So, you’re on holiday at a country cabin in Australia, right? And when you pick up your laptop to video call your mates or watch HD streaming, you realise that your regular internet connection just isn’t cutting it. That’s where Starlink comes in. But how fast is Starlink in Australia? Will it meet your needs? This article is going to look at Starlink’s speed performance in Australia and whether it’s a good internet service to consider.
How fast is Starlink internet in Australia?
Average Download/Upload Speeds
Starlink provides download speeds in Australia, from 25Mbps up to an astounding 270 Mbps! Most customers are experiencing speeds in excess of 100 Mbps! Upload speeds differ among packages but typically range between 5Mbps to 25Mbps.
According to Australia’s Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), average download Starslink speed all day was around 192Mbps but decreased during the evening peak hours down to 165.5 during peak hours (Sunday 7pm to 11pm), upload speeds remain constant at 28.6Mbps throughout.
Latency: Gaming & Video Calls
Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites can reduce latency to between 25ms and 60ms compared to traditional satellite services, significantly better than any traditional service available today. ACCC experts observed an average latency of 29.8 milliseconds which compares favorably against NBN Sky Muster which offers an average latency of 664.9 milliseconds; making Starlink an excellent solution for real time applications such as online gaming and video conferencing.
Factors Affecting Starlink Speed in Australia
Network Congestion
Just like regular internet services, Starlink speeds can go up and down depending on how many people are using it at once. During busy times, like in the evening when lots of people are streaming or playing games, the network can get pretty slow. In cities where more people are using Starlink, speeds can drop from around 200 Mbps to about 100 Mbps or less because of too many people using it at once.
Satellite Coverage & Availability
Starlink uses a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, and the coverage can vary depending on your location. In some remote areas of Australia, users might experience speed drops now and then if there aren’t many satellites in the sky. But, the more satellites that are put into orbit, the better the coverage and performance will get. In inland areas like Alice Springs, where there are fewer satellites than in coastal cities, users might see brief interruptions or speed changes as the satellites move around in the sky.
Weather
Bad weather can mess with Starlink, especially heavy rain, thunderstorms and thick cloud. You will get slower speeds or temporary outages during tropical storms, as the signal has trouble getting through thick cloud and high frequency signals get weaker in the air.
Obstructions
Things like trees, buildings and even chimneys can sometimes get in the way of the Starlink signal, so it’s important to make sure there’s a clear line of sight to the sky so that it doesn’t affect the Starlink internet.
Equipment & Dish Placement
If you install and position the Starlink dish properly, you can get the best speeds. Put it on the roof or in an open area if you can, as these spots can sometimes perform better than a balcony or near a wall. One telecommuter in Tasmania managed to boost his speed by 50% by raising the dish on a pole, away from a nearby shed that was partially blocking the sky.
Service Plan & Data Usage
Starlink has different service plans on offer, and how important your data is affects how fast your connection is. If you use more data than your allowance, you will find your speeds are slower than those of higher-priority business customers.
Network Interference
If you’ve got other electronic devices or wireless signals nearby, they can sometimes mess with Starlink’s performance. And if you’ve got a lot of Wi-Fi networks all jammed together, that can also lead to latency problems. But no worries, you can still keep your video calls and games smooth by just moving your router around a bit and using Ethernet connections for the devices that really need it.
Power Stability & Consumption
The Starlink power consumption is about 50-100W, so if there’s a power cut, you will lose connection for a bit. But having a backup power supply won’t make Starlink work any better. It’s just there to stop Starlink cutting out in the event of a power cut. If you’re out in the middle of nowhere, you can use a backup power supply like the EcoFlow 800W alternator charger to keep your Starlink antenna and router going during power outages, so you never miss a beat with your internet.
How can Starlink speed in Australia be improved?
You can improve your Starlink internet speed with a few simple measures.
- Use Starlink during off-peak hours: There are more people online in the evening, which can make the internet slow. If you can, try to schedule big downloads, software updates or cloud backups for early in the morning or late at night.
- Check Starlink satellite visibility: Use the Starlink app’s “Check for Obstructions” tool to see if your area has clear access to satellites.
- Consider a weatherproof cover for the dish: The Starlink satellite dish has a built-in snow-melting function, but heavy rain, storms or thick cloud cover can still affect its performance. While you can’t change the weather, placing the dish in the clearest, most open area you can will help.
