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How does the latency of Starlink compare to wired internet, both currently and in the future?

Friday, August 11, 2023 | Chimniii Desk

 

Latency is the time it takes for a signal to travel from one point to another. In the context of internet, latency is the time it takes for a data packet to travel from your device to the internet server and back. Latency is measured in milliseconds (ms).

 

Traditional satellite internet has notoriously high latency. This is because the satellites that provide satellite internet are in geosynchronous orbit, which is about 36,000 kilometers above the Earth. This means that the signal has to travel a long distance, which adds to the latency.

 

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Starlink is a new satellite internet service from SpaceX. Starlink uses a constellation of satellites that are in low Earth orbit, which is about 550 kilometers above the Earth. This means that the signal has to travel a much shorter distance, which reduces the latency.

Current latency of Starlink ranges from 25 to 60 ms on land, and 100+ ms in certain remote locations. This is significantly lower than the latency of traditional satellite internet, but it is still higher than the latency of wired internet, which is typically around 10-20 ms.

 

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Future latency of Starlink is expected to be below 20 ms. SpaceX is working to reduce the latency of Starlink by using a constellation of more satellites in lower orbits. If they are successful, Starlink could have latency that is comparable to wired internet.

Comparison of latency of Starlink and wired internet:

Type of internet Latency
Traditional satellite internet 500+ ms
Starlink (current) 25-60 ms
Starlink (future) <20 ms
Wired internet 10-20 ms

As you can see, the latency of Starlink is already significantly lower than traditional satellite internet. And the latency of Starlink is expected to continue to improve in the future. This makes Starlink a viable option for people who need high-speed internet with low latency, such as gamers and businesses.

 

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In addition to low latency, Starlink also offers other advantages over traditional satellite internet, such as:

  • Faster speeds: Starlink can provide speeds up to 200 Mbps, which is much faster than traditional satellite internet.
  • More reliable: Starlink is less affected by weather than traditional satellite internet.
  • Global coverage: Starlink will eventually provide global coverage, while traditional satellite internet is only available in certain areas.

If you are looking for high-speed, reliable, and global internet with low latency, then Starlink is a good option to consider.

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