Countries Served and Start Years

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, provides satellite internet to over 100 countries and territories as of September 2024. Below is a list of select countries with their debut years for Starlink service, based on available data:

• United States (including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands): November 2020
• Canada: January 2021
• United Kingdom: January 2021
• Germany: March 2021
• New Zealand: April 2021
• Australia: April 2021
• France: May 2021
• Austria: May 2021
• Netherlands: May 2021
• Belgium: May 2021
• Nigeria: February 2023
• Mozambique: 2023
• Kenya: 2023
• Malawi: 2023
• Zambia: 2023
• Benin: 2023
• Eswatini: 2023
• Fiji: May 2024
• Bangladesh: May 2024
• India: Expected 2025 (pending regulatory approval)

Additional countries include much of Europe, South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Some countries, like Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, are listed as “Coming Soon,” while others, such as Russia, China, Cuba, and North Korea, are not currently planned for service.

Launch History

Starlink’s development and deployment milestones:

• 2015: SpaceX announced plans for a satellite internet constellation.
• 2018: FCC granted SpaceX a license for the Starlink Generation 1 network.
• May 2019: First 60 Starlink satellites launched.
• October 2020: Beta testing began in select regions.
• November 2020: Commercial service launched in the USA, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands.
• 2021: Expanded to Canada, UK, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, and more.
• 2022: Reached 1 million subscribers by December.
• 2023: Expanded to Africa (starting with Nigeria), hitting 2 million subscribers by September.
• 2024: Surpassed 4 million subscribers by September, with over 7,000 satellites in orbit.
• 2025: By June, Starlink had over 5.7 million subscribers, launching 242 satellites monthly, with over 9,000 satellites in orbit, aiming for 12,000 and potentially 34,400.

Key milestones include achieving cash-flow positivity in 2022 and small profits in 2023, despite a $1.4 billion revenue and net loss in 2022. Regulatory challenges persist in countries like India and South Africa.

How Starlink Works

Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency internet via a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites at ~550 km altitude, unlike geostationary satellites at 35,786 km. The process:

1. Satellite Network: Thousands of satellites with phased array antennas and laser links transmit data, reducing ground station dependency.
2. Ground Infrastructure: Fiber-connected ground stations relay data to satellites.
3. User Equipment: Customers use a Starlink kit (dish, mount, Wi-Fi router, cables). The dish connects to satellites with a clear sky view, and the router distributes internet.
4. Data Transmission: Offers 25–220 Mbps download speeds (typically >100 Mbps) and 25–60 ms latency, supporting streaming, gaming, and video calls.

The plug-and-play system requires no in-home wiring, ideal for remote areas. Dishes are weather-resistant, handling snow, heat, and rain.

Competitors

Starlink competes with satellite and terrestrial providers:

1. OneWeb (Eutelsat): 634 LEO satellites at 1,200 km, targeting businesses with higher latency.
2. Amazon’s Project Kuiper: Plans 3,232 satellites, with service expected by 2025.
3. Viasat: Geostationary satellites with higher latency (450–700 ms) and data caps.
4. HughesNet: Geostationary-based, slower speeds, and higher latency.
5. China’s Qianfan/Guowang: Aiming for 15,000 and 13,000 satellites, respectively, but face launch challenges.
6. AST SpaceMobile: Focuses on satellite-to-mobile connectivity.
7. Globalstar/Iridium: Satellite phone and low-speed data services.
8. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA): 5G providers like Verizon and T-Mobile offer high-speed internet but require cell tower proximity.

Fiber and 5G dominate urban areas but lack Starlink’s remote coverage.

Features

Starlink’s key features:

• High-Speed Internet: 25–220 Mbps download, >100 Mbps typical, with plans to double speeds.
• Low Latency: 25–60 ms, suitable for gaming and video calls.
• Unlimited Data: No caps, unlike Viasat or HughesNet.
• Global Coverage: Over 100 countries, with ongoing expansion.
• Portability: Starlink Mini and Roam plans ($50–$165/month) for mobile use.
• Direct-to-Cell: 663+ satellites support texting, with voice/data planned for 2025 (T-Mobile partnership).
• Weather Resistance: Dishes operate in -22°F to 122°F, with snow-melting capabilities.
• Astronomy Mitigation: DarkSat coatings and VisorSat sunshades reduce satellite brightness.
• Easy Setup: Two-step installation with a Starlink app for optimal dish placement.
• Enterprise Use: Supports airlines, cruise lines, and emergency services (e.g., 2020 Washington wildfires).

Additional Notes

• Cost: US residential plans cost $120/month, with hardware at $349. Some areas have $100–$500 congestion fees.
• Challenges: Regulatory hurdles (e.g., South Africa, India), geopolitical concerns, and astronomer complaints about satellite brightness.
• Future Plans: Marslink for interplanetary connectivity and continued satellite launches.