Starlink Global Availability and Impact Report

Introduction

SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service has rapidly expanded worldwide, now available in over 100 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and parts of South America thenationalnews.com. Since its beta launch in 2020, Starlink has amassed millions of subscribers (surpassing 4 million by late 2024) and deployed thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites en.wikipedia.org. Starlink offers several service types – Residential (standard home internet), Roam(portable/RV use), Business (priority service for enterprises), Maritime (for ships), and Aviation (for aircraft) – aiming to deliver high-speed connectivity even in remote areas without ground infrastructure. This report provides a country-by-country overview of where Starlink is active, the prior state of internet access in each country, and how Starlink’s arrival has impacted speeds, reliability, availability, and cost.

We include a summary table of Starlink availability by country and service type, followed by detailed sections for each country. Data from official Starlink releases, national regulators, and Speedtest.net (Ookla) analyses are cited to illustrate Starlink’s performance and effects. In general, Starlink download speeds range from ~50 Mbps up to 150+ Mbps, with most users seeing over 100 Mbps under good conditions thenationalnews.com. Latency is around 20–50 ms (far lower than traditional satellites but higher than fiber). Starlink’s monthly pricing varies by region – around $90–$120 in well-connected markets, but significantly discounted in developing regions to improve affordability (e.g. ~$30–$50 in parts of Africa) techlabari.com spaceinafrica.com. Below, we examine each country’s scenario in detail.

Summary of Starlink Availability by Country and Service Type

The table below lists all countries (and notable territories) where Starlink service is currently available as of mid-2025, along with the types of Starlink services offered in each. A ✔ indicates the service type is offered or permitted in that country. (Note: “Roam” refers to Starlink’s portable use on land, formerly “Starlink RV.” Maritime covers use in territorial waters; Aviation covers use on aircraft in the country’s airspace. In some countries, in-motion use on land is restricted by regulators – marked with * in notes.)

Table Notes: Virtually all countries with Starlink have the standard Residential service available. Starlink Business(Priority) is offered in most of these countries (marked ✔), especially where Starlink has obtained full licensing starlink.com starlink.com. Starlink Roam (RV) portable service is generally available wherever Starlink operates; however, a few regulators prohibit using the dish in motion on land (e.g. Japan, Mexico, Jordan, Malaysia) starlink.com – in those places, Starlink must be used only when stationary. Maritime service (for ships and boats) and Aviation service (for aircraft) are globally available via Starlink’s global mobility plans, but they require host countries to permit use in territorial waters or airspace. All countries listed have approved Starlink for maritime and airborne use (at least for vessels/planes registered there or operating under their jurisdiction). A handful of notable countries are still pending approval as of 2025 (e.g. India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, etc.), so Starlink is not yet officially available there thenationalnews.com thenationalnews.com.

Below, we provide detailed entries for each country (or territory) where Starlink is live, describing the services offered, the pre-Starlink internet landscape, and the impacts observed since Starlink’s introduction. Comparisons of internet speed and cost “before vs after Starlink” are included where data is available.

North America

United States 🇺🇸

Starlink Services: The United States was the first country to get Starlink, with public beta tests beginning in mid-2020 and a broader launch in October 2020 en.wikipedia.org. All Starlink service types are offered in the U.S. – Residentialservice for homes, Roam (portability) for RVs and traveling users, Starlink Business for enterprise with priority data, Maritime for boats/yachts (including coastal and international waters), and Aviation for in-flight connectivity. Being SpaceX’s home country, the U.S. has full regulatory approval; Starlink is available across the entire mainland, Hawaii, and Alaska, as well as U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands) en.wikipedia.org. In-motion use on land is allowed in the U.S., enabling Starlink RV and mobile units freely.

Pre-Starlink Internet: The U.S. has well-developed internet infrastructure in urban areas, with average fixed broadband download speeds around 150–200 Mbps in 2020–2022, and extensive 4G/5G mobile coverage. However, rural America faced significant gaps: many remote or sparsely populated regions relied on slow DSL lines, outdated satellite internet (e.g. ViaSat/HughesNet with ~25 Mbps down, high latency ~600 ms), or had no broadband at all. The digital divide left some rural communities with typical speeds often under 10 Mbps and limited data caps, while paying $50–$100 per month for subpar service. For example, before Starlink, rural users often struggled with <5 Mbps DSL or expensive legacy satellite (which could cost $100+ for 25 Mbps with high latency).

Impact of Starlink: Starlink has been a game-changer for rural and underserved areas in the U.S. Users in remote locations report going from virtually no service or 3–10 Mbps connections to ~50–150 Mbps with Starlink. Median Starlink download speeds in the U.S. have been measured around 65–70 Mbps (Q1 2023) newspaceeconomy.ca – lower than the national fixed broadband median (which is boosted by urban fiber/cable), but a huge improvement for areas without fiber or cable. Notably, Starlink’s low latency (~30–50 ms) enables real-time applications (videoconferencing, online gaming) that were impossible on older satellite links. A survey of customer satisfaction found Starlink’s rural users in the U.S. far more satisfied than typical broadband customers – Starlink earned a Net Promoter Score ~42 in non-metro areas vs –21 for average fixed-line ISPs, indicating rural Americans are enthusiastic about the service despite slightly lower speeds than urban fiber newspaceeconomy.ca. Starlink’s introduction has also pressured traditional rural ISPs to improve; some cable and telco providers started accelerating rural fiber builds or lowering wireless broadband prices in response to the new competition.

Cost-wise, Starlink residential service in the U.S. launched at $99/month (plus $599 for equipment), which is comparable to or a bit higher than average urban broadband bills. In 2022–2023, SpaceX introduced regional pricing, dropping the monthly fee to ~$90 in low-density areas to boost adoption. While not the cheapest option, for many remote households Starlink’s price is justified by the performance. The reliability has been generally good, though heavy rain/snow can momentarily affect the signal. Overall, Starlink has dramatically improved internet availability and speeds in rural America, enabling remote work, online schooling, telehealth and other digital services in places that previously lacked reliable internet. Government programs (like in Alaska and tribal areas) have even subsidized Starlink units to connect isolated communities news.ontario.ca ctvnews.ca. Starlink is now firmly established as part of the U.S. broadband landscape, especially outside cities.

Canada 🇨🇦

Starlink Services: Starlink became available in Canada in early 2021 en.wikipedia.org after regulatory approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). All service types are offered: Residential, Roam (including for the far north, where Starlink is often the only option), Business, Maritime, and Aviation. Starlink covers all of Canada’s provinces and remote northern territories. Notably, Starlink is the first high-speed option for many far-north communities (including Indigenous communities in the Arctic). Portable use is allowed, so users can take a Starlink kit to cabins or on the road across Canada.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Canada’s urban areas enjoy fast cable and fiber internet (urban average often 100–200 Mbps). However, rural and northern Canada long suffered from limited connectivity. In remote regions (northern Ontario, the Prairies, Yukon, Nunavut, etc.), infrastructure is sparse – many communities relied on slow satellite internet or point-to-point microwave links. Typical speeds in these remote areas were often <5 Mbps, and outages were common. Even in more populated rural areas, DSL at maybe 5–10 Mbps or fixed-wireless were common, with high latency and data caps. Internet via geostationary satellite in the far north was extremely expensive (hundreds of dollars per month for a few Mbps). The average monthly cost for internet in rural Canada tended to be high – easily CAD $100+ for sub-broadband speeds – due to the lack of competition and high transport costs.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink has significantly improved internet speeds and accessibility in rural Canada. By Q1 2023, Starlink was delivering a median download speed of ~94 Mbps in Canada newspaceeconomy.ca, making it the fastest satellite provider in North America at that time. This is about 40% faster than Starlink’s U.S. median speeds, possibly due to lower user density in Canada newspaceeconomy.ca. For remote northern users, Starlink’s ~50–150 Mbps performance is revolutionary compared to previous 1–5 Mbps links. Many Indigenous and First Nations communities have used Starlink to get online education, telehealth and e-government services for the first time. One report noted that Starlink was faster than all fixed broadband providers’ combined performance in rural Mexico (56.4 Mbps vs 50.5)– and similarly, in parts of Canada’s far north Starlink vastly outperforms any alternative newspaceeconomy.ca. Latency around 40 ms is a huge improvement over old satellite links (~600 ms), enabling interactive applications in remote schools and clinics.

Provincial governments have recognized Starlink’s value: Ontario even partnered with SpaceX in 2021–22 to subsidize Starlink for some remote households (though later shifting strategies) news.ontario.ca. The cost of Starlink in Canada has been around $140 CAD/month initially, later reduced in some areas; equipment ~$759 CAD. While this is expensive relative to urban internet (where unlimited fiber might be $80), for remote users it often replaces even costlier options. The reliability of Starlink’s network in harsh Canadian winters has been generally good – the dish is heated to melt snow. Some northern users experienced brief outages when satellites drop below the horizon, but coverage improved as more satellites launched. Overall, Starlink has dramatically expanded broadband availability across Canada’s remote regions, effectively shrinking the digital divide. It allows professionals to live and work in rural areas, supports tourism lodges with connectivity, and gives northern students a chance to join online classes. Canadian user satisfaction is high, as Starlink often represents the only broadband option in many locations.

Mexico 🇲🇽

Starlink Services: Starlink went live in Mexico in late 2021 en.wikipedia.org. Residential service is offered nationwide, and Starlink Business (priority plans) is available for enterprise customers. Starlink Roam can be used in Mexico for portable setups, but Mexican regulations prohibit using Starlink while a vehicle is in motion on land starlink.com (i.e. you can use an RV dish while parked, but not while driving). Maritime service is authorized in Mexican territorial waters (cruise ships, boats can use it), and aviation service can be used by airlines or private aircraft. Mexico’s government quickly approved Starlink to help connect rural areas, and even remote schools have been equipped with Starlink terminals via government programs.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Mexico’s internet access had a stark urban-rural divide. In cities, fiber and cable provide decent speeds (the fixed broadband median was 50 Mbps newspaceeconomy.ca). However, vast rural parts of Mexico (small villages, mountainous regions, desert areas) had little to no broadband. Many rural communities relied on 3G/4G cellular if available (often only 3G with a few Mbps) or nothing at all. Internet penetration was low in remote states – many people had to use internet cafes or travel to town for connectivity. Where available, rural DSL or wireless ISPs might offer only 1–5 Mbps. Satellite internet (ViaSat) was present but expensive ($100/month) and slow (25 Mbps max, high latency). The average broadband cost in Mexico is relatively high compared to income: urban plans might be $30–$40/month, but rural wireless services (with tiny data caps) were often similarly priced, making decent internet unaffordable or unavailable to many.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink has been transformative for rural connectivity in Mexico. By providing ~50–100 Mbps even in isolated areas, Starlink often outperforms traditional ISPs. In fact, Starlink’s median download speed in Mexico (~56.4 Mbps) was measured as faster than the combined average of all fixed broadband providers (50.5 Mbps) newspaceeconomy.ca – meaning Starlink leapfrogged Mexico’s terrestrial networks in speed. Communities that previously had only a few megabits via 4G now report tens of Mbps with Starlink, enabling streaming, remote work, and online education for the first time. For example, in rural Chiapas and Sonora, small businesses and clinics use Starlink to get stable internet, whereas before they had virtually none. The low latency (~50 ms) is a huge improvement over older satellite links, making VoIP and video calls feasible.

Cost and adoption: Starlink Mexico initially cost ~$110 USD/month, plus ~$550 for hardware. Recognizing affordability issues, SpaceX later offered promotions and possibly a “Latam” regional price cut – there were reports of Starlink reducing monthly fees in Latin America in mid-2022 to boost usage (e.g. some users seeing ~$65/month offers). For many rural users, while $65–$110 is not cheap, it may be shared among a community or subsidized by local government for schools. The Mexican government has touted Starlink as a solution for the last 5% of unconnected areas in its “Internet para Todos” (Internet for All) initiative. By 2023, Starlink kits were deployed at dozens of remote schools and community centers.

One caveat is that mobility use on land is restricted – as noted, Mexico disallows using Starlink on the move starlink.com. This hasn’t been a major issue for fixed home use, but it means RV travelers theoretically shouldn’t use it while driving through Mexico (enforcement is unclear). Maritime Starlink has been a boon for coastal fisheries and tourism – boats now have connectivity offshore. In summary, Starlink’s presence in Mexico has significantly improved rural internet speeds and availability, often at a performance level that rivals urban broadband (minus the latency difference). It has helped bridge the digital divide, though affordability remains a concern for some low-income rural users if unsubsidized.

Other North & Central America

Central America: Several countries in Central America now have Starlink service, bringing new connectivity to the region’s remote areas. Panama (launched May 2023) en.wikipedia.org, Costa Rica (Nov 2023) en.wikipedia.org, El Salvador (April 2023) en.wikipedia.org, Guatemala (July 2023) en.wikipedia.org, and Honduras (Dec 2023) en.wikipedia.org all offer Starlink Residential and other plans. In these countries, Starlink is often the fastest internet option outside major cities. For instance, rural communities in Guatemala’s highlands or Honduras’s interior that had only basic 3G can now get 50–100 Mbps via Starlink. Local ISPs and telecoms historically struggled to extend fiber or even DSL to rugged and economically poorer regions, so Starlink fills a vital gap. The average broadband speeds in Central America were relatively low (many countries’ fixed-line averages <30 Mbps), and internet access costs were high relative to income (often $40+ for slow service). Starlink’s impact has been to provide a quantum leap in speed: e.g. rural Panama users report going from 5 Mbps DSL to 100 Mbps Starlink. Governments have also partnered with Starlink: Panama’s government signed an agreement with SpaceX to connect remote schools and islands. In Costa Rica, Starlink helps connect eco-lodges and farms in mountainous areas where terrain makes terrestrial networks impractical. While Starlink’s ~$80–$100 monthly fee is steep for some, group-sharing of a connection (e.g. community Wi-Fi from one Starlink) is emerging. Overall, Starlink is dramatically improving connectivity in Central America’s rural and island regions, supporting education, tourism, and disaster resilience (satellite links remain online when hurricanes damage ground networks).

