What Is Satellite Internet?
Satellite internet delivers broadband by transmitting data between a dish at your home and satellites orbiting Earth. It is the only broadband technology available virtually anywhere on Earth with a clear sky view, making it the primary internet option for rural and remote locations where fiber, cable, and even 5G haven’t reached. Two fundamentally different types now exist: traditional geostationary satellite (HughesNet, Viasat) and low-earth orbit satellite (Starlink). Test your satellite speeds with our free speed test.
Traditional vs Starlink Satellite — A Fundamental Difference
| Feature | Traditional Geostationary | Starlink (LEO) |
|---|---|---|
| Orbital Altitude | 35,786 km | ~550 km |
| Latency | 500–800ms | 20–60ms |
| Download Speed | 25–100 Mbps | 50–250 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 3 Mbps | 10–20 Mbps |
| Data Caps | Yes (tight) | Unlimited (soft limits) |
| Weather Sensitivity | High | Moderate |
| Price | $50–100/month | $120–250/month |
Why Traditional Satellite Latency Is Problematic
At 35,786 km altitude, signals travel 72,000 km round trip — taking at minimum 240ms at the speed of light. With additional processing delay, real latency is 500–800ms. This makes traditional satellite internet unusable for gaming, video calls, and responsive browsing. Each web page load requires multiple request-response cycles; at 600ms each, a simple page load takes 2–4 seconds regardless of download speed. For understanding what good ping looks like, see our guide on what is a good ping.
Starlink — Satellite Internet Transformed
Starlink’s constellation of 5,000+ LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites at ~550 km altitude reduces signal travel distance by 98%, cutting latency from 600ms to 20–60ms. This is genuinely usable for gaming (barely), video calls (yes), and responsive browsing (yes). Starlink has transformed satellite internet from a last-resort connectivity option into a viable broadband service for remote locations. We compare it directly with 5G home internet in our Starlink vs 5G home internet guide.
Related Guides
- Starlink vs 5G Home Internet
- What Is Fixed Wireless Internet?
- What Is 5G Home Internet?
- What Is a Good Ping for Gaming?
- Does Weather Affect Internet Speed?
- Fiber vs Cable Internet
Frequently Asked Questions
Is satellite internet good for gaming?
Traditional geostationary satellite (HughesNet, Viasat) is not suitable for online gaming due to 500–800ms latency — this causes severe rubber-banding and hit registration failures. Starlink’s 20–60ms latency is usable for casual gaming and acceptable for most games, though competitive gaming players will notice the difference versus cable or fiber connections. See our gaming ping guide for exact thresholds.
Does rain affect Starlink?
Heavy rain, snow, and dense cloud cover do reduce Starlink signal quality, causing temporary speed drops and brief outages. This is known as “rain fade” — the same phenomenon that affects satellite TV. Starlink is notably more resilient than traditional satellite but not immune. The effect is typically brief (seconds to minutes) during severe weather. For full detail, see our guide on how weather affects internet speed.
Is Starlink worth the cost?
For users without cable, fiber, or viable 5G options, Starlink at $120/month is often worth it — it delivers genuinely usable broadband where none existed. For urban users with cable or fiber available, Starlink is significantly more expensive and slower than wired alternatives. The value depends entirely on your alternatives: Starlink is excellent for rural users and the best option for many remote locations globally.