"Comparing Starlink satellite internet to 5G cellular internet service is like comparing apples to oranges. While both provide an internet connection, they differ significantly in pricing, speed, and dependencies. For instance, 5G is not yet widely available in rural areas due to its reliance on dense cell tower infrastructure, whereas Starlink coverage is now accessible in most areas across all 50 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, using 5G requires devices that are 5G-enabled, a requirement not necessary for satellite internet, provided you have the Starlink dish mounted correctly and turn on the Wi-Fi router device. With 5G, your proximity to the nearest cell tower, as well as physical obstructions like buildings, walls, and trees, can affect your speed. In contrast, Starlink satellite signals require a clear 360 view of the sky but are not dependent on having a sightline to a nearby cell tower.

Speed Comparison

The speed of your internet connection determines your ability to comfortably stream music, shows, and films, engage in online gaming or participate in live video calls and meetings, and how many people in your household can be online doing these activities simultaneously, among other things.

Starlink internet speeds are in the range of 90 Mbps with a few dependencies that include weather, network congestion and proper equipment positioning. Starlink speeds can be verified in real-time on the Starlink website.

5G has the potential to deliver speeds of 10 Gbps but currently the real world experience ranges from about 50 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Even at the ground-floor level of 50 Mbps you can have more than one household member on a video call with cameras, or more than one person streaming TV or films. 5G speeds depend on network infrastructure, the frequency band, and the number of devices connected to the network. 5G speeds are also impacted by distance from the cell tower that anchors the antennas and transceivers that receive and transmit the radio signals.

Price Comparison

Starlink costs vary by region but generally includes an upfront fee for the hardware kit and a monthly subscription fee. The hardware kit you’ll have to purchase and install is currently $599 for residential service plus a monthly rate of $120/mo. For business, the equipment cost is $2,500 and the monthly bill is $500. You can also get RV service for $135/mo. plus the $599 equipment fee. The pricing is generally higher than entry-level traditional satellite internet plans but lower than the premium traditional service tiers and is justified by its higher speeds and lower latency.

5G costs can vary depending on the provider and your services but overall plans shouldn’t be that much more than 4G plans that start at about $30 per month up to $100+. 5G Home Internet plans might range from approximately $50 to $100 per month plus taxes and fees. The pricing often depends on the speed and data allowance, with some providers offering unlimited data plans. Mobile 5G plans may now include 5G service as a silent upgrade to the standard 4G service. As carriers obtain 5G access they may include the upgrade to your mobile plan at any time. The amount of data in your plan as well as how many lines you have along with features like international roaming and hotspot tethering can increase price, as can amortizing the payoff for a new device over time.

Starlink Briefing

Starlink is a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX, a company founded by Elon Musk. It represents a significant shift in satellite internet technology, offering high-speed internet access with lower latency compared to traditional satellite internet services.

• Low Earth Orbit Satellites: Unlike traditional satellite internet services that use geostationary satellites located about 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles) above Earth, Starlink uses a constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes ranging from 550 to 1,200 kilometers (340 to 750 miles). This closer proximity reduces latency and increases internet speed.
• High-Speed Internet: Starlink provides high-speed broadband internet, with download speeds that can exceed 100 Mbps, and in some cases, reaching up to 200 Mbps or more. This makes it competitive with ground-based broadband services.
• Lower Latency: Due to the lower altitude of its satellites, Starlink offers lower latency (the time it takes for data to travel from the user to the satellite and back) compared to traditional satellite internet. Latencies can be as low as 20-40 milliseconds, which is comparable to or better than some ground-based internet services.
• Global Coverage: One of the main goals of Starlink is to provide internet access to underserved and remote areas around the world. While it's rolling out gradually, the service aims to offer global coverage, including in regions where traditional broadband is unavailable or unreliable.
• Easy Setup: Starlink provides a user-friendly kit that includes a small satellite dish (often referred to as "Dishy McFlatface"), a mounting tripod, and a Wi-Fi router. The setup is designed to be simple, with the dish using automated positioning to align itself for optimal signal reception.
• Dynamic Expansion: SpaceX is continuously launching new satellites to expand the Starlink network. As the number of satellites in orbit increases, the network's coverage, capacity, and reliability are expected to improve. Starlink is a strong option for users in rural or remote areas without access to high-speed terrestrial internet connections. It's also being considered for use in various industries, including maritime, aviation, and emergency response.

5G Briefing

5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology for cellular networks, following the previous 4G, 3G, and 2G generations. It is designed to provide faster speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity than its predecessors, enabling a new wave of technological advancements and applications.

• Higher Speeds: 5G offers significantly faster data speeds compared to 4G. While 4G networks typically provide speeds around 20 Mbps, 5G speeds can exceed 1 Gbps under optimal conditions. This means quicker downloads, smoother streaming, and an overall more efficient internet experience.
• Lower Latency: Latency, or the time it takes for data to travel from its source to its destination, is greatly reduced in 5G networks. 5G aims to achieve latencies as low as 1 millisecond, compared to the 20-30 milliseconds typical on 4G networks. This improvement is crucial for applications requiring real-time feedback, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and gaming.
• Increased Connectivity: 5G networks can support a higher density of connected devices than 4G. This is particularly important for the Internet of Things (IoT), where large numbers of devices – from smart home appliances to industrial sensors – need to be connected simultaneously without congestion.
• Network Slicing: 5G introduces the concept of network slicing, which allows operators to create multiple virtual networks within a single physical 5G network. This can be tailored to different needs and requirements, such as a slice for low-latency applications and another for high-bandwidth usage, optimizing the network for diverse applications.
• Improved Capacity: 5G networks have a greater capacity, meaning they can handle more data transmission than 4G. This is achieved through advanced technologies like Massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output), which uses more antennas at both the transmitter and receiver to improve communication performance.
• Applications and Use Cases: Beyond just enhancing mobile phone usage, 5G has the potential to revolutionize various sectors, including telemedicine, autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and industrial automation. Its ability to handle large amounts of data at high speeds and with low latency makes it ideal for these advanced applications.
• Deployment Phases: The rollout of 5G networks is occurring in stages, with initial deployments often focused in urban areas and gradually expanding to cover more regions. The full realization of 5G's potential, especially in terms of ultra-reliable low-latency communication, is still a work in progress.
• Frequency Bands: 5G operates across different frequency bands, including low-band (sub-1 GHz), mid-band (1-6 GHz), and high-band or millimeter wave (above 24 GHz). Each band has its trade-offs in terms of coverage and speed, with lower frequencies offering wider coverage but lower speeds, and higher frequencies offering higher speeds but limited coverage.
• Compatibility: To use 5G, you need devices that are 5G-enabled, such as smartphones, tablets, or wireless modems. As the technology matures, more devices are becoming available with 5G capability.

5G will have a significant impact on society and the economy, enabling new services, creating new industries, and potentially improving quality of life through enhanced connectivity.

Bottom line: At face value, 5G service, where available, can currently cost less than Starlink satellite internet. Importantly, the 5G requirement to have all your online devices, including your router, enabled for 5G service may lead to replacing certain of your key devices. Those costs should be factored into your decision. You may also want to talk with your neighbors where possible, and check online forums, to learn how users are solving real-world challenges that can arise with either connection type.