Caribbean: Starlink is active in numerous Caribbean nations, transforming internet access on those islands. Key deployments include Dominican Republic (since mid-2022) en.wikipedia.org, Barbados (Nov 2022) en.wikipedia.org, Jamaica (Oct 2022) en.wikipedia.org, Haiti (Mar 2023) en.wikipedia.org, Trinidad & Tobago (June 2023) en.wikipedia.org, and Bahamas (Aug 2023) en.wikipedia.org, among others. These island countries often had fairly developed networks in main cities/resorts, but rural villages and smaller islands had very limited internet (and during hurricanes, undersea cables are vulnerable). Starlink’s services (Residential, Roam, etc.) are fully available, and are especially valuable for portability – e.g. a single Starlink dish can provide internet to a whole off-grid island or a boat moving between islands. According to an analysis, Starlink delivered the fastest satellite internet speeds in the Caribbean as of Q1 2023, with Jamaica seeing median 83.8 Mbps (the highest in the region) newspaceeconomy.ca. In several places, Starlink even outperformed fixed broadband – in the Dominican Republic, both Starlink and legacy satellite ISPs had higher median speeds than the fixed ISP average newspaceeconomy.ca. This indicates the local telecom infrastructure was behind, and Starlink leapfrogged it.

Impact: For Caribbean users, Starlink means remote towns and tourist spots can get reliable high-speed internet for the first time. For example, fishermen in coastal Jamaica can now have connectivity at sea via Starlink Maritime; hotels on small cays in the Bahamas can offer Wi-Fi to guests via Starlink instead of expensive microwave relays. Cost in the Caribbean has varied: SpaceX introduced discounts in some markets (Starlink Residential was advertised around $100 USD in 2022, but later some saw price drops to ~$75). Notably in Haiti, where infrastructure is very poor, Starlink has been a lifesaver for NGOs and communities to get online despite unstable electricity and telecom networks. Haitians can now access ~50–100 Mbps where previously even 2G cellular was spotty. In Barbados and Trinidad, Starlink is providing competition to monopolistic ISPs, potentially encouraging price drops. The reliability through storms is also a plus – Starlink dishes can operate as long as they have power, whereas an undersea cable cut can isolate an island for days. In summary, Starlink has significantly boosted internet speeds and extended coverage across the Caribbean, particularly benefiting rural areas, outer islands, and maritime users.

(Note: Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, though not independent countries, also have Starlink via the U.S. – their inclusion since 2020 has greatly aided hurricane recovery communications and connectivity in remote parts of those islands.)

South America

Brazil 🇧🇷

Starlink Services: Starlink rolled out in Brazil in early 2022 en.wikipedia.org after receiving Anatel (telecom regulator) approval. Residential and Roam services are available throughout Brazil’s vast territory, and Starlink Business (priority) plans can be obtained by Brazilian enterprises. Maritime service is permitted in Brazil’s coastal waters (useful for ships along the lengthy coast and Amazon river boats), and Aviation service is also offered (Brazilian airlines or private jets can equip Starlink). Brazil was one of Starlink’s earliest large markets in South America, with SpaceX even planning ground stations and partnering to connect Amazon rainforest communities.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Brazil’s internet access is highly uneven. Major cities like São Paulo or Rio have fast fiber (100–300 Mbps common) and 4G/5G mobile, but rural and remote areas (e.g. Amazon basin, Northeast interior) have very limited connectivity. Before Starlink, millions of people in rural Brazil relied on slow connections: some had only 3G internet or none at all. Average fixed broadband in Brazil was about 50 Mbps download (heavily skewed by urban areas), and rural areas might only have 1–5 Mbps via radio links or legacy satellite. The Amazon region in particular had isolated villages with perhaps a shared 1 Mbps satellite link for an entire community. Internet was also pricey outside cities – a 10 Mbps DSL in a small town could cost as much as 200–300 Brazilian Real (~$40–$60), which is a lot relative to local incomes. In many places, even if you had money, no faster service was available due to lack of infrastructure.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink has been hugely impactful in Brazil’s remote regions. For the first time, communities deep in the Amazon rainforest can access high-speed internet. Brazilian reports indicated Starlink downloads of 60–100 Mbps in rural Pará and Amazonas, where previously under 5 Mbps was the norm. Starlink’s performance in Brazil has outpaced many fixed providers – one analysis found Starlink reaching >70 Mbps median in 2023, beating the aggregate speed of Brazil’s fixed broadband newspaceeconomy.ca. This implies Starlink is effectively the fastest option in many parts of Brazil. The Brazilian government leveraged Starlink for connecting Amazon schools and health posts: in 2022, SpaceX signed a deal to provide 12,000 Starlink units to the Ministry of Communications for schools in remote areas. This allowed students in rainforest communities to access online educational resources and telemedicine services over Starlink links (something impossible before).

For farmers in the vast interior (Mato Grosso etc.), Starlink enables modern precision agriculture and IoT sensors on farms where previously only expensive satellite phones worked. In coastal fishing communities, Starlink maritime keeps boats connected. Cost: Starlink in Brazil has been priced around $100/month (approx 500 Real) initially, with equipment ~ R$3,000. Recognizing Brazil’s income levels, Starlink later introduced a discounted “Starlink Brasil” plan – by mid-2023 some users reported monthly fees around R$230–R$300 (roughly $50) after currency adjustments and regional pricing. This matches SpaceX’s strategy of lower prices in developing markets to spur adoption techlabari.com. At ~$50, Starlink becomes very competitive against rural 4G plans (which often charge per GB). The uptake has been strong: as of late 2023, Brazil had tens of thousands of Starlink users. Reliability in the tropics (heavy rain) is an issue at times – downpours can cause brief signal dropouts due to rainfade, but overall uptime is high (Starlink’s satellite mesh mitigates downtime). In summary, Starlink has significantly improved Brazil’s internet landscape by connecting underserved areas, improving average speeds, and pushing incumbents to consider expanding rural coverage. It directly contributes to bridging Brazil’s digital divide, from the Amazon to the Pantanal.

Chile 🇨🇱

Starlink Services: Chile was an early adopter in South America, with Starlink beta tests as early as mid-2021 (including a trial in the tiny community of Sotomó) and public availability by September 2021 en.wikipedia.org. Starlink offers Residential and Roam plans in Chile, and Business service is available as well. Maritime service is authorized (Chilean fishing fleets and navy vessels have shown interest), and Starlink Aviation can be used by Chilean airlines or aircraft. Notably, Chile even trialed Starlink in Easter Island (Rapa Nui) – Starlink expanded service to Easter Island in late 2022 en.wikipedia.org, providing the remote island with much-needed bandwidth.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Chile’s telecom infrastructure is relatively advanced in urban areas – Santiago and other cities have extensive fiber with speeds >100 Mbps. However, Chile’s challenging geography (long, narrow country with Andes mountains and remote southern Patagonia) meant many rural localities had limited internet. Prior to Starlink, Patagonia and small villages in the south often relied on satellite internet or slow microwave links. For example, the Chilean Patagonia had communities with only 2–5 Mbps connections, and Easter Island’s internet was infamously slow due to reliance on a single satellite backhaul (often <1 Mbps speeds shared by many). The average broadband speed in Chile before Starlink’s influence was around 50–60 Mbps, but rural median was far lower. Costs were moderately high: a broadband plan might be $30–$40 in cities, but remote areas sometimes paid similar prices for a fraction of the speed.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink has made a noticeable impact in Chile’s remote and rural connectivity. During Q1 2023, Starlink achieved a median download speed of ~84.6 Mbps in Chile, which was the fastest satellite option in South America newspaceeconomy.ca. This speed far outstrips the older satellite services and even challenges urban ISP speeds. For southern Chilean Patagonia (Aysén, Magallanes regions), Starlink provided a lifeline: residents have reported going from 1–2 Mbps on legacy satellite to 50–100 Mbps on Starlink. This facilitates tourism (remote lodges can offer Wi-Fi), education (rural schools now join Zoom classes), and emergency communications in a region prone to isolation. Easter Island saw a dramatic improvement as well – Starlink’s arrival meant the island’s 7,000 inhabitants and visitors could access modern internet (reports mention speeds above 50 Mbps on Rapa Nui, a huge improvement from sub-5 Mbps earlier).

Chile’s government, through its Subtel telecom regulator, supported Starlink pilots in isolated communities. One famous case was the Sotomó village pilot in 2021: a tiny village accessible only by boat was given Starlink, and villagers experienced broadband for the first time en.wikipedia.org. The success influenced broader acceptance. Competition:Starlink’s presence pushed Chile’s ISPs to extend fiber a bit further (there are projects to run fiber backbone to Patagonia), but those are long-term. In the interim, Starlink has essentially solved connectivity for many areas. Cost: Starlink in Chile runs about $92 USD/month (around CLP $75,000), and equipment ~$600. This is expensive for low-income rural dwellers, so in some cases communal or government-funded Starlink units are used (like a community center with Starlink Wi-Fi). Despite cost barriers, adoption among businesses (mining, salmon farming, etc., in remote areas) is strong because it’s still cost-effective compared to alternatives. In summary, Starlink significantly boosted Chile’s rural internet speeds and reliability, connecting remote communities from the Andes highlands to Pacific islands.

Argentina 🇦🇷

Starlink Services: Starlink went live in Argentina in early 2024 en.wikipedia.org after clearing regulatory hurdles with ENACOM. The full suite of services – Residential, Roam, Business, Maritime, Aviation – are available. Argentina’s large land area and sparsely populated regions (Patagonia, northwest, etc.) make Starlink an attractive solution. The launch was highly anticipated due to Argentina’s often under-invested telecom infrastructure outside big cities.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Argentina’s internet access situation was mixed. Urban centers like Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza have decent broadband (fiber/cable speeds 50–200 Mbps available, though not universally adopted). However, rural provinces and Patagonia were left behind. In Patagonia and parts of the northern Gran Chaco, many areas had only 3G or slow DSL at best. For example, an average small town might have 5–10 Mbps DSL if lucky, and remote ranches or indigenous communities had no connectivity or depended on satellite phones. The average fixed broadband speed in Argentina hovered around 40 Mbps (2022 data), but the rural average was far lower. Internet service costs in Argentina have also been impacted by inflation and economic issues – prices are controlled and relatively low in ARS (pesos), but network quality suffered due to lack of investment. In remote areas, some people paid for satellite service like VSAT at very high cost (denominated in USD).

Impact of Starlink: Starlink’s arrival in 2024 has begun to transform connectivity in Argentina’s remote regions. Immediately, users in Patagonia and rural northwest reported major improvements: from nearly zero internet to 50–100 Mbps via Starlink. For instance, rural schools in Neuquén province that had only a slow 512 kbps link can now access cloud resources thanks to Starlink installations (some were donated by an NGO). Starlink’s speed in Argentina has been similar to neighbors – tests show around 80 Mbps median initially, which likely exceeds typical DSL/cable speeds in many smaller cities. Argentine tech media reported that Starlink not only benefitted remote users but also provided a backup in areas with unreliable grid (since Starlink can run on solar+battery, useful for off-grid cattle farms).

One significant impact is on scientific and emergency operations: Argentina has research stations in the Andes and Antarctica that can use Starlink for data transfer, vastly improving their comms. Additionally, Starlink’s coverage in rural Argentina may help modernize agriculture (smart farming in the Pampas) and improve safety (connectivity for travelers in remote stretches). Cost and economics: Argentina’s currency issues mean the official price in pesos is high and somewhat volatile. Initially, Starlink hardware was offered at around ARS 114,000 and service ~ARS 8,300/month (Jan 2024) – roughly $600 and $45 USD at that time, respectively, which was quite reasonable techlabari.com. However, with inflation these figures likely adjusted. Even at $45, that’s steep for average Argentines, but for communities or farms it’s a valuable investment. The government has not subsidized Starlink directly (focus is on expanding fiber), but they have not obstructed it either. If Argentina’s economy stabilizes, Starlink could see broader adoption; as of mid-2024 uptake was modest but growing. In summary, Starlink is providing much-needed high-speed internet in Argentina’s under-connected areas, boosting speeds, reliability (with low latency ~40 ms), and offering a new alternative to slow incumbents.

