SpaceX Starlink to Launch Antenna Five Times Faster Than Current Ones

SpaceX is developing a new Starlink antenna designed to transmit data at speeds of up to 1 Gbps, more than five times faster than current rates approaching 200 Mbps. To achieve this, SpaceX will need to upgrade its Starlink satellite constellation to accommodate a wider spectrum of frequencies for its satellite internet system.

The proposed improvements should increase the data transfer speeds of the Starlink system, which will allow it to compete with terrestrial fiber-optic networks. SpaceX may release a gigabit antenna later this year, but much depends on the successful deployment of the third-generation V3 Starlink satellite constellation. The company is currently awaiting approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the proposed upgrades.

SpaceX also announced an updated flat, high-performance Starlink antenna for enterprise customers. In connection with this, the company has already reduced the price of the previous-generation antenna from $2,499 to $1,499 in an effort to sell off inventory. Another model is also reportedly in the works, which could replace the $499 Starlink Mini antenna.

Image source: Spacex

Satellite communications experts expect that customers will need new equipment to access gigabit speeds, as current Starlink terminals do not support additional radio bands. However, they say that even planned upgrades to the Starlink network could result in faster and more stable signals for owners of older equipment.

«Starlink is also asking the FCC to allow it to relax the power limits that apply to its existing Ku-band links, and to allow satellites to operate at lower altitudes and lower elevation angles, said satellite industry analyst Tim Farrar. “This would increase the capacity of existing Ku-band antennas, and by consolidating multiple terminals, it would be possible to achieve gigabit downlink speeds.”

In November 2024, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell promised that Starlink speeds would reach 2 Gbps and latency would be significantly reduced. SpaceX will likely initially offer gigabit internet to corporate customers, and later it will become available to private users.