assess the efficiency of a satellite internet. One way of doing that is by checking for low latency.
Annihilating latency is virtually impossible, but despite the challenge, Starlink is working even harder to reduce it to lower manageable levels.
If you pay for a Starlink premium package, your latency will range from 20 to 40 ms. This way, you can enjoy virtual activities like video calling, streaming, zoom meetings, or online gaming.