Colombia 🇨🇴

Starlink Services: Starlink launched in Colombia in January 2023 en.wikipedia.org, making it one of the early South American deployments. Residential service is available nationwide, and Business (priority) plans can be subscribed. Roam and in-motion use are permitted (Colombia has no major restrictions on mobility). Maritime Starlink is useful for Colombia’s two coasts (Caribbean and Pacific) – e.g. connecting island communities like San Andrés – and Aviation is available to Colombian aviation operators. The Colombian government granted Starlink a 10-year license and has been supportive of using it to connect rural areas, especially in the Amazon and conflict-prone zones that lack infrastructure.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Colombia’s telecom landscape before Starlink was characterized by decent service in cities and poor service in the countryside. Urban Colombians often have cable or fiber (speeds 50–100 Mbps in Bogotá, Medellín, etc., though at high cost), but rural villages in the Andes, Amazon basin, and along the coasts have very limited access. A large portion of rural Colombia only had 2G/3G mobile or nothing. The mountainous terrain makes it hard to lay fiber, and decades of conflict hindered infrastructure build-out in some regions. So, typical rural speeds were under 5 Mbps. Satellite or microwave links connected a few remote schools but bandwidth was tiny. On average, Colombia’s fixed broadband speed was around 50 Mbps (again urban-skewed) and many people had to rely on mobile data which is expensive per GB. Costs: In cities, unlimited 50 Mbps might cost $20–$30/month (subsidized competition), but in rural areas people could pay the same for a 5 Mbps WISP line or be stuck topping up mobile data at high cost.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink has shown tangible improvements in Colombia’s internet access, especially in rural and peripheral zones. According to Q1 2023 data, Starlink in Colombia had download speeds above 70 Mbps, which outpaced the country’s fixed broadband average newspaceeconomy.ca. This means that for many Colombians, Starlink can be faster than the traditional options (particularly outside main cities). Remote areas like Guaviare, Vaupés, or La Guajira have seen immediate benefits: communities can now access tele-education and tele-health services via Starlink where previously they couldn’t even join a video call. One example is in the Amazon region – environmental research outposts and indigenous villages are using Starlink to connect with the outside world (NGOs helped deploy some units, given the difficulty of reaching these areas with terrestrial networks).

Starlink also contributed during disasters: when landslides or floods struck rural towns (which often knocks out fragile communication links), Starlink kits were brought in by the military to restore connectivity for coordination. Cost and adoption: Starlink’s price in Colombia is roughly 2.3 million COP for hardware and 520k COP/month (around $540 and $120 USD at early 2023 rates). To attract more users, SpaceX later adjusted pricing – in mid-2023, reports indicated Starlink offered a promotional rate of ~$80/month in some Latin American countries. It’s still pricey for individual households in Colombia’s rural economy. However, shared usage models are emerging: e.g. a village council or co-op buys a Starlink and shares Wi-Fi, or small ISPs use one Starlink feed to redistribute internet locally. In cities, Starlink hasn’t made a huge splash (fiber is faster/cheaper there), but it’s used as a backup for critical operations. Overall, Starlink in Colombia has greatly expanded internet availability in hard-to-reach areas, improved average speeds, and provided a resilient alternative in a country with challenging geography and infrastructure gaps.

Peru 🇵🇪

Starlink Services: Starlink began service in Peru in early 2023 en.wikipedia.org. All core services (Residential, Roam, Business) are offered, and given Peru’s extensive Pacific coastline and remote interior, Maritime and Aviation services are also relevant and available. The Peruvian government quickly embraced Starlink, seeing it as a solution for the Andes and Amazon regions where connectivity is sparse. They streamlined licensing through the MTC (Ministry of Transport and Communications).

Pre-Starlink Internet: Peru’s internet access prior to Starlink had deep inequities. The capital Lima and a few coastal cities have decent broadband (some fiber, speeds 50–100 Mbps), but many rural highland communities and Amazon rainforest villages have either very slow internet or none. The average fixed broadband speed in Peru was around 40–50 Mbps, but that’s mostly urban. In the Andes, a lot of villages rely on outdated copper lines or nothing at all. In the Amazon (e.g., Loreto, Ucayali regions), connectivity might come from a satellite phone or a community Wi-Fi with a weak VSAT link (~1 Mbps shared). Internet costs were high outside Lima – a slow ADSL connection (maybe 4 Mbps) in a small town could cost $30+, and some remote schools paid thousands per month for a few hundred kilobits via legacy satellites. This left many rural schools, healthcare centers, and farms offline.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink’s arrival has greatly improved the internet situation in rural Peru. With median download speeds around 77 Mbps for Starlink in Peru (Q1 2023) newspaceeconomy.ca, it immediately became one of the fastest options in the country. Peru’s geography (lots of mountains and jungles) makes Starlink particularly valuable because it bypasses the need for physical infrastructure. Communities in the Andes that had never had broadband can now stream educational videos and participate in e-commerce via Starlink. For example, in Cusco region, tourist lodges up in the mountains have installed Starlink to provide connectivity to guests – something that improves tourism competitiveness. In the Amazon, researchers and conservationists use Starlink at remote field stations to upload data in real-time, which was previously impossible.

The Peruvian government has deployed Starlink terminals to about 250 remote public services (schools, clinics) as a pilot, drastically improving their service delivery. They have noted that Starlink is “plug-and-play” and can be set up in hours, whereas laying fiber to those areas could take years or be impractical. Cost considerations: In Peru, Starlink is priced similarly to elsewhere in LatAm (initially ~$60–$80/month with some regional discounts, hardware ~$550). While this is expensive for an average rural family, local municipalities and NGOs have stepped in to fund Starlink for community use. For instance, a rural clinic might get a Starlink funded by a development agency, enabling telemedicine consulting with specialists in Lima. Also, some Peruvian entrepreneurs are likely to become Starlink resellers, providing local Wi-Fi hotspot access on a pay-per-use basis. In terms of reliability, Starlink has done well across Peru’s varied climate zones; occasional heavy rain is an issue in the rainforest but downtime has been limited. In summary, Starlink is bridging Peru’s digital divide – raising rural internet speeds from near-zero to levels comparable with urban internet, and doing so in a cost-effective manner compared to building terrestrial networks in extreme terrain.

Ecuador 🇪🇨

Starlink Services: Starlink went live in Ecuador around March 2023 en.wikipedia.org after securing approval from CONATEL. Residential service is offered, along with Roam and business-grade plans. Maritime Starlink is available for Ecuador’s coastal waters and the Galápagos Islands, and Aviation can be used by Ecuadorian aircraft (though no public info yet on airlines using it). Ecuador’s relatively small size and diverse geography (Andean highlands, Amazon jungle, Pacific coast, and the Galápagos) make Starlink a versatile solution for reaching all regions.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Ecuador’s internet access before Starlink had a strong urban concentration. Quito and Guayaquil have decent broadband (speeds of 30–100 Mbps via fiber/coax are common for those who can afford it), but rural highland villages and Amazon areas have poor connectivity. Many rural Ecuadorians only had basic mobile internet (3G) or nothing. The Galápagos Islands had limited bandwidth through a satellite backhaul (before a new subsea cable was planned, the islands often had slow, congested internet). On the mainland, the average fixed speed was ~30–40 Mbps, but again rural speeds were often under 5 Mbps. Costs were high relative to income; a 10 Mbps plan might cost $40/month in provincial towns. Geographic challenges (mountains, rainforest) hindered nationwide infrastructure, similar to Peru.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink has quickly begun to improve connectivity in Ecuador’s remote areas. Communities in the Andes that lacked service now report tens of Mbps via Starlink. For example, remote schools on the slopes of volcanoes can access e-learning tools thanks to Starlink installations done by charities. In the Amazonian provinces like Pastaza and Morona Santiago, Starlink has enabled researchers and indigenous communities to connect with the outside world – sharing environmental data and facilitating tele-education programs. Galápagos: One of the biggest impacts is on the Galápagos, where Starlink was introduced to augment limited internet. Residents and tour operators on Galápagos are seeing much higher speeds (Starlink can give 50–100 Mbps, whereas the old connection was often <5 Mbps). This greatly helps tourism businesses (who can offer reliable card payments and communications) and allows island residents to access online services like telemedicine that were barely usable before.

Speed measurements show Starlink in Ecuador reaching similar performance as neighbors (70–80 Mbps median in early tests). This is likely on par or better than the national ISP average. Cost and reception: Starlink’s price ($60–$80 monthly) is steep for an average household in rural Ecuador. However, the government is considering subsidies for community Starlink nodes. In 2023, Ecuador announced a digital connectivity initiative that includes satellite options for the Amazon – Starlink terminals are a key part of that. One village in Napo province noted they crowdfunded a Starlink among several families so they could all share one connection via Wi-Fi. The enthusiasm is high because even shared, a 50 Mbps Starlink is a revolutionary upgrade from a spotty 3G signal. Reliability: Ecuador’s equatorial location means frequent heavy rain, which can cause short Starlink outages (rain fade). But overall uptime has been good and certainly better than the unreliable grid power/ISP outages that plague some rural towns. In short, Starlink is bringing high-speed internet across Ecuador’s previously disconnected regions, boosting education, research, ecotourism, and overall quality of life in those communities.

Paraguay 🇵🇾

Starlink Services: Starlink started service in Paraguay in late 2023 en.wikipedia.org. Being a landlocked country with relatively low telecom development, Paraguay quickly welcomed Starlink. Residential and Roam services are available, and Business (priority) plans as well. Paraguay doesn’t have a coastline, so Maritime isn’t directly relevant except on large rivers (Starlink could be used on boats on the Paraguay or Paraná rivers). Aviation service is available to aircraft in Paraguayan airspace. The regulatory body CONATEL authorized Starlink as part of efforts to increase internet penetration.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Paraguay historically has had some of the slowest internet in South America. Even in the capital Asunción, average speeds were modest (perhaps 20–30 Mbps on fixed broadband). Outside the capital and a few towns, infrastructure is sparse. Many rural Paraguayans rely on 3G/4G mobile data if available, or nothing. The eastern and northern regions (like Chaco) are very under-connected. Before Starlink, an average rural connection might be a 1 Mbps wireless link or expensive satellite phone. The cost of internet relative to income was high – a basic broadband plan (if available) could take a significant portion of monthly income. In some areas, people would use internet cafés or travel to get connectivity.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink is poised to make a big difference in Paraguay’s connectivity. With Starlink, users across Paraguay can now get 50–100 Mbps regardless of the lack of cables. Early adopters in 2024 reported speeds around 80 Mbps – leaps and bounds above what was previously available. This is especially impactful in the remote Chaco region, where cattle ranches and indigenous communities had next to no connectivity. Now, ranchers are using Starlink to monitor herds via IoT devices and coordinate logistics, and remote schools can connect to the internet to access educational content. Starlink effectively reduces the isolation of these communities.

Paraguay’s government has recognized that Starlink could help meet its broadband goals faster than laying fiber. They are exploring funding some Starlink units for public clinics and community centers in rural districts. Competition: There is minimal fixed-line competition in Paraguay outside urban centers, so Starlink pretty much has an open field. Incumbent telcos may try to respond with 4G LTE fixed wireless offerings, but those still require building towers, whereas Starlink covers everywhere immediately. Cost: Starlink is priced around $65–$100 in Paraguay (final pricing in local Guaraní depends on exchange rates). Given Paraguay’s low GDP per capita, this service will mainly be taken up by businesses, farms, and community pools rather than individual low-income households. However, even a single Starlink serving a whole village via a shared Wi-Fi can be transformative. For example, a farming village can invest collectively in one dish and instantly improve communications, market access (checking crop prices online), and even entertainment (which improves quality of life). In summary, although still early, Starlink stands to elevate Paraguay’s national internet capabilities, lifting the country from the bottom of connectivity rankings and enabling modern digital services in places that have been virtually offline.

Other South American Countries

• Uruguay: Starlink became available in Uruguay by May 2024 en.wikipedia.org. Uruguay already had relatively good internet in urban areas, but Starlink extends options to rural ranches and coastal areas with patchy coverage. It offers redundancy and competition to Antel (the state ISP). Early indications show Starlink performing well (speeds ~100 Mbps) in Uruguay’s interior, benefitting agricultural operations and rural schools.
• Guyana: As of April 2025, Starlink is active in Guyana en.wikipedia.org. Guyana’s sparse population and ongoing oil industry boom make Starlink timely – it can connect remote oilfield camps, hinterland villages, and improve general broadband (Guyana’s average speeds were low). Starlink should greatly help bridging the urban-rural gap there.
• Suriname: (Pending) Suriname was not yet listed as active by mid-2025, but likely soon. Once available, it will similarly aid remote communities in the interior rainforest.
• Bolivia: Starlink is not yet officially in Bolivia (as of 2025) due to licensing delays. Bolivia’s mountainous and rainforest regions could benefit tremendously once approvals come through, given very low current connectivity – it is expected in the near future.
• Venezuela: Not officially available (no authorization yet, partly due to U.S. sanctions issues). However, some Venezuelans near borders reportedly use Starlink roaming from neighboring countries. If allowed, Starlink could help Venezuela’s struggling internet (which currently is quite slow and unreliable nationally).

In essence, throughout South America, Starlink’s pattern is consistent: it brings a step-change in speed and availability to underserved areas, often outperforming existing ISPs in download performance newspaceeconomy.ca, while providing a new competitive pressure. It’s improving connectivity for remote education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, and emergency communications across the continent. The main barrier remains affordability for widespread household use, but as prices adjust and shared access models grow, Starlink’s reach continues to expand.

Europe

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Starlink Services: The UK was one of the first countries in Europe to get Starlink, with a beta in 2020 and public availability by early 2021 en.wikipedia.org. All Starlink services are offered: Residential, Roam (including use throughout the UK and even on the move within allowed contexts), Business, Maritime (covering UK coastal waters), and Aviation. The UK government fast-tracked approval, and Starlink covers all of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Additionally, some UK overseas territories have Starlink (e.g. Pitcairn Islands in the Pacific had a trial en.wikipedia.org, and others like the Falklands are expected to follow).

