Reviews Report
- Starlink, a satellite internet service by SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, reported over 4 million customers globally with service in 100+ countries and territories as of 2025.
- The primary focus is delivering high-speed internet to underserved and rural areas. Availability has expanded significantly; users should verify address-level status on the coverage map (Available, Waitlist, or Coming Soon).
- In the U.S., pricing for the Standard Kit is approximately $599 upfront, with a monthly fee of around $120 for Standard service. Prices and plans vary by region.
Starlink’s mission is to revolutionize satellite internet, especially for rural areas lacking connectivity. Elon Musk, known for Tesla and SpaceX, drives this vision, providing high-speed internet to remote locations. In 2025, SpaceX/Starlink said the service surpassed over 4 million customers worldwide, with availability in 100+ countries and territories. Starlink’s growth is evident through its increasing customer base.
Elon Musk’s New Starlink Internet: What You Need to Know
SpaceX, led by Musk, aimed to revolutionize space technology and built Starlink into a global satellite internet network. It entered the satellite internet arena with Starlink services. Today, Starlink offers Standard (home), Priority (Business), and Mobility plans with region-specific pricing. Its mission is clear: provide high-speed internet to rural homes lacking access. Though the FCC denied a provisional ~$885 million award in 2022, a federal appeals court vacated that denial in Dec 2024 and remanded the matter; Starlink remains undeterred, continuing its expansion and evolving service offerings.
The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase I totals roughly $9.2 billion over 10 years to expand broadband in unserved areas. Despite the earlier denial, the Dec 2024 court remand returned Starlink’s $885.5 million provisional award to the FCC for further proceedings; funds are not reinstated unless approved on remand. The FCC also updated its broadband benchmark to 100/20 Mbps in 2024. You can check the coverage map for immediate ordering, with some areas still on Waitlist or Coming Soon.
Starlink’s evolution means constant improvements. A tweet from Musk highlighted ongoing upgrades, and Starlink’s plan pages currently list typical Standard downloads of about 25–100 Mbps with roughly 25–60 ms latency, while Priority tiers can sustain higher throughput during congestion. Independent tests in 2024 commonly found median downloads in the 50–100+ Mbps range with ~40–60 ms latency; results vary by location, plan, and network load.
How Does Starlink Work?
Starlink’s satellite internet connects a home-based user terminal or “dish” to satellites in low Earth orbit. The data travels between the dish and satellite, then to a ground gateway connected to the internet via terrestrial fiber backhaul. This setup ensures optimal connectivity.
Starlink also leverages a space-based laser-link mesh, enhancing pathing during congestion or adverse weather. Newer Gen2/V2‑Mini satellites increase capacity, and Starlink is deploying Direct‑to‑Cell capability that connects standard phones outdoors for basic service where supported. Thousands of satellites reduce latency, offering tens of milliseconds compared to geostationary options.
Starlink Internet Speeds
Starlink lists typical Standard (home) speeds of about 25–100 Mbps down with roughly 25–60 ms latency. Business/Priority and Mobile Priority tiers provide higher throughput (often up to 220 Mbps) and traffic priority during congestion. While Starlink trails fiber-optic ISPs, it surpasses other satellite services like HughesNet and Viasat in speed and latency.
Notably, Starlink imposes no hard data caps on most plans. However, traffic may be deprioritized during congestion, with Business/Priority plans offering Priority Data for more consistent performance.
Starlink’s Price
In the U.S., Starlink’s Standard service is priced around $120 per month, with a $599 upfront cost for the Standard Kit. Prices and plans vary by region, with different options for Business/Priority, Mobility, and more. For precise rates, visit Starlink’s live plan pages.
Starlink Preorders
Starlink is widely available, with many areas open for immediate orders. By checking your service-address cell on the coverage map, you can determine availability. Starlink no longer requires a preorder deposit; customers purchase hardware when ordering in an Available cell. Many Mobile plans can be paused and resumed month-to-month.
Starlink’s reach exceeded over 4 million customers worldwide in 2025, with availability in 100+ countries and territories, and expansion ongoing.
Will Starlink Be Worth It?
For rural areas, Starlink provides a vital high-speed internet option, addressing an unmet need. While it may not match fiber or high-end cable providers, its speeds and latency are superior to other satellite options. For consistent throughput during peak times, consider Priority tiers with Priority Data.
Starlink FAQ
Image Credit: SOPA Images / Getty Images
