As global connectivity rapidly expands, the satellite internet market is buzzing with activity. According to Ookla’s latest data, some experts anticipate a staggering 58,000 satellites in Earth’s orbit by 2030—a 725% increase from 2023. With fresh data for Q2 2023 at hand, Ookla offers a deep dive into the performance of satellite internet providers, including SpaceX’s Starlink, in Africa, Europe, and Oceania.
Starlink’s Skyrocketing Net Promoter Score
Net Promoter Score (NPS) serves as an industry-standard metric for gauging customer loyalty. Ookla used their Speedtest Intelligence® to evaluate Starlink’s NPS against the aggregate of all fixed broadband providers. The data revealed that Starlink users in France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and the U.K. had a significantly higher NPS than their fixed broadband counterparts.
NPS ratings are categorized into Detractors (score 0-6), Passives (score 7-8), and Promoters (score 9-10). Starlink clearly dominated, with NPS scores like 48.83 in New Zealand compared to the aggregate score of -20.40.
Striking Speeds Across Europe
Ookla’s survey covered 27 European countries and found that Starlink had median download speeds exceeding 100 Mbps in 14 of them. More notably, Starlink outperformed the aggregate of all fixed broadband providers in 11 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, and the U.K. The speeds were particularly striking in Croatia and Greece, where Starlink achieved 94.41 Mbps and 108.97 Mbps, respectively, against 45.24 Mbps and 44.09 Mbps from fixed broadband providers.
Stability Is the Name of the Game
Quarter-over-quarter analysis from Q1 to Q2 2023 indicates that Starlink’s median download speeds remained stable or improved in 23 countries. This consistency is crucial, given that Starlink had median download speeds greater than 100 Mbps in 14 countries, and greater than 90 Mbps in 20 countries.
The Lowdown on Upload Speeds and Latency
Starlink’s upload speeds mainly decreased year over year, except in the U.K., where it improved. However, Q2 2023 showed stabilization or improvement in 25 out of the 27 surveyed countries. In terms of latency, Starlink continues to excel due to its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) technology, achieving multi-server latencies under 60 ms in several countries, including the U.K. and Spain.
The Global Perspective
While Europe is a focal point, it’s worth noting that Starlink’s performance in other continents like Africa and Oceania is also promising. For instance, in Nigeria, Starlink boasted faster median download speeds (63.69 Mbps) than all aggregate fixed broadband providers combined (15.60 Mbps).
The Satellite Showdown
While Starlink leads in performance, it’s not the only player in the market. Amazon’s Project Kuiper is slated for a prototype launch this fall, and the EU has a €6 billion multi-orbit constellation project underway. Viasat and Skylogic offer alternative solutions, albeit at slower speeds.
Final Thoughts
Starlink’s consistent and high-speed performance, coupled with soaring customer loyalty, makes it a formidable contender in the satellite internet space. As the space revolution of 2023 unfolds, Starlink is not just keeping pace but often setting the speed. It’s not just a matter of numbers; for many users, especially in underserved or remote areas, Starlink is changing the game.
So, as we navigate through this era of burgeoning satellite internet services, one thing is clear: Starlink is more than just a name in the sky; it’s becoming a household name on Earth.
Read the full and very detailed report at Ookla here.