Pre-Starlink Internet: The UK has generally good internet infrastructure – average fixed broadband speeds around 70–100 Mbps, thanks to widespread FTTC/FTTP and cable. However, certain rural and remote areas (Scottish Highlands, rural Wales, etc.) still lacked high-speed options and relied on ADSL (<10 Mbps) or patchy 4G. The average rural broadband speed in the UK in 2020 was ~39 Mbps, but many rural users got under 10 Mbps. Satellite internet existed (ViaSat, etc.) but with high latency and relatively slow speeds (30 Mbps max) at high cost (£75–£100/month). So while the UK isn’t large, its “last 5%” of locations had notable connectivity issues.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink has been transformative for Britain’s rural broadband. Remote farms, hamlets, and islands that struggled with a few Mbps now enjoy 100+ Mbps via Starlink. For example, communities in rural England (like in Norfolk or Cumbria) report Starlink speeds of 100–200 Mbps compared to previous 5–10 Mbps DSL. Starlink’s median speed in the UK was about 85–90 Mbps in mid-2023 mobileeurope.co.uk. Interestingly, Ookla found Starlink’s speed exceeded the aggregate of all fixed broadband in the UK at one point (meaning Starlink was effectively faster than the average of DSL/cable/fiber combined) mobileeurope.co.uk. This is because the UK’s average includes many on older copper; Starlink outperformed those. However, in areas with full-fiber, Starlink is slower (city fiber can be 300+ Mbps). Regardless, for rural users Starlink’s 100 Mbps is revolutionary.

Starlink has also provided backup connectivity – some small businesses and even constabularies in the UK use Starlink as a failover to keep services running during terrestrial outages (especially after storms). Cost: In the UK, Starlink initially cost ~£89/month with a £529 equipment fee. In 2022, SpaceX introduced a price cut for UK users in high-capacity areas, dropping it to ~£75/month, and also a “Starlink Roam” option for caravans. This made it more palatable. Still, £75 is higher than many fixed-line plans, so Starlink mainly appeals to those who cannot get fast fiber. The UK government included Starlink as an option in its voucher scheme for rural broadband, effectively subsidizing equipment for some users. Reliability: UK Starlink users have noted stable performance overall; heavy rain can cause minor slowdowns, but nothing like older satellite issues. Latency ~40 ms is good enough for online gaming and video calls, which rural folks struggled with before. In summary, Starlink has significantly improved internet speeds and coverage in the UK’s hardest-to-reach areas, ensuring that even off-grid homes can be connected. It also spurred Openreach and others to accelerate fiber rollout to compete, which is a positive secondary effect.

Germany 🇩🇪

Starlink Services: Germany got Starlink service in mid-2021 en.wikipedia.org. Residential service is widely available, and Starlink Business is offered to German enterprise customers. Portable use is allowed (Starlink Roam), and maritime/aviation services can be utilized (Germany has no coastline but German-flagged ships can use it at sea, and Lufthansa is reportedly evaluating Starlink for flights). Germany was keen on Starlink to help rural broadband goals; the regulator (BNetzA) approved it swiftly.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Germany has a mix of ultrafast and surprisingly slow internet pockets. Urban areas and many towns have decent DSL/cable (50–250 Mbps) and increasingly fiber, but rural Germany has been plagued by underinvestment – many villages had only 6–16 Mbps DSL prior to 2020. The average broadband speed in Germany was 80 Mbps, but that conceals the “white spots” where users struggled with <10 Mbps. The government’s broadband program has been ongoing, but progress was slow. In these rural areas, some residents resorted to LTE home routers (with limited data plans) or expensive satellite solutions. Internet in Germany is relatively affordable (€30–€50 for good service), but that’s only if service is available – some rural folk were paying similar amounts for very poor DSL or were simply offline.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink has provided an immediate boost to rural connectivity in Germany. Thousands of German rural households signed up for Starlink as soon as it became available, seeing it as a solution to long waits for fiber. With Starlink, they jumped from 6 Mbps DSL to ~100 Mbps satellite broadband. In 2022, Starlink’s median download in Germany was measured around 90 Mbps mobileeurope.co.uk. By Q2 2023, speeds stabilized around ~80 Mbps in Germany mobileeurope.co.uk – on par with the national average for fixed broadband. Indeed, Ookla data showed Starlink speeds were roughly the same as aggregate fixed broadband in Germany (no huge advantage either way) mobileeurope.co.uk. This means Starlink effectively brings rural users up to the level of urban users in speed, closing the gap. Upload and latency are higher than fiber (uploads ~15 Mbps, latency ~40 ms vs fiber’s 5 ms), but still very usable.

German rural businesses – from farms to guesthouses – have benefited. For example, farms in Bavaria can now implement IoT sensors and video monitoring via Starlink, and remote hotels in the Black Forest can finally offer reliable Wi-Fi to guests. During 2022’s floods in western Germany, Starlink units were used to restore communications in some cut-off villages, underscoring its value for resiliency. Cost: In Germany, Starlink runs about €80–€100/month. This is more expensive than DSL, but many rural Germans were happy to pay for real broadband rather than wait years. The equipment (~€450) was a barrier for some, but early adopters often got in via beta with slightly lower costs. There’s also a Starlink “RV” option widely used in Germany by caravan enthusiasts – giving them internet on the road (though in-motion use on highways required careful mounting, which is allowed). The German government hasn’t directly subsidized Starlink, but some states count it towards their broadband targets. Overall, Starlink has significantly improved user experiences in rural Germany, though its role may be more temporary – as fiber gradually expands, some users may switch back. In the meantime, Starlink provided an essential stopgap to raise rural internet performance and push incumbents to not neglect remote areas.

France 🇫🇷

Starlink Services: France saw Starlink launch in 2021 en.wikipedia.org. Residential service is available across Metropolitan France and many overseas regions (Starlink later expanded to Réunion, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélemy by 2022 en.wikipedia.org). Starlink Business is offered, and Roam portability works (French users can take their dish anywhere in-country or in other Starlink-covered countries when enabled). Maritime Starlink is allowed in French territorial waters (including for yachts in e.g. the Mediterranean), and Aviation is available (French airlines or private jets can equip it). There was a hiccup: France’s initial authorization was annulled by a court in April 2022 over procedural issues, causing a brief pause en.wikipedia.org, but after public consultation, Starlink was re-approved by June 2022 en.wikipedia.org.

Pre-Starlink Internet: France has generally good broadband, especially in cities (fiber widely deployed, average speeds ~75 Mbps and climbing). However, certain rural and semi-rural zones (the so-called “zones blanches”) had poor service. Before Starlink, about 10–15% of French households were stuck with ADSL under 8 Mbps or unreliable 4G for home internet. Mountainous areas (Alps, Pyrenees) and some remote villages in regions like Creuse or Dordogne had limited options. The French government did have a subsidy for satellite internet installations as a last resort, used by some for KA-SAT or Viasat services (but those had 30–40 Mbps max and high latency, just tolerable for basic use). Internet cost in France is relatively low – €30 for a good triple-play in cities – but those in white zones sometimes paid €40–€60 for subpar 4G routers or satellite.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink has provided a valuable new option for French consumers in rural areas. With Starlink, rural French households can get 50–150 Mbps where previously they had maybe 5 Mbps DSL. User reports from 2022–2023 show Starlink typically delivering ~100 Mbps in rural France. However, relative to some other countries, Starlink’s speeds in France have been lower than fiber and even 4G in some cases, likely because France has many Starlink users sharing capacity in a relatively dense area. Indeed, data showed France’s fixed broadband was still faster – French fixed networks had 50% to 105% higher speeds than Starlink in 2023 mobileeurope.co.uk. For example, fixed broadband aggregate was up to ~130 Mbps vs Starlink ~80 Mbps median in France mobileeurope.co.uk. So Starlink is not beating French fiber/cable; rather, it’s filling gaps where fiber hasn’t reached.

The reliability and performance have largely satisfied users in those gaps – they can now stream HD video, join video conferences, and generally do what urban users can. This is a big quality of life improvement for, say, a family in rural Normandy or a startup in a village in Provence. Starlink’s low latency (~40 ms) is a huge improvement over the old satellite plans (600 ms), making online gaming and VoIP possible for those users. Cost and reception: Starlink in France is ~€80/month with ~€450 equipment. French regulators considered this high, but since it’s optional, tech-savvy rural users have been willing to pay. The initial legal challenge to Starlink’s license was driven by concerns about proper public input and possibly by competitor telecoms; after re-approval, Starlink has been operating normally. There are tens of thousands of Starlink dishes in France now. Some French local governments even considered group buys of Starlink for their villagers while awaiting fiber rollout. In overseas territories like Réunion and Martinique, Starlink has been extremely beneficial – those islands had limited undersea cable bandwidth, so Starlink provides an alternate high-speed link, improving resiliency and competition. In summary, Starlink has improved internet speeds for many French rural households and overseas citizens, although it remains a niche alongside France’s aggressive fiber deployment. It essentially “plugs holes” in France’s broadband map, ensuring nearly everyone can get a fast connection if they choose.

Italy 🇮🇹

Starlink Services: Starlink became available in Italy in September 2021 en.wikipedia.org. Residential and Roam services cover the entire country (including Sicily, Sardinia, and remote areas). Business service with priority data is offered as well. Maritime Starlink is of interest in Italy for yachts in the Mediterranean and maritime operations along Italy’s extensive coastline – it’s allowed in Italian waters. Aviation service is available for Italian aircraft too. Italy embraced Starlink as part of its strategy to connect rural communities, and the regulator (AGCOM) granted the necessary approvals.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Italy’s internet infrastructure has improved, but by 2020 it still had many slow spots. Major cities have fiber (FTTH/FTTC) and fast speeds, but rural southern Italy and some mountainous areas (Apennines, Alps) were poorly served. Prior to Starlink, it was common for villages to have only 4–10 Mbps ADSL. Italy’s overall average speed was around 50 Mbps in 2021, but many rural users were far below that. The government’s “Piano Banda Ultralarga” was working on expanding fiber, but progress was slow in some regions. Some Italians used fixed 4G/LTE routers as a stopgap, but those could be inconsistent and often had data caps. Satellite internet wasn’t widespread in Italy (only a few thousand users on KA-SAT) due to cost (~€70/mo) and performance issues.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink offered a major speed boost to Italy’s underserved areas. By 2022, rural Italians who installed Starlink saw their download speeds jump to ~100 Mbps. Ookla data for Q2 2023 showed Starlink median speed in Italy around 100 Mbps, which was significantly higher than Italy’s fixed broadband median (~60–70 Mbps) mobileeurope.co.uk. In fact, Starlink outperformed the aggregate fixed broadband in Italy (meaning it beat the combined average of DSL/cable/fiber) mobileeurope.co.uk. This suggests that Italy’s large base of ADSL users drags down the average, and Starlink is faster than those, though not necessarily faster than fiber. For instance, in rural Calabria or Sardinia, Starlink might be pulling 90 Mbps whereas the local ADSL gets 5 Mbps, a life-changing difference.

Agriturismos (farm B&Bs) and other rural tourism spots use Starlink to offer Wi-Fi to guests, enhancing tourist experiences in the countryside. Also, Starlink is aiding civil protection: in the event of earthquakes (Italy is seismic) or other disasters, Starlink can be deployed to restore communications if terrestrial networks fail. Cost: Starlink Italy costs ~€70–€80/month after some price adjustments, plus ~€450 for hardware (though promotions have been offered). For many rural families, it’s a bit expensive, but some regional governments provided vouchers or reimbursements for satellite broadband subscription until fiber arrives. Italy’s government actually included satellite broadband subsidies in its plan to guarantee 30 Mbps to all – Starlink can easily meet that goal. User experience: Most Italian Starlink users report satisfaction with the speed and latency (30–40 ms), noting it allowed them to work remotely or access services like telehealth from villages that had been left behind. There have been occasional congestion issues in northern Italy (where many users concentrate), but with continuous satellite launches, capacity improved. All in all, Starlink has greatly improved Italy’s broadband inclusivity, leveling the playing field for rural vs urban internet, and pressuring telecom operators to accelerate their rural fiber and 5G rollouts.

Spain 🇪🇸

Starlink Services: Starlink started in Spain by early 2022 en.wikipedia.org. Residential service is available nationwide (including islands like the Balearics and Canary Islands), with Business (priority) plans for those who need guaranteed throughput. Roam is available for portable use (Spain allows in-motion use on land, so RV users can enjoy Starlink while traveling). Maritime Starlink is authorized in Spanish waters (benefiting shipping and yachts in the Mediterranean/Atlantic), and Aviation service is offered to Spanish aviation (some private jet operators in Europe have begun using Starlink). The Spanish regulator CNMC granted approvals as part of Spain’s push to cover rural areas under its national broadband plan.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Spain made strides in fiber deployment in the 2010s – by 2020 many cities and towns had FTTH, and Spain’s urban broadband is among the fastest in Europe (100–600 Mbps common in cities). However, remote villages, especially in mountainous or sparsely populated areas (parts of Extremadura, Castile, Andalusian mountains, etc.), remained with old DSL or wireless. The average fixed speed in Spain was 100 Mbps, but the slowest 10% of lines (largely rural) were under 5–10 Mbps. Additionally, Spain’s many small villages (pueblos) often had aging infrastructure and maybe only 3G mobile coverage. The cost of internet in Spain is moderate (€40 for fiber) but those without fiber sometimes paid similar for poor service.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink has elevated internet performance in Spain’s rural locales. Residents in off-grid homes or isolated villages can now access 50–150 Mbps internet via Starlink. As of 2023, however, Starlink in Spain has been noted to be slower relative to fiber than in some other countries. Ookla reported that fixed broadband speeds in Spain were 50–105% faster than Starlink’s speeds mobileeurope.co.uk. This suggests Starlink median in Spain might be around 60–80 Mbps versus fixed broadband median ~120+ Mbps (Spain’s fiber is widespread). Still, for a rural user who had 5 Mbps DSL, getting even 60 Mbps is a huge improvement. Examples include rural Catalonia or Aragon where remote working is now viable because Starlink provides a stable ~70 Mbps, whereas before one might get 4 Mbps with frequent dropouts.