- Relocate the dish to an open area: Make sure the Dishy has a clear 360° view of the sky, and that there’s not too much interference from trees, buildings or other stuff in the way.
- Mount the dish higher: If you can’t avoid obstacles, think about putting the Dishy on the roof or using an extension pole to raise it above anything that might get in the way.
- Regularly clean the dish: Dust, bird droppings or debris can affect performance, so it’s a good idea to give the antenna a clean with water and a soft cloth now and then.
- Use a stable power source: If you’re in a place without a steady power supply, you might find that power fluctuations can cause signal interruptions. One thing you could do to get a stable power supply in off-grid areas is to think about getting a backup battery system or an EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger.
- Check if you are on the right plan: Starlink has different plans, with priority data plans offering better speeds in busy areas.
- Monitor data usage: If your speeds drop after using a lot, you might have gone over the limit for priority data. You can save data by managing downloads and streaming at a lower resolution.
- Upgrade your router: The standard Starlink router is good enough for most people, but if you upgrade to a high-performance Wi-Fi 6 router, you’ll get better coverage and speed.
- Change Wi-Fi channels: If you’re in a busy area, switching to a less crowded Wi-Fi channel in the router settings can reduce interference from neighbouring networks.
Boost Speed with These Starlink Accessories
Power Solutions
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Portable Power Station: This high-capacity battery system provides a steady power supply to your Starlink antenna and router, preventing drops in speed or disconnections due to voltage fluctuations.
- Perfect for rural areas, remote work, and camping.
- Supports fast charging via solar panel, AC power, or car chargers.
- Provides long-lasting power to Starlink and other devices.
High-Performance Routers & Adapters
Wi-Fi 6 Routers: Powerful routers like the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 or Netgear Nighthawk AX5400 can handle multiple devices with lower latency and faster speeds.
Mesh Wi-Fi systems: If you need better coverage in a large property, a mesh system like Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro or TP-Link Deco X90 can extend the reach of Starlink.
Starlink Ethernet adapter: The official Starlink Ethernet adapter lets you hook up wired devices directly, which reduces latency and makes things more stable.
Weatherproofing Kits
Starlink rain and snow cover: These Starlink accessories are designed to stop water building up on the dish and losing signal in bad weather.
Heavy-duty mounting pole and tripod: For users in windy areas, the reinforced mounting pole makes sure the dish stays stable and correctly aligned.
De-icing solution: If used in colder regions, the dish heater attachment or insulation cover stops snow building up and keeps signal strength strong.
Final Thoughts
Starlink is great for getting online no matter where you are in Australia. It’s fast, reliable and can help you stay connected, even when the network is a bit busy or the weather isn’t cooperating. You can still enjoy a smooth gaming experience and HD video calls, even if you’re in a remote area. So, how fast is Starlink in Australia? It’s fast enough for most people, especially if you’re tired of dealing with slow internet. If you’re after a reliable satellite internet solution, Starlink could well be the one for you.
FAQs
Does Starlink work during storms in Australia?
No, although Starlink is designed to withstand a variety of weather conditions, including heavy rain, snow and hail, users may experience temporary service interruptions during storms or major solar events.
Can I improve my Starlink internet speed?
Yes, you can. To boost the speed of your Starlink connection, you need to place the dish where there are no obstructions to the signal. In addition, you can use a high-quality third-party router to enhance network performance and coverage.
Is Starlink worth it for city users?
Starlink offers super-fast satellite internet, but its main service doesn’t have much of a terrestrial infrastructure in rural and remote areas, which is where the NBN comes in. In cities, the NBN’s fibre-optic connection usually provides a stable speed that can actually be faster than Starlink. And the NBN plan is more affordable than Starlink’s pricing structure, with lower installation and monthly fees. So, for city folk who can get the NBN, Starlink doesn’t really stand a chance.
How much power does Starlink use daily?
The typical power usage of a regular Starlink model is between 50 and 75 watts when it’s on and 20 watts when it’s off. That’s about 1.2 to 1.8 kilowatt hours (kWh) over 24 hours. The high-performance models use even more power, with an average power consumption of between 110 and 150 watts and a daily power consumption of around 2.6 to 3.6 kWh.
Is Starlink Internet Good in Australia?
In Australia, Starlink can be a great option, especially if you’re in a remote area with unreliable internet. It offers an alternative to spotty connections, providing potentially more stable and accessible internet for those in hard-to-reach locations.