Elon Musk’s Starlink space internet system brings 500Mbps to anywhere on Earth
If you live anywhere that doesn't have great, or any, internet connectivity then satellite internet is a trend you're gonna love.
Key takeaways
- SpaceX began launching its Starlink satellites into space back in 2019, seeking to establish a network of satellites that beam high-speed internet back to Earth to offer connectivity across the globe.
- Upload speeds have also been doubled from 10 to 20 Mbps to 20 to 40 Mbps.
- SpaceX says the first deliveries will take place in the second quarter of this year.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2022) 'Elon Musk’s Starlink space internet system brings 500Mbps to anywhere on Earth', 311 Institute, 7 February. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/elon-musks-starlink-space-internet-system-brings-500mbps-to-anywhere-on-earth/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
The world of communications is being both transformed and disrupted by the arrival of technologies such as 5G, with 6G in development, and space based constellations of satellites like Elon Musk’s StarLink system that can now deliver fast broadband to anywhere on the planet.
After multiple successful field trials and speed tests, and as it continues to build out its constellation of satellites designed to blanket the Earth in high-speed broadband, SpaceX have just announced a new premium version of its Starlink internet. Using a bigger antenna high end users will soon be able to tap into much faster download speeds, though they can expect to pay a pretty penny for the service.
SpaceX began launching its Starlink satellites into space back in 2019, seeking to establish a network of satellites that beam high-speed internet back to Earth to offer connectivity across the globe. There are now almost 1,800 of them in action as the company rapidly expands its coverage, though not without controversy as astronomers increasingly find their observations contaminated by bright streaks of light as the satellites are blasted into space.
Standard Starlink users are able to tap into download speeds of 50 to 250 Mbps with 20 to 40 ms latency, while Starlink Premium users will have access to download speeds of 150 to 500 Mbps at the same latency, according to SpaceX. Upload speeds have also been doubled from 10 to 20 Mbps to 20 to 40 Mbps.
SpaceX says the Premium service is designed for improved performance in extreme weather, and is aiming it at high-demand users who it says will experience "bandwidth for critical operations even during times of peak network usage." Users will also have access to 24/7 prioritized support, and as with the standard service, there are no contracts or data caps.
It will cost a great deal more than the standard service, however, at $500 a month compared to $99. There is also a $2,500 upfront fee for the antenna and other hardware, five times the $499 setup cost of the standard plan. SpaceX says the first deliveries will take place in the second quarter of this year.
Source: SpaceX
What this means for your organisation
Satellite broadband is now a real option.
Standard Starlink users get 50 to 250 Mbps. Premium users get 150 to 500 Mbps, with the same 20 to 40 ms latency. With almost 1,800 satellites in action, 311 rates Satellite Internet as Prepare, with wide use by 2030.
Resilience becomes a reason to buy.
SpaceX says Premium is built for better performance in extreme weather, with 24/7 prioritised support and no contracts or data caps. This fits the shift in OTT Broadband, where homes and offices swap cable and fibre lines for 5G and satellite. 311 rates that trend as Explore, with wide use by 2031.
Watch the limits and the side effects.
First Premium deliveries are due in the second quarter of this year, and it is aimed at high-demand users. Astronomers also report bright streaks from the satellites in their observations. Launch costs have fallen about 96% since 1960, so more players can reach orbit and the build-out will likely continue.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our sites have poor or no connectivity today?
- Could satellite broadband act as a backup to our main line?
- Who owns our connectivity risk during extreme weather?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
If you live anywhere that doesn't have great, or any, internet connectivity then satellite internet is a trend you're gonna love.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- Premium starlink.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 7 February 2022. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2022). Elon Musk’s Starlink space internet system brings 500Mbps to anywhere on Earth. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/elon-musks-starlink-space-internet-system-brings-500mbps-to-anywhere-on-earth/
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