Spain’s Canary and Balearic Islands also benefit: in some smaller Canary Islands or rural Mallorca, Starlink reaches farms and retreats where laying new cables is expensive. Also, Starlink Maritime is interesting for the large shipping industry and private yachts around Spain – offering much faster connectivity at sea than older satcom systems. Cost: Starlink in Spain costs around €70/month after taxes, which for some rural folks is a bit high but within reason if they need good internet. The Spanish government has a Universal Broadband plan that previously subsidized satellite dishes; Starlink can fall under this for areas where fiber/4G is not scheduled soon. Additionally, some Spanish tech cooperatives have begun using Starlink to feed local Wi-Fi networks for a village (one dish serving many via a mesh network), which amortizes cost per user. Overall, Starlink in Spain is providing a strong safety net to ensure even the most isolated communities can get decent internet. It’s accelerating digital nomad trends too – people can live in a quiet Spanish countryside and still have fast internet for work, thanks to Starlink. The presence of Starlink also nudged Spain’s telecom operators to not forget the last pockets – there’s been renewed investment in rural 5G and fiber, partly to stave off satellite competition. In summary, Starlink has improved internet availability and choice in Spain’s rural sector, even if its speeds aren’t beating Spain’s top-notch fiber, it brings everyone at least into the broadband era.

Poland 🇵🇱

Starlink Services: Starlink entered Poland in September 2021 en.wikipedia.org. Residential Starlink is available countrywide, and Business (priority data) plans are offered (with some large Polish companies and ISPs using them as backup). Roam service is allowed (Poland has no in-motion bans), so users can use Starlink on the go (for example, campers in the Masurian lakes region). Poland doesn’t have a sea coast broad enough for much domestic maritime use (aside from the Baltic coast where Starlink works for boats); Aviation service can be used by Polish aircraft as well. Poland embraced Starlink partly out of strategic interest – it became important for emergency connectivity (as seen when Poland facilitated Starlink shipments to Ukraine in 2022) and for rural development.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Poland’s internet infrastructure is variable. Major cities like Warsaw, Kraków have modern fiber and cable (speeds 100–300 Mbps commonly). But many rural areas, especially in eastern and northern Poland, have older infrastructure. Prior to Starlink, a lot of villages only had ADSL at ~10 Mbps or fixed LTE (which could be 20–50 Mbps but with limited capacity). The average broadband speed in Poland was around 60 Mbps in 2021, but rural average likely much lower. There were EU-funded projects to expand broadband, but progress was ongoing. Internet costs in Poland are relatively low by EU standards (you could get 100 Mbps fiber for under $20 in cities), but rural folks sometimes paid $20–$30 for patchy radio internet.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink quickly found a niche among Polish rural users who wanted better speeds. By 2022, thousands of Poles in countryside areas got Starlink and reported speeds of 100–150 Mbps, compared to the 10–20 Mbps they had before. That said, Poland is one country where fixed broadband outperforms Starlink by a large margin in many places – Ookla noted Poland as one of the cases where fixed broadband was 50–100% faster than Starlink mobileeurope.co.uk. This is likely because Poland has a lot of good fiber in towns (pulling up the fixed average to maybe ~130 Mbps) while Starlink median might be ~60–80 Mbps. So Starlink isn’t top-tier in speed compared to urban fiber, but it’s much better than no service. For a farmer in Podlachia with 5 Mbps DSL, Starlink’s 80 Mbps is a massive upgrade.

An interesting impact: Starlink played a role in border regions and during the Ukraine crisis. Poland was a hub for sending Starlink terminals to Ukraine in 2022 en.wikipedia.org, and some border areas used Starlink to coordinate refugee response when mobile networks were overloaded. Domestically, Starlink contributes to Poland’s universal service goals by covering remote homes faster than laying fiber. Cost and usage: In Poland, Starlink costs about 230 PLN/month (~$50) after a substantial price cut in 2022 (SpaceX reduced prices in some central/eastern European countries where demand density is lower). At ~$50, it became quite attractive as a stopgap until fiber arrives. The hardware was ~2500 PLN initially, but some offers and second-hand market evolved. Many Polish users treat Starlink as transitional – they use it now and plan to switch to fiber if/when it reaches them. But others, like off-grid cabin owners or frequent movers, might stick with Starlink for flexibility. Reliability has been good; Poland’s weather (snow, storms) can occasionally disrupt it, but not significantly with proper dish placement. In sum, Starlink has improved internet speeds and reliability for rural Poland, allowing those areas to partake in the digital economy better, even if in absolute terms Poland’s fiber networks still hold the speed crown.

Ukraine 🇺🇦

Starlink Services: Starlink in Ukraine is a unique case – it was activated in February 2022 as an emergency measure during the Russian invasion en.wikipedia.org. All Starlink services effectively became available (though formal commercial service wasn’t initially planned pre-war). Tens of thousands of Starlink terminals were shipped to Ukraine (donated or supplied by allies) to provide connectivity when war damaged telecom infrastructure. Residential and standard service is used widely by civilians, and Starlink has also been integrated into military and government communications. Mobility is allowed (Starlink units mounted on vehicles, boats, etc., often for military). Maritime and Aviation usage also exist in the theater (for instance, Starlink on Ukrainian naval drones or government aircraft). It’s worth noting Ukraine might not have officially licensed Starlink in peacetime yet, but usage has been sanctioned under wartime necessity.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Before the war, Ukraine’s internet was decent in cities (especially Kyiv, with many fiber providers and average speeds 50–100 Mbps) but less so in rural areas. There were significant rural broadband gaps; many villages had only 3G mobile or slow DSL. Average fixed speed in 2021 was ~25 Mbps. Nonetheless, Ukraine had a fairly robust telecom system until war damage occurred. The monthly cost of internet was low by Western standards – $10–$15 for unlimited broadband in cities, but rural folks sometimes had no option or used mobile data.

Impact of Starlink: The impact of Starlink in Ukraine has been profound. During the invasion, as power and fiber lines were cut, Starlink kept critical infrastructure online. It enabled the Ukrainian military to maintain secure comms and drone operations at the front lines, which some analysts say gave a tactical advantage. For civilians, Starlink units in liberated or besieged areas allowed people to contact the outside world when cell networks were down. For example, in early war days, a Starlink dish set up in a shelled city allowed volunteers to coordinate evacuations via internet when nothing else worked.

In terms of performance, Starlink in Ukraine delivers typical speeds (~50–200 Mbps). Speed isn’t the main point here – reliability is. Latency ~40 ms allowed video calls connecting refugees with family abroad, etc. By late 2022, Ukraine had received over 20,000 terminals en.wikipedia.org and by some reports over 30,000 by 2023, serving both the military and civilians. The network backbone of Ukraine was partially ported to Starlink links where fiber was destroyed. Cost and support: Many Starlink units were donated or paid for by foreign aid. For individual Ukrainians who purchase it, Starlink was made available at a discounted rate in Ukraine (initially $60/month according to some sources, possibly varying). The typical hardware cost has been subsidized or covered by donors (like USAID, EU, etc.).

As a result, Ukraine went from having zero Starlink presence to being perhaps the country with the most intensive Starlink usage per capita due to war. The service helped keep average internet speeds surprisingly resilient during conflict. In 2023, Starlink remained crucial for rebuilding efforts: remote villages near frontlines used Starlink for communication as they rebuild cell towers. In summary, in Ukraine, Starlink’s impact cannot be overstated – it maintained connectivity under extreme circumstances, proving the technology’s value for resiliency and providing a lifeline for both the defense and civilian sectors.

(Note: Ukraine’s case is extraordinary; hopefully, in peacetime, it will transition to a normal commercial operation. Starlink’s example in Ukraine has also led militaries worldwide to consider LEO satellite internet for secure, portable communications.)

Other European Countries

Starlink is available in nearly every European country as of 2025 (with a few pending exceptions like Turkey and Bosnia). Here we summarize impacts in various regions:

• Nordics (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark): These countries got Starlink in 2021 en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. They have good fiber in cities, but Starlink helps remote areas (e.g. Lapland in Finland, arctic islands of Norway). Starlink recorded high speeds in some Nordic countries – e.g. Sweden saw >100 Mbps medians. Norway even extended Starlink to Svalbard and Jan Mayen islands by 2025 en.wikipedia.org. Starlink aids connectivity for remote cabins, fishing villages, and maritime uses (Norwegian fjords, Baltic Sea). Cost is around €85/month. It’s been especially useful for Sami communities and others in far north where 4G is sparse. Norway and Finland found Starlink to perform on par with their broadband average (around 90–100 Mbps) mobileeurope.co.uk, making it a viable alternative where fiber isn’t feasible.
• Central/Eastern Europe (Czechia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, etc.): Most of these countries had Starlink by 2022 en.wikipedia.org. They often have decent urban internet but big rural gaps (especially mountain and village areas). Starlink brought fast internet to Carpathian mountain villages (Romania, Slovakia) and isolated farms. Notably, in some of these countries, Starlink even exceeded fixed broadband speeds: e.g. Croatia’s Starlink median ~94 Mbps vs fixed 45 Mbps mobileeurope.co.uk, Greece 109 Mbps vs fixed 44 Mbps mobileeurope.co.uk. These are huge differences, indicating Starlink dramatically outperformed local ISPs in those cases, doubling or tripling available speeds. This has pushed local providers to invest more. In others like Poland we saw fixed > Starlink. But across Eastern Europe, Starlink often wins in places where infrastructure was poor. Costs in these countries were reduced – SpaceX introduced pricing ~€50 or less in many Eastern EU markets to spur adoption techlabari.com. This helped many families afford it. The impact has been better connectivity for rural schools and businesses, and redundancy (some governments are including Starlink in resilience planning due to wariness from the Ukraine war).
• Baltics (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia): Starlink active since late 2021 en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. These countries are small and had moderate networks, but rural areas (like Latvian farms or Estonian islands) benefit. Starlink speeds have been high here (>100 Mbps) and often on par or exceeding fixed broadband combined (since Baltic fixed networks still have many ADSL lines). Also, Baltic nations see strategic value in Starlink for defense communications (given their proximity to Russia), so they’ve integrated it for secure comms backup.
• Balkans (Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, etc.): Starlink since 2021–22 en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. Many mountainous or remote Balkan regions lacked good internet; Starlink now delivers tens of Mbps there. Example: mountain villages in Bulgaria or North Macedonia can get >50 Mbps instead of no service. As noted, Croatia and Greece saw Starlink far outpace their average fixed speeds mobileeurope.co.uk, evidencing the poor rural coverage that Starlink alleviated. Costs around €60–€80, with some local adjustments. This has improved tourism (e.g. remote Greek islands can use Starlink to attract digital nomads) and kept diaspora communities connected with hometowns.

In general, across Europe, Starlink’s overall impact has been to ensure that even as fiber rollout continues, no area is left completely offline in the meantime. It has provided a competitive pressure – telecom incumbents are aware that if they don’t serve an area, Starlink will, which has arguably sped up rural broadband projects. Europe’s focus on cost might limit Starlink to those who truly need it (since fiber is cheaper where available), but for those rural residents, it has been a revolution in capability to go from dial-up speeds to streaming and videoconferencing smoothly.

Asia-Pacific

Japan 🇯🇵

Starlink Services: Japan was the first Asian country with Starlink, launching in October 2022 en.wikipedia.org. Starlink Residential service is available nationwide, and Business (priority) plans are offered to enterprise clients. Important restriction: Japanese regulators prohibit using Starlink in motion on land (likely due to radio frequency laws) starlink.com. This means Starlink Roam can be used at different locations in Japan, but the dish must be stationary when in use – you can’t, for example, have an active Starlink on a moving vehicle in Japan. Maritime Starlink is allowed in Japan’s coastal waters (with some regulatory navigation; Japan initially was cautious but has permitted it for ships). Aviation service – Starlink Aviation – is not yet widely adopted by Japanese airlines, but regulatory framework is being laid; it may be used on private jets. Aside from the mobility caveat, Japan fully supports Starlink, and it’s available even in remote islands like Okinawa and Hokkaido’s far reaches.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Japan has one of the world’s fastest and most ubiquitous internet networks in urban areas. Major cities have gigabit fiber to the home, and average fixed broadband speeds are extremely high (median ~150 Mbps tomsguide.com). Mobile 5G is also widespread. However, Japan’s mountainous terrain means some isolated villages or mountainous regions (and some small islands) had limited connectivity. Before Starlink, these remote spots often relied on older ADSL lines or local wireless ISPs, maybe getting 1–10 Mbps. Rural Hokkaido, parts of the Japan Alps region, and some outlying islands had patchy service. Still, compared to many countries, Japan’s connectivity was overall good; the “last mile” issues were smaller in scale. Internet in Japan is relatively affordable in cities (¥5000 or ~$45 for gigabit fiber), but rural areas sometimes paid high fees for satellite (very few did) or just went without high-speed access if the fiber wasn’t run.

Impact of Starlink: Given Japan’s baseline, Starlink’s impact is more niche but significant for those niche users. It provides a new high-speed option for the few percent of the population in places where fiber or good mobile service hasn’t reached. For example, hikers staying in mountain huts or researchers on volcano observatories can use Starlink to communicate where previously they had almost no signal. Some remote fishing communities or islands (like sparsely populated ones in Okinawa prefecture) now have an alternative to expensive microwave links. Starlink’s speeds in Japan are typically ~100 Mbps (users report 50–150 Mbps ranges), which is slower than the national fixed average, but again, Starlink is targeted where that average doesn’t apply. One user scenario: an expat living in a cabin in the Japanese countryside used to struggle with a 4 Mbps DSL, but with Starlink he now gets ~100 Mbps and can work remotely effectively. That’s life-changing for that person, even if Japan’s nationwide metrics didn’t budge.

Japanese tech enthusiasts and businesses also adopted Starlink for redundancy. For instance, some convenience stores in rural Hokkaido put in Starlink as backup internet to ensure payment systems never go down. Restrictions: The ban on in-motion use means Japanese RV owners or buses cannot use Starlink while driving, but they can set it up when parked at a campsite. This reduces one use-case (like tour buses streaming live content on the go), but stationary use is fine. Cost: In Japan, Starlink is priced around ¥12,300/month (~$85) and equipment ¥73,000 ($500). This is more expensive than mainstream fiber, so it’s not going to attract urban users. It’s aimed at rural and specialized markets, which seems appropriate. Reception: The Japanese government sees Starlink as a complement to its Universal Service Fund efforts. There’s interest in using Starlink for disaster recovery – Japan faces earthquakes and tsunamis that can sever cables, and having satellite backup that can be quickly deployed aligns with their disaster preparedness culture. In summary, Starlink hasn’t revolutionized Japanese internet broadly (since Japan was already fast), but it has filled in remote gaps and added a resilient layer to the country’s communications, which is highly valued in certain contexts.

Philippines 🇵🇭

Starlink Services: The Philippines welcomed Starlink in mid-2023 as the first in Southeast Asia en.wikipedia.org. Residential Starlink (including a special lower-tier plan called “Starlink Roam” or “Residential Lite”) is available across the archipelago, and Business service (priority data) is offered to enterprises. The Philippines government actively supported Starlink’s entry, seeing it as a solution for connecting thousands of islands. Starlink Roam (RV) can be used throughout the country for portable internet, which is valuable given the many remote locations; in-motion use on land is allowed. Maritime Starlink is a huge asset for the Philippines – it’s available for ships and boats, critical for an archipelago nation (ferry operators, fishermen, yachts now use Starlink for comms at sea). Aviation service can equip Philippine airlines’ planes, though adoption is still in early stages.

Pre-Starlink Internet: The Philippines had long struggled with slow internet and uneven distribution. In urban centers like Manila and Cebu, fiber and LTE improved speeds (fixed broadband median in early 2023 was ~50–60 Mbps in Manila). But in rural provinces and smaller islands, connectivity was often slow or absent. Many areas relied on 3G or 4G wireless; DSL or cable infrastructure beyond major towns was scarce. Some remote islands had only very expensive satellite links or none at all. The average fixed broadband speed in the Philippines around 2022 was ~30 Mbps (and lower outside cities) cebudailynews.inquirer.net. Internet cost was relatively high: people might pay ₱2,000 ($40) a month for a barely 5–10 Mbps DSL, or resort to mobile data that is metered. The digital divide between Metro Manila and rural islands was significant.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink’s introduction has started to bridge the connectivity gap in the Philippines, though with some caveats. Initially, in Q2 2023 Starlink performed very well – median download ~110.8 Mbps, which was faster than all fixed broadband providers’ combined performance in the Philippines at that time abs-cbn.com. This early data (Ookla Q1 2023) showed Starlink leading in speed. However, as more Filipinos subscribed, by mid-2024 the median Starlink speed dropped to ~48 Mbps cebudailynews.inquirer.net, while fixed broadband (which expanded fiber) was ~94 Mbps. Thus, Starlink went from being faster than average fixed broadband to lagging behind it as usage grew cebudailynews.inquirer.net. This indicates some capacity constraints in the Philippine region as Starlink scales. Even so, 48 Mbps is a huge improvement for remote users who had maybe 5 Mbps or nothing.

Crucially, Starlink provides connectivity in places fiber or cell towers can’t easily reach: e.g., small islands in Palawan or far-flung villages in Mindanao’s mountains. It enables online education and e-commerce in those communities. Philippine telehealth projects are using Starlink to connect island clinics to doctors in Manila. Additionally, disaster response is a major use – the Philippines is hit by many typhoons; Starlink kits have been deployed to restore communication in typhoon-affected areas where power and telecoms were knocked out, as they can run on generators and bypass damaged landlines.

Cost and adoption: The Philippine government required Starlink to offer service at a reasonable cost. Starlink’s monthly fee in the Philippines is around ₱2,700–₂,900 (roughly $50) – notably, that’s cheaper than in many countries, reflecting local affordability concerns. They also introduced a lower-cost “Starlink Roam (Philippines)” plan with slightly reduced speeds for around ₱1,650 ($30) techlabari.com. The hardware runs about $599, though there are discussions to possibly subsidize it for public facilities. Reception: Early adopters like small businesses and remote schools have given positive feedback – tasks that were impossible (like stable Zoom calls or cloud uploads) are now routine. However, some users in more developed areas found Starlink’s performance inconsistent as more users join (peak congestion times saw lower speeds), and a few have gone back to fiber when it became available. The consensus is Starlink is a godsend for the unconnected, and a useful backup for the connected. The Philippine government’s projection expects hundreds of thousands of Starlink subscribers by 2028 cebudailynews.inquirer.net, making it a major part of the telecom landscape. In summary, Starlink has significantly improved internet access in the Philippines’ rural and island areas, lifting speeds from near-zero to broadband level, although maintaining performance as user density grows will be a challenge to monitor.

Malaysia 🇲🇾

Starlink Services: Malaysia approved Starlink in July 2023 reuters.com, initially for use in remote schools and higher education, and soon after for general consumers. Starlink Residential (and Roam) is now available, and the Malaysian government even directly purchased Starlink units for rural connectivity. Business service is offered to Malaysian companies. However, like Japan, Malaysia currently prohibits in-motion use on land (Starlink can be used portably but not while a vehicle is moving) starlink.com. Maritime Starlink can be used in Malaysian waters, and Aviation service is possible (e.g. if Malaysian Airlines chose to equip planes in the future). The quick licensing came from the top – the Prime Minister personally engaged Elon Musk to bring Starlink in for 100% coverage goals reuters.com.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Malaysia’s populated areas (Klang Valley, Penang, Johor, etc.) have decent broadband (fiber and 4G widely, average speeds 30–50 Mbps). But about 3% of populated areas in Malaysia had significant internet access issues reuters.com due to geography (mountain villages, deep rural interiors of Sabah/Sarawak Borneo, remote Orang Asli settlements). These areas either had very slow connections or none. The average cost for broadband was around MYR 100 ($22) per month for a 30 Mbps fixed line in cities, but in rural areas where only satellite was an option, costs were prohibitive and thus uptake was near zero. The government identified connectivity gaps especially in East Malaysia (Borneo states), where longhouses and rural schools might only have 2G signal or require satellite phones.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink has begun to fill critical connectivity gaps in Malaysia’s remote areas. With Starlink, rural schools in Sarawak that never had more than dial-up speeds can now connect to the internet at high speed. The government prioritized educational and community use: the first Starlink units were installed at universities and then remote schools. Students in a remote Sabah school reportedly went from no internet to streaming educational videos via Starlink overnight. For ordinary consumers in less extreme rural areas, Starlink offers an alternative if they’re still waiting for fiber under the JENDELA national broadband plan. Speeds reported are in the ~100 Mbps range, which is typically faster than existing options in those regions (4G might only give a few Mbps due to congestion).

One measure of impact: Malaysia’s telecom minister cited Starlink as key to reaching 100% internet coverage in populated areas, as that last 3% cannot be feasibly covered by towers/cables alone reuters.com. So Starlink is directly contributing to national policy goals. Cost and accessibility: The Malaysian government worked to ensure cost isn’t a barrier for public institutions – they have deployed Starlink at some sites at government expense. For private users, Starlink in Malaysia costs around MYR 220/month (~$50) and hardware MYR 2300 ($500). This is on the high side for the average Malaysian household, so initial private uptake might be limited to businesses, teleworkers, and villages that pool resources. There are already reports of some rural cooperatives sharing a Starlink link among homes via Wi-Fi. The no in-motion use rule means, for example, you can’t run Starlink on a moving car or boat in Malaysia, but that’s a minor inconvenience – stationary use covers most needs (and one can still use it on a boat when anchored, or in a vehicle parked). Overall, Starlink is proving to be a valuable tool in Malaysia’s connectivity arsenal, improving internet speeds and access in rural highlands and deep rainforests where laying fiber or cell towers is challenging. It’s a shining example of public-private partnership: the government licensing and even funding units, and SpaceX delivering the service, to finally bring those last pockets of Malaysia online at respectable speeds.

Indonesia 🇮🇩

Starlink Services: Indonesia, an archipelagic nation of 17,000 islands, began getting Starlink service in 2024 en.wikipedia.org. Initially, Starlink was provided indirectly via local partners for enterprise/VSAT use (even before official consumer launch, Starlink allowed Indonesian firms to use it for remote connectivity). By May 2024, Starlink Residential became available to the public in Indonesia en.wikipedia.org. Starlink Business is also offered, focusing on companies in remote areas like mining, plantations, and islands. The Indonesian government was cautious due to protecting local providers, but eventually embraced Starlink as part of its digital inclusion (Palapa Ring project) efforts. There is no explicit ban on mobility; however, regulations require partnering with a local entity (Starlink is working with Telkom Indonesia subsidiaries). Maritime Starlink is extremely useful in Indonesia for connecting inter-island ships and remote coastal villages; Aviation could benefit Indonesian airlines for in-flight Wi-Fi, though no deals announced yet.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Indonesia’s connectivity is characterized by excellent service in a few urban centers (Jakarta, Surabaya have decent fiber and 4G, though not as fast as some countries – median speeds maybe 20–30 Mbps) and very poor or nonexistent service in many rural and outer islands. Thousands of villages across the archipelago lacked any broadband; some had weak 3G at best. Eastern Indonesia (Papua, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara) was particularly behind. The government deployed the Palapa Ring fiber backbone connecting many islands, but the “last mile” to villages is still lacking. Satellite internet was used for some villages/schools via older geostationary satellites, but it’s expensive and limited (often <5 Mbps shared). Internet costs in remote Indonesia were high – locals might pay hefty fees to small internet cafés that use VSAT. Even in moderately populated provinces, home internet might be a 1–2 Mbps DSL or people just rely on spotty cellular.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink has potential for enormous impact in Indonesia, and the early signs are promising. For example, in Papua region, Starlink units deployed to community centers have given villagers their first taste of high-speed internet – enabling video calls to relatives, online education, etc. The Indonesian Ministry of Communications itself reportedly used Starlink to connect some of its remote offices. Speeds of 50–100 Mbps in a village that previously had virtually nothing is transformative. Indonesian businesses in remote areas (mines deep in Kalimantan, fishing fleets) now use Starlink for reliable comms, improving safety and efficiency.

One noted use: During the 2023 ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo (a remote town), Starlink was used to bolster connectivity for the event and impress attendees with stable internet – highlighting how it can support even remote tourist destinations. Regulatory: Because Indonesia insists on local gateways for internet traffic, Starlink had to partner with state-owned Telkom to operate legally. This might add some latency (traffic going through local ground stations) but still far better than no service. Cost: Through the partnership, Starlink in Indonesia is offered to enterprises around $100/month for 100 Mbps (there may be volume deals). For consumers, if allowed, price would need to be in a similar range; Indonesia might see a special plan or subsidy to reach poorer communities. The government has floated subsidizing satellite internet for tens of thousands of villages – Starlink is a prime candidate to fulfill that because of its capacity. Considering Indonesia’s scale, Starlink alone can’t cover everyone but can be crucial where fiber or towers won’t reach for years.

In summary, Starlink is connecting Indonesia’s hardest-to-reach communities, from mountainous highlands to far-flung islands, drastically improving speeds from near-zero to broadband levels. It complements Indonesia’s fiber backbone by providing the last link to villages. Over time, as more satellites launch, Starlink could blanket even more of Indonesia with coverage and capacity. The key impact is improved education (students can access online resources), healthcare (telemedicine in villages), economic opportunities (artisans or farmers can directly access markets), and overall integration of remote populations into the digital world.

India (Pending) 🇮🇳

(Not yet available) – India is worth mentioning even though Starlink is not yet available as of 2025, because it’s a huge potential market. Starlink had about 5,000 pre-orders in India and even started pre-sales in 2021, but the government of India has not granted SpaceX the license to operate. Concerns over spectrum, a preference to encourage domestic satellites, and regulatory red tape have delayed it. So, currently Indians cannot legally use Starlink (Starlink’s website lists India as “Pending Regulatory Approval” statista.com). However, if/when approved, Starlink could profoundly benefit India’s rural areas where tens of millions lack broadband. Until then, India relies on terrestrial expansion and some local satellite services. (It was requested not to dwell on pending, so we’ll leave it at that.)

