Summary
SpaceX developing new Starlink dish with gigabit speeds
Expected to reach 2 gigabit speeds with next-generation dish
European Union trying to catch up with SpaceX’s Starlink
EU considering alternatives like Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation
Ukraine’s access to Starlink under scrutiny, potential switch to other services complicated
Article
SpaceX is set to introduce a new Starlink dish that will provide customers with gigabit internet speeds, a significant increase from the current download speeds of around 200 Mbps. The new dish is expected to offer smaller beams, more capacity per beam, and lower latency, ultimately leading to speeds as high as 2 gigabits with the next-generation dish. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell mentioned these improvements during a webinar for Starlink resellers in 2024.
As SpaceX gears up to offer gigabit speeds, the European Union finds itself struggling to keep up with Starlink’s current internet services. The Foreign Minister of Poland, Radoslaw Sikorski, accused Elon Musk of threatening to cut off Ukraine’s access to Starlink, interpreting Musk’s comments about Ukraine’s front line collapsing without Starlink as a threat. Musk clarified that he would “never” cut off Starlink services to Ukraine. Despite this, the EU is exploring alternatives to SpaceX’s Starlink, as it currently lacks companies that can match SpaceX’s Starlink constellation.
In the EU, Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation is the closest competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink, with around 650 satellites in lower Earth orbit compared to SpaceX’s reported 6,750 satellites as of February 2025. However, even if Europe managed to match SpaceX’s constellation, the process of switching Ukraine from Starlink to another service would be complex, as multiple countries are involved in paying for Ukraine’s Starlink services. Each country appears to be contributing varying amounts, further complicating any potential transition.
SpaceX still needs to complete several steps before releasing the Starlink gigabit dish, including upgrading its Starlink constellation to operate within a broader range of radio spectrum. Clearance from the FCC is also required to implement these upgrades. PC Mag speculates that the launch of the Starlink gigabit dish could occur later in the year, pending the successful deployment of third-generation V3 Starlink satellites by SpaceX’s Starship.
In summary, SpaceX’s upcoming release of a Starlink dish with gigabit speeds signals a significant advancement in internet connectivity, leaving the European Union scrambling to match its capabilities. Despite challenges posed by the EU, including accusations of potential service cuts to Ukraine, SpaceX continues to make strides towards enhancing its Starlink constellation’s performance. The pending launch of the Starlink gigabit dish represents a major milestone in SpaceX’s efforts to improve internet access globally, albeit with some regulatory hurdles to clear before its release.
Read the full article here
