Reliable broadband is still a challenge in many rural, coastal, and hard-to-reach parts of the UK and beyond.
That’s where Starlink, developed by SpaceX, comes in. Rather than relying on underground cables or nearby masts, Starlink delivers high-speed internet directly from space.
But how does it actually work?
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite-based internet service designed to provide fast, low-latency broadband almost anywhere on Earth. Instead of a small number of satellites positioned far above the planet, Starlink uses thousands of small satellites flying in low Earth orbit (LEO), typically around 550 km above the surface.
This lower altitude is key to how Starlink differs from traditional satellite internet.
The Core Components of the Starlink System
Starlink relies on three main elements working together seamlessly:
1. Low Earth Orbit Satellites
Starlink satellites constantly orbit the Earth in carefully coordinated paths. Because they are much closer to the ground than older geostationary satellites, data has a far shorter distance to travel. This dramatically reduces lag, making activities like video calls, streaming, and online gaming far more practical.
2. Ground Stations (Gateways)
Around the world, Starlink operates ground stations connected to the fibre-optic internet backbone. These gateways send data up to the satellites and receive data back from them, acting as a bridge between space and the wider internet.
3. The Starlink Dish (User Terminal)
Customers receive a small satellite dish, often nicknamed “Dishy”, which automatically aligns itself to track passing satellites. Once powered and connected, it communicates directly with the constellation overhead, switching between satellites as they move across the sky.
How Data Travels Through Starlink
When you load a webpage or stream a film, the process looks like this:
Your device sends data to the Starlink router.
The router passes the signal to the Starlink dish.
The dish beams the data up to the nearest Starlink satellite.
The satellite relays it to a ground station (or via other satellites).
The data reaches the internet and the response follows the same path back.
All of this happens in milliseconds, giving performance that often rivals fixed-line broadband.
Why Low Earth Orbit Matters
Traditional satellite internet services use geostationary satellites positioned around 35,000 km above Earth. While they cover large areas, the long distance causes noticeable delays.
Starlink’s low-orbit approach offers:
Lower latency (often 20–40 ms)
Higher speeds
More consistent connections
The trade-off is complexity: thousands of satellites are needed to ensure continuous coverage as each one moves rapidly across the sky.
Where Starlink is Most Useful
Starlink is particularly valuable for:
Rural and remote homes
Farms and isolated businesses
Coastal and island communities
Mobile users such as caravans, boats, and emergency services
In areas where fibre or reliable 4G/5G is unavailable or unstable, Starlink can be genuinely transformative.
Limitations and Considerations
While impressive, Starlink isn’t perfect:
Equipment costs are higher than many standard broadband packages
Performance can be affected by extreme weather
Clear sky visibility is important for best results
Even so, the system continues to improve as more satellites are launched and software is refined.
The Bigger Picture
Starlink represents a major shift in how internet infrastructure can be delivered—moving from ground-based networks to space-based ones. As the constellation grows and technology advances, satellite internet is becoming a serious, mainstream alternative rather than a last resort.
For many households and businesses previously left behind by traditional broadband, Starlink offers something genuinely new: fast, usable internet almost anywhere on Earth.
https://starlink.com