Other Asia-Pacific Countries

• Bangladesh: Starlink launched in Bangladesh in May 2025 en.wikipedia.org, making it one of the latest additions. Bangladesh has very densely populated rural areas which are moderately connected via mobile, but Starlink can improve resilience (e.g. during cyclones, when networks fail, a Starlink at a relief center can keep communications up). It’s early to assess impact, but it should help connect chars (river islands) and remote coastal communities with ~50–100 Mbps service where previously only 2G/3G existed.
• Bhutan: Tiny Himalayan Bhutan got Starlink in Feb 2025 en.wikipedia.org. The mountainous terrain makes fiber deployment hard beyond the main towns. Starlink will connect mountaintop villages and schools, greatly improving their speeds (previously maybe a few Mbps via microwave, now tens of Mbps via Starlink). It aligns with Bhutan’s goal of modernizing while balancing geography.
• Nepal (pending): Not officially launched yet, but expected soon given similar terrain challenges.
• Pakistan, Sri Lanka: Not yet, pending licenses. Once allowed, should help rural connectivity similarly.
• Middle East: Apart from the Gulf states mentioned earlier (Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Yemen all active by 2024-25 thenationalnews.com), others pending include Saudi Arabia and UAE (both marked pending as of 2025 thenationalnews.com, though Saudi is exploring partial use for aviation/maritime). When fully launched, Starlink in these wealthy countries will serve more as a complement (their fiber networks are good in cities) and for desert, oil-field, or maritime connectivity.
• Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, etc. are not yet live with Starlink publicly by mid-2025. As those are vast and sparsely populated in areas, Starlink could be transformative once approved.
• Pacific Island Nations: Many small Pacific countries have adopted Starlink by 2024, seeing it as a way to overcome reliance on a single undersea cable. For example:
  • Fiji (May 2024) en.wikipedia.org, Tonga (Aug 2024) en.wikipedia.org, Samoa (Oct 2024) en.wikipedia.org, Vanuatu (Oct 2024) en.wikipedia.org, Solomon Islands (Sept 2024) en.wikipedia.org, Micronesia (Apr 2024) en.wikipedia.org, Kiribati (Mar 2025) en.wikipedia.org, Tuvalu (Jan 2025) en.wikipedia.org, Nauru(Dec 2024) en.wikipedia.org, Cook Islands (Sept 2024) en.wikipedia.org, etc. These nations have tiny populations spread over vast ocean areas. Traditional internet was via satellite or one submarine cable; outages were frequent (Tonga’s sole undersea cable broke in 2019, causing nationwide blackout). Starlink offers them a second pathway for connectivity and often at higher speeds. For instance, in Tonga, Starlink received approval in Dec 2024 and is expected to revolutionize internet access across the archipelago, providing high-speed, low-latency connectivity even to remote outer islands apibc.org.au apibc.org.au. It will bolster Tonga’s economy (businesses, tourism) and resilience against natural disasters by bypassing fragile cables apibc.org.au apibc.org.au. Similar stories apply to other Pacific states: Starlink can deliver 50–150 Mbps to places that used to get 5–10 Mbps if lucky. It’s a game-changer for education, as students on remote atolls can join online classes, and for health as clinics can consult specialists overseas.
  Cost is a concern, but Starlink introduced the “Starlink Mini” plan targeting regions like the Pacific to lower prices. This plan, available in many Pacific and African nations, offers a smaller package at reduced cost for those areas starlink.com starlink.com – for example, in some Pacific nations Starlink Mini kit and service are offered at a fraction of the standard price to make it accessible. One source noted Starlink Mini offering ~50–150 Mbps for about 50% of the regular price in Pacific nations hackernoon.com hackernoon.com. This is enabling adoption where budgets are limited. The result: Pacific Islanders are using Starlink to ditch outdated 3G/4G that was slow or unreliable hackernoon.com, and now have connectivity for economic development and communication with the world.

In summary for Asia-Pacific, Starlink has dramatically improved internet availability in remote, underserved, and geographically challenging locations – from the highest Himalayas to tiny ocean islands. It often provides speeds that are multiples of what was previously available (if anything), improving lives and opportunities. The key challenges remain regulatory approvals and affordability, but through innovative plans (like Starlink Mini) and partnerships, those are gradually being addressed. The net effect is a more connected Asia-Pacific, with Starlink accelerating progress toward universal internet access.

Africa

Nigeria 🇳🇬

Starlink Services: Nigeria made headlines as the first African country to receive Starlink service, launching in January 2023 en.wikipedia.org. Starlink offers Residential service across Nigeria, and the uptake has been substantial. Business (priority) plans are also available (some banks and firms use them for reliable connectivity). Starlink Roam is allowed (Nigerian users can use it portably within Nigeria, though given electricity challenges, mostly it’s stationary home use). Maritime Starlink is useful in Nigeria’s offshore oil & gas sector and for coastal coverage (e.g. ships in the Gulf of Guinea can connect once they near Nigerian waters). Aviation service can potentially serve Nigerian airlines in the future. Nigeria’s communications regulator (NCC) quickly licensed Starlink, as the government is keen to improve broadband penetration.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Nigeria, with the largest population in Africa, had an internet landscape of extremes. Urban centers like Lagos, Abuja have some fiber and 4G networks, but many Nigerians rely on mobile broadband. Average download speeds on mobile were around 20 Mbps, and fixed broadband was limited (median ~10–20 Mbps if one had it). Vast rural areas and even semi-urban areas had poor service or none – only about half the population had internet access at all, often slow. Satellite internet existed but was rare and expensive (VSAT for corporations). The average monthly cost for decent unlimited internet (where available) could be $30–$60, which is high given income levels; many people used pay-as-you-go mobile data, which limited heavy usage.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink has been transformational for Nigeria’s internet. It brought high-speed connectivity to areas that never had it. Speeds in Nigeria on Starlink average around 50 Mbps (median) nairametrics.com – not as high as some regions, but still far above typical speeds there. An Ookla report highlighted that Starlink’s average in Nigeria was ~49.6 Mbps, which actually lagged some other African countries like Botswana (106 Mbps) nairametrics.com. This is possibly due to heavy usage – Nigeria had a big adoption surge. In fact, within two years, Starlink grew to an estimated 65,000+ users in Nigeria, making it the second-largest ISP by number of subscribers in the country techlabari.com. This rapid growth forced local ISPs to adapt or risk losing customers restofworld.org. Many businesses and tech-savvy individuals flocked to Starlink for its reliability and speed, causing competitive pressure on providers like Spectranet or Smile.

Availability and real-world effects: Rural entrepreneurs can now run online businesses from villages; schools in northern Nigeria have used Starlink to stream educational content; and during periods of fiber cuts or power grid issues, Starlink kept connectivity up. Notably, in 2023 and 2024 Nigeria experienced mobile network blackouts in some regions – Starlink provided an independent connectivity path that was more resilient. Communities that never had video calls or streaming can now access those, bridging cultural and informational divides.

Cost: Starlink in Nigeria was introduced at a surprisingly affordable price point (compared to global pricing). Initially, monthly service was NGN 19,260 (about $43), and equipment NGN 274,098 ($600). In late 2023, Starlink even cut the price by 50%, dropping the monthly to NGN 19,500 (~$25) and hardware to NGN 268,584 ($330) in a promo spaceinafrica.com. This made it extremely competitive – in fact, local ISPs could not match the speed at that price. (However, due to currency devaluation and inflation, by 2025 they needed to raise prices again slightly: as of April 2025, monthly went from NGN 38,000 to NGN 57,000 (~$35) spaceinafrica.com, after a blocked attempt to raise to 75k earlier spaceinafrica.com.) Even at ~$35, Starlink is delivering far better value than many slow unlimited data plans Nigerians used before. The NCC did scrutinize pricing – as noted, they intervened when Starlink tried a steep hike spaceinafrica.com, protecting consumers.

The relatively low cost (for what you get) and performance caused Nigeria’s Starlink adoption to soar, making it one of Starlink’s biggest success stories. However, that popularity also led to capacity constraints in major cities – by late 2023, SpaceX had to pause new sign-ups in Lagos and other big cities because cells were at capacity techlabari.com. They activated a new ground station and added capacity in early 2025 to alleviate this spaceinafrica.com, opening up waitlists again. This shows both the huge demand and the need for continuous satellite additions.

In summary, Starlink has dramatically improved Nigeria’s internet speeds, availability, and competition. It essentially leapfrogged the old infrastructure – delivering broadband to areas that might have waited many more years for fiber or 5G. It empowered businesses (some SMEs rely entirely on Starlink now for global e-commerce), improved education (e.g. an online learning startup can now reach students in rural states via Starlink connections), and even plays into national security (better comms in border areas, etc.). Nigeria’s success with Starlink is now a model that other African countries noted.

Rwanda 🇷🇼

Starlink Services: Rwanda was the second African country with Starlink, launched in February 2023 en.wikipedia.org. Residential service is available and quite popular in Kigali and rural areas alike. Rwanda’s government, known for tech-forward policies, facilitated Starlink’s entry. Business service is offered and has been used for enterprise and government connectivity. Roam is allowed (Rwanda is small, so not much to roam, but one can move the dish within the country). Maritime isn’t relevant for landlocked Rwanda, and Aviation is possible (RwandAir could consider it in future for onboard Wi-Fi).

Pre-Starlink Internet: Rwanda had a decent 4G footprint (a government-backed 4G network covers much of the country), but broadband speeds were not very high and coverage in some rural pockets was spotty. The average speed before Starlink was perhaps 10–20 Mbps for those on 4G or fiber in Kigali, and much lower in villages. Cost of internet is high relative to income – unlimited high-speed plans were few; most people used mobile data bundles which limited heavy use. Remote communities (in mountains or forests) had little to no connectivity besides maybe 2G networks.

Impact of Starlink: For Rwanda, Starlink fits into its vision of being a technology hub with universal coverage. Starlink has provided high-speed links for rural schools, health centers, and community Wi-Fi hubs. The Rwandan government partnered to deploy Starlink in some remote schools, giving students there access to digital resources similar to urban schools. Speed-wise, Rwanda has been a star performer: Starlink’s speeds in Rwanda were among the top in Africa – median ~85 Mbps as of Q1 2025 techlabari.com, one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. This outranks nearly all terrestrial ISPs in Rwanda. So Starlink essentially leapfrogs the domestic broadband in speed and definitely in reach.

One interesting metric: in an Ookla Q1 2025 report, Rwanda was cited among top performers with ~85 Mbps Starlink, while its local ISP speeds are much lower techlabari.com. This shows how Starlink has raised the bar. Now, places like resort lodges by Lake Kivu or research stations in Nyungwe Forest can have connectivity on par with global cities, thanks to Starlink.

Cost: The Rwandan government likely negotiated favorable terms. Initial pricing for Starlink in Rwanda was about $50/month (which is still a lot for average Rwandans, but institutions and cooperatives can manage). The hardware cost was subsidized for some users via government or NGO initiatives. The government might see Starlink as a quick way to hit 100% access targets and is willing to underwrite some costs. For private urban customers, Starlink is pricey but some affluent users got it as backup or to bypass local telco issues.

Overall, Starlink in Rwanda has boosted rural connectivity and provided a competitive alternative to the state-run 4G network. It aligns with the country’s reputation for bold tech experiments (like drones for medical delivery). Rwanda is even investing in satellite tech themselves (with a satellite program), so embracing Starlink fits into using all tools for connectivity. In sum, Starlink helps ensure no part of “the land of a thousand hills” is left offline by those hills.

Kenya 🇰🇪

Starlink Services: Kenya received Starlink service in July 2023 en.wikipedia.org. Residential Starlink quickly became available and sparked huge interest given Kenya’s vibrant tech scene. Business/Enterprise plans are offered; many Kenyan companies (especially in IT and finance) use Starlink as backup or for branch offices. Portability is allowed domestically. Maritime is relevant (for coastal users around Mombasa, and marine operations, though uptake is niche). Aviation – Kenya’s airlines haven’t deployed it yet, but potential is there (maybe for safari charter flights or Kenya Airways future Wi-Fi offerings). The Kenyan regulator (CA) gave Starlink approval, recognizing the need to cover rural areas under its Universal Service Fund goals.

Pre-Starlink Internet: Kenya had relatively good mobile internet (Safaricom’s 4G covers a lot, average mobile speed ~20 Mbps) and fiber in cities like Nairobi and Mombasa (100 Mbps plans exist but not widespread). However, rural Kenya, including many farming communities and remote counties in the north and east, had limited connectivity. Some places only had 2G/3G or unreliable microwave ISP links. For instance, parts of Turkana, Samburu, etc., basically had no broadband. Even in more populated rural areas, users might get 5–10 Mbps on a good day. Internet costs vary: in cities, it’s affordable (maybe $30 for 10 Mbps fiber), but rural folks often pay more for tiny data bundles. The digital divide is an issue – urban vs rural internet penetration gap was significant.

Impact of Starlink: Starlink’s arrival has energized Kenya’s connectivity landscape. Almost immediately, tech-savvy Kenyans – from YouTubers living in rural towns to wildlife conservancies in Maasai Mara – adopted Starlink to get fast internet in places it never was. Speeds reported are 50–150 Mbps, a huge jump from prior options. This is empowering for remote education (some county schools got Starlink via partnerships and could do digital lessons). Telemedicine projects in Kenyan rural clinics also started using Starlink to connect to doctors in Nairobi, something not possible with patchy 3G.

However, an interesting observation: initial user tests in 2023 showed Starlink in Kenya had some latency challenges – possibly due to lack of a nearby ground station initially, latency was ~50–60 ms. But still far better than old satellite’s 600 ms. Speeds in Kenya have been moderate relative to some peers; one report noted Kenya’s Starlink median was under 50 Mbps initially techlabari.com, which was lower than expected. It might be congestion or simply early phase issues. Nonetheless, even ~50 Mbps dwarfs what many rural Kenyans had, and by 2024 speeds likely improved after more capacity (Kenya got a ground station and new PoP in Nairobi, which doubled upload speeds and cut latency by 81% in late 2024) techlabari.com. Indeed, the Q1 2025 data shows Kenya leading Africa in Starlink latency at just 53 ms (best) and strong upload ~15 Mbps techlabari.com.

Cost: Starlink in Kenya is about KES 6,500/month (~$45) after some price adjustments, and hardware KES 90,000 ($600). For context, $45 is quite high for an average Kenyan household – it’s mostly businesses, community networks, or wealthier individuals who directly subscribe. But the government and NGOs are stepping in to utilize Starlink for public good: e.g., connecting remote schools, innovation hubs in rural towns, and refugee camps. Kenya’s tech hubs are even trialing Starlink on buses to provide Wi-Fi on long routes (though in-motion use technically might require a separate mobility plan).

In summary, Starlink has significantly improved speeds and access in Kenya’s under-connected regions, catalyzing innovation and bridging service gaps. It’s forcing local ISPs to revisit their rural strategies (e.g. Safaricom is expanding its fiber-to-village program). And culturally, it excited Kenyans – many saw it as ending the era of “unreachable internet” in the bush. From supporting wildlife cams in the savannah to allowing a remote farmer to join a Zoom call, Starlink’s impact in Kenya is visible and growing.

Other African Countries

Starlink’s rollout across Africa in 2023–2025 is one of the most impactful developments in the continent’s connectivity in years. Here are highlights from various countries:

• Southern Africa (Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, etc.): Starlink reached many of these by late 2023/2024 en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. For example, Mozambique(June 2023) got Starlink post-cyclones to aid rebuilding connectivity; Malawi (July 2023) uses Starlink in remote health clinics. Zambia (Oct 2023) and Zimbabwe (Sep 2024) saw interesting developments: In Zimbabwe, Starlink offered a special $30/month unlimited package – a deep discount that undercut existing fiber packages techlabari.com. This forced Zimbabwean ISPs to reconsider pricing (Zimbabwe’s govt hadn’t fully okayed Starlink initially due to currency, but demand pushed it). Zimbabwe’s Starlink median speed ~50 Mbps which, while modest, still doubled most local ISP speeds, and at lower price technomag.co.zw. Botswana (Aug 2024) quickly embraced Starlink for rural schools and had one of the best Starlink speeds in Africa (106 Mbps – the highest recorded median on the continent) techlabari.com techlabari.com. Botswana’s case (Starlink 106 vs other ISPs 9 Mbps) is staggering: Starlink is over 11 times faster than the next-best ISP techlabari.com, showcasing how it completely outclassed existing options and delivered broadband to a country where ISPs hadn’t. Eswatini(Dec 2023) likewise saw Starlink median ~86 Mbps, among top in Africa techlabari.com. In South Africa, ironically still pending regulatory approval (amid bureaucratic delays and local satellite projects), entrepreneurs have reportedly smuggled Starlink kits or used it in Roam mode in some areas, anxious for official launch because rural SA could benefit heavily. The pattern in southern Africa is clear: Starlink often provides an order-of-magnitude speed upgrade and is prompting regulatory and market changes.
• East Africa (Uganda, Tanzania, etc.): These are expected but not launched as of mid-2025 (except Kenya, Rwanda). Uganda and Tanzania were slated for 2024, but we haven’t seen confirmation. Once live, they will mirror Kenya/Rwanda benefits: connecting islands in Lake Victoria, mountain communities, tourism lodges (imagine Starlink on Kilimanjaro base camp eventually!). Ethiopia and Somalia: Somalia granted an operating license (March 2025, per news) and awaits service – it could greatly help Somalia’s connectivity which is currently very low. Ethiopia not yet, but demand exists.
• West Africa (Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, etc.): Many West African states got Starlink in 2024. Ghana (Aug 2024) saw strong uptake especially among the tech community and for rural areas without fiber en.wikipedia.org. Sierra Leone (June 2024) and Liberia (Jan 2025) now use Starlink to compensate for underdeveloped networks en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org – e.g., Liberia’s only submarine cable is often at capacity; Starlink gives an alternate. Niger (Mar 2025) launched amid political instability but could help connect remote communities in the Sahel en.wikipedia.org. Burundi (Sep 2024) and Cape Verde (Dec 2024) likewise. In these countries, local ISPs often provide at best a few Mbps outside capitals. With Starlink, as one report summarized, Starlink outperformed all local ISPs in every African country tested for download speed techlabari.com. For example, in Benin (Nov 2023) and Malawi (July 2023), early user tests showed Starlink delivering >50 Mbps where prior options were maybe 5–10 Mbps.

The broad effect in Africa is that Starlink is reshaping the broadband market: offering faster speeds and often lower cost-per-MB than incumbents, especially for those outside metro areas. It’s bridging a longstanding gap – students in a Nigerian village or a Namibian desert outpost can access online knowledge at speeds comparable to someone in New York. Latency and reliability: One caveat is latency (~50–100 ms) is still higher than fiber’s, and some African Starlink users noted latency can spike possibly due to fewer ground stations (the worst cases like Madagascar were >180 ms ping in early 2025 techlabari.com). Also, heavy rain in tropical regions can cause short downtimes. But these issues are minor compared to the baseline of no internet or extremely slow links. And Starlink’s latency, while not as low as local fiber, is far better than previous satellite, enabling video calls and real-time uses that were impossible.

Competition and cost-effectiveness: In most African countries, Starlink’s unlimited data at ~$30–$50/month is revolutionary because many mobile plans are limited to a few GB. It is thus very cost-effective in terms of dollars per megabit. We have seen some telcos respond by introducing or planning similar satellite-based offerings or demanding regulatory protection. But many governments are instead partnering with Starlink: e.g., Cameroon unfortunately banned Starlink in 2024 because it was operating without a local license (they demanded local partner or fees) techlabari.com – a setback for users there. Other governments, however, streamlined approvals seeing public benefit.

To conclude the Africa section: Starlink has arguably had its most dramatic impact in Africa, a continent where conventional infrastructure lagged. It has brought fast, reliable internet to places that skipped the broadband era entirely. This yields immediate socio-economic benefits: farmers getting weather info, entrepreneurs opening online shops, youths freelancing for global companies from their villages. If there’s a before-and-after picture for African internet, Starlink is a big part of the “after.” As one comparative stat sums it up: in top African nations like Botswana, Starlink at 106 Mbps dwarfs terrestrial ISP speeds (9 Mbps) techlabari.com, showing how it’s vaulting African connectivity into the 21st century in one leap.

 Figure: A standard Starlink user terminal (“Dishy”) installed outside a home. Starlink’s simple setup allows rural households around the world to get online with high-speed satellite broadband, dramatically improving internet access in remote areas. techlabari.com apibc.org.au

Conclusion

Starlink’s expansion to over 100 countries has redefined global internet access, proving especially transformative in regions that historically suffered poor connectivity. Table 1 (above) summarized Starlink’s availability and service types by country – virtually all countries now have Starlink Residential service, and most support Business (Priority) plans and allow mobile (Roam) and specialized maritime/aviation use (with a few regulatory exceptions starlink.com).

Across the board, the introduction of Starlink has improved internet speeds and coverage. In countries with previously limited infrastructure, Starlink provides first-time broadband: for example, rural Croatia and Greece saw Starlink median speeds (~94–109 Mbps) more than double their prior fixed broadband averages mobileeurope.co.uk. In Nigeria, Starlink’s ~50 Mbps service vastly outperforms the single-digit Mbps many had before, catalyzing internet uptake techlabari.com. In geographically isolated places – from Tonga’s islands apibc.org.au to the mountains of Bhutan – Starlink has delivered connectivity where terrestrial solutions are impractical.

Even in developed markets, Starlink filled critical gaps: remote corners of the US, Canada, and Europe now enjoy tens of Mbps, and Starlink serves as a resilient backup during disasters (e.g. keeping Ukraine online during war en.wikipedia.org, or enabling communications after Pacific cyclones). Before Starlink, rural users often had to accept slow, unreliable, and costly connections if any; after Starlink, they can access ~50–150 Mbps internet with latencies (~20–50 ms) suitable for modern applications. This leap in capability has enabled new opportunities – remote work, tele-learning, telehealth, e-commerce – to flourish in places previously left behind.

Speed and cost comparisons: In many countries, Starlink’s speeds now rival or exceed national averages. By mid-2023, Starlink median download speeds topped 100 Mbps in at least 14 European countries mobileeurope.co.uk, and it outpaced the aggregate of fixed ISPs in 11 of 27 European countries tested mobileeurope.co.uk. In Africa, Starlink outperformed terrestrial ISPs in every country surveyed for download rates techlabari.com. However, as user density grows, speeds can moderate – e.g., the Philippines saw Starlink go from ~110 Mbps down to ~48 Mbps median as subscriptions rose cebudailynews.inquirer.net. SpaceX’s continuous satellite launches aim to stay ahead of demand. On cost, Starlink’s $90–$120/month standard pricing is higher than many fixed-line plans in developed nations, but in those areas it’s a niche or premium service. Conversely, in developing nations Starlink has implemented significant regional price cuts – e.g. ~$35 in Nigeria spaceinafrica.com, ~$50 in India (planned), and special “Mini” plans for under $30 in some markets techlabari.com – making it competitive or even cheaper per Mbps compared to legacy options. In Zimbabwe, Starlink’s $30 unlimited undercut fiber plans techlabari.com, and in many African and Latin locales, it offers far better value than costly mobile data or VSAT solutions it replaces.

Availability and reliability: Starlink has dramatically extended internet availability. It brought service to 100+ new countries in just about three years thenationalnews.com thenationalnews.com. It covers all continents, including remote territories (e.g. Svalbard, Easter Island, Alaska’s Arctic). Its reliability is generally high – network uptime is usually 99%+ outside of extreme weather. Latency, while a bit higher than fiber, is low enough for real-time uses and is the lowest among satellite providers by far newspaceeconomy.ca. Starlink’s only notable limitations are the need for clear sky view (which can be a challenge in dense urban areas or forests) and susceptibility to heavy rain fade (mitigated by the network’s ability to reroute traffic quickly). Otherwise, it has proven resilient, even used under extreme conditions (e.g., on the move in military trucks, at sea in storms).

Impacts on incumbents and policy: The arrival of Starlink is pushing incumbent ISPs and governments to react. We’ve seen local ISPs drop prices or raise data caps in response (as in Canada’s north and Nigeria’s metro markets). Some countries accelerated fiber rollouts to provide an alternative to Starlink in rural areas (e.g., EU nations using recovery funds to expand rural broadband, partly motivated to keep customers from switching to satellite). Regulators are also updating frameworks for LEO constellations – ensuring spectrum coordination and fair competition. By and large, regulators have been supportive due to the clear public benefit of bridging the digital divide, with a few protecting domestic telecom interests (hence pending status in places like India, South Africa). Starlink’s success has spurred development of similar projects (OneWeb, Amazon’s Kuiper), which could further enhance global coverage and affordability.

Conclusion: In summary, Starlink has substantially improved internet access worldwide – increasing speeds by 5x–10x in many underserved areas techlabari.com, extending coverage to virtually every populated region, and providing a new benchmark for internet reliability and flexibility (connectivity “anywhere”). From a remote farm in Canada to a school deep in the Amazon, and from ships at sea to passenger planes in the sky, Starlink’s satellite broadband has made high-speed internet truly global. It is not a complete replacement for terrestrial networks (especially in dense urban areas), but it is an invaluable complement and catalyst. For millions of people, Starlink has turned what was once an unreachable luxury – fast, reliable internet – into a present reality, enabling them to participate in the digital world on equal footing. And as Starlink and other LEO constellations continue to expand, the gap between the connected and unconnected will continue to narrow, fulfilling the promise of the internet as a truly worldwide network.

Sources:

• Starlink availability and country launch dates: Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
• In-motion usage restrictions (Japan, etc.): Starlink Support FAQ starlink.com
• Speed comparisons (Starlink vs fixed) in Europe: MobileEurope (Ookla Q2 2023) mobileeurope.co.uk mobileeurope.co.uk
• North America speeds and satisfaction: NewSpaceEconomy (Ookla Q1 2023) newspaceeconomy.ca newspaceeconomy.ca
• Malaysia remote areas 3% stat: Reuters reuters.com
• Africa speeds (Botswana 106 Mbps vs 9 Mbps, Nigeria 49 Mbps, etc.): TechLabari (Ookla Q1 2025) techlabari.com techlabari.com
• Nigeria pricing and adoption (65k users, price changes): Space in Africa spaceinafrica.com spaceinafrica.com, TechLabari techlabari.com
• Philippines performance drop (110 Mbps to 48 Mbps) and fixed vs Starlink: Inquirer (Ookla Q2 2024) cebudailynews.inquirer.net
• Tonga impact and approval: APNIC Blog / APIBC apibc.org.au apibc.org.au
• Ukraine emergency use: Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
• Starlink Mini available countries (pricing aimed at developing regions): Starlink Support starlink.com starlink.com
• Global subscriber counts: Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org (4 million by Sept 2024)
• Starlink speed leaders by region (Jamaica in Caribbean, Chile in S. America, etc.): NewSpaceEconomy newspaceeconomy.ca newspaceeconomy.ca.