If you have seen the news, Starlink has taken the world by storm, but what about the Starlink vs fiber debate?
Fiber has also been around for a while and is a trusted internet provider; however, these internet services have various pros and cons.
Comparing Starlink internet to the household name of the fiber means we have to look at various factors, such as pricing, speed, and many more.
This impacts their suitability and performance for your home or business.
Let’s look at these providers and see which is better.
What is Starlink Internet?
Starlink is a satellite internet that uses a new technology to provide internet to its users.
This is a constellation of fast-moving LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites with a flat dish.
The groundwork is quite rigorous despite how simple it sounds.
Starlink is a part of SpaceX, which is Elon Musk’s company that deals with space travel.
You might know him for wanting to go to Mars! However, Starlink is focused on making our lives easier on Earth and giving everyone access to the internet.
You should know that Starlink is still developing, and they still have lots to grow on, so we must wait a long time to see what this internet could provide us with.
Key Features:
- Global coverage- They aim to cover underdeveloped and remote areas with a constellation of LEO satellites.
- A constellation of satellites- Starlink has thousands of smaller satellites in low Earth orbit, which work together to give us internet. The company is planning to launch thousands more.
- Dish- Starlink gives its users a dish terminal that communicates with the satellites in space to go online. It is very easy for users to set up.
- Expansion plans- SpaceX plans to expand the internet further and has been working on getting approvals in other countries to provide its internet worldwide.
(Starlink internet)
What Is Fiber Optic Internet?
Fiber cables have very tiny glass fibers that carry lots of signals of light at high speeds.
Sometimes, multiple cables are bundled into trunk cables, and these cables carry much more information.
The cables are usually underground, but you would see them above ground as well.
The signals are made of pulses of laser light, or LED, instead of electricity.
Fiber is commonly used in urban and suburban areas, giving homes, businesses, and institutions very high-speed internet.
It is considered one of the most efficient and advanced technologies for giving users