Starlink sends internet to your home through satellites in orbit, not cables in the ground

Starlink is a satellite internet service run by SpaceX. Instead of connecting through cables buried under your street or fiber lines to a nearby tower, Starlink beams internet signals down from thousands of satellites orbiting Earth. A small dish on your roof or outside wall receives those signals and sends them to a router inside your home. The dish is about the size of a pizza box and points toward the sky.

This matters because satellite internet reaches places where cable and fiber do not exist — rural areas, remote properties, and towns where traditional providers have not built infrastructure. It also means your connection path is different, which changes how fast it feels, how reliable it is, and what it costs compared to ground-based internet.

Key Takeaways

  • Starlink uses satellites in orbit to deliver internet, so it works in areas where cable and fiber lines do not reach.
  • The service requires a clear view of the southern sky, a roof-mounted dish, and a monthly subscription with no long-term contract.
  • Starlink speeds are typically 50 to 150 megabits per second, faster than older satellite internet but slower than cable or fiber in most cases.
  • Latency — the delay between sending and receiving data — is lower than older satellite services but still noticeable for video calls and online games.
  • Installation costs around $600 for the dish and equipment, plus a monthly fee that varies by location and service tier.

The hardware you need and where it goes

Starlink requires three pieces of equipment: the satellite dish, a router, and a power supply. The dish is the most visible part — it is a flat rectangular panel about 20 inches wide that mounts on your roof, on a pole in your yard, or on a wall. It needs a clear, unobstructed view of the southern sky. Trees, buildings, or hills that block the view will slow your connection or drop it entirely.

The router connects to the dish with a cable and broadcasts Wi-Fi throughout your home, the same way a traditional internet router does. The power supply plugs into an outlet and powers both the dish and router. Starlink sells a standard package with these three components, and also offers an upgraded router with better range if you have a large home or want coverage in a detached building.

Installation is a DIY process in most cases. Starlink sends you the equipment, you mount the dish yourself, plug in the cables, and set up it through the Starlink app on your phone. Some customers hire electricians or roofers to handle the mounting, which adds cost but ensures the dish is find and properly positioned.

How the signal travels from space to your home

Starlink satellites orbit Earth at about 340 miles up — much lower than traditional satellite internet, which orbits at 22,000 miles. This lower orbit is why Starlink feels faster than older satellite services. The signal has less distance to travel, so the delay is smaller.

Your dish communicates with whichever satellite is overhead at any moment. As satellites move across the sky, your connection hands off from one to the next automatically. Starlink has thousands of satellites in orbit, so there is usually one in range. The dish sends your request (a web page, a video stream, a message) up to the satellite, the satellite relays it to a ground station on Earth, and the ground station connects to the regular internet. The response travels back the same way.

This path — up to space, down to Earth, out to the internet, and back — creates a delay called latency. Even at the speed of light, the round trip takes about 20 to 40 milliseconds. That is fast enough for web browsing and video streaming, but noticeable for video calls and online games where split-second timing matters.

Speed, reliability, and what affects them

Starlink advertises speeds of 50 to 150 megabits per second for downloads, depending on your location and network conditions. In practice, most users see speeds in the 50 to 100 range. That is fast enough for streaming video, video calls, and working from home, but slower than cable or fiber in most cities.

Weather affects satellite internet more than ground-based services. Heavy rain, snow, and thick clouds can degrade your signal or drop your connection temporarily. Starlink's newer satellites and ground stations have reduced this problem compared to older satellite services, but it still happens during severe storms.

Obstructions matter too. If trees grow taller, a neighbor builds a structure, or you install a roof addition that blocks the southern sky, your speeds will drop. Starlink's app shows you which parts of the sky you need clear, and you can check your view before ordering.

Cost and what is included

Starlink equipment costs around $600 for the standard dish and router package. Some locations have a lower upfront cost but a higher monthly fee. Shipping and taxes are additional.

Monthly service costs vary by location and service tier. Standard residential service is typically $120 to $150 per month. Starlink also offers a higher-speed tier called Priority, which costs more and guarantees faster speeds during peak hours. Business plans and RV plans have different pricing.

There is no long-term contract, so you can cancel anytime. If you move, you can take the dish with you and reactivate it at your new address, though Starlink may charge a fee if you move to a different service area.

When Starlink makes sense and when it does not

Starlink is the right choice if you live in an area where cable and fiber are not available, or if the available options are slow or expensive. It is also useful for people who travel frequently and want internet in an RV or boat, since Starlink offers mobile plans.

Starlink is less ideal if you have reliable cable or fiber available at a lower price. It is also not the best fit if you need extremely low latency for competitive online gaming or professional video production, or if your roof has a poor southern sky view due to trees or buildings.

If you are deciding between Starlink and another satellite provider like Viasat or HughesNet, Starlink is generally faster and has lower latency. If you are deciding between Starlink and fixed wireless (a service that uses ground towers rather than satellites), fixed wireless usually has lower latency and may be cheaper, but is less widely available.

What happens after you order

When you order Starlink, the company checks whether your address is in a service area and tells you the expected delivery date. Starlink has expanded rapidly, so availability changes frequently. If your address is not yet available, you can join a waitlist.

Once your equipment arrives, you unbox it, mount the dish, and set up it through the Starlink app. The app walks you through the setup and tests your connection. Most people are online within an hour of opening the box. Starlink's customer support is primarily through the app and online chat, not phone calls.

If you have problems after setup — slow speeds, dropped connections, or equipment failure — you troubleshoot through the app first. Starlink will replace equipment under warranty if it fails, though shipping times vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a clear view of the entire southern sky?

No, but you need a clear view of a large portion of it. Starlink's app shows you exactly which parts of the sky matter for your location. Small obstructions like a corner of a roof or a thin tree branch usually do not cause problems. Large obstructions like a building or dense forest will degrade your signal.

Can I use Starlink if I rent my home?

Yes, but you need your landlord's permission to mount the dish. Some landlords allow it; others do not. If mounting is not allowed, you may be able to place the dish on a pole in your yard or on a ground-level stand, though performance may suffer if the dish is not high enough.

Is Starlink faster than my current internet?

That depends on what you have now. Starlink is usually faster than older satellite services like HughesNet or Viasat, and faster than dial-up or very slow DSL. It is typically slower than cable or fiber, but faster than no internet at all. Check your current speeds and compare them to Starlink's advertised speeds for your area.

What if I move to a different state?

You can take your Starlink dish with you and reactivate it at your new address. Starlink may charge a relocation fee if you move to a different service area. You can check whether your new address is in a service area before you move.

Can I use Starlink for a business?

Yes. Starlink offers a business plan with higher speeds and priority support, though it costs more than residential service. Some small businesses use Starlink as their primary internet; others use it as a backup connection if their main line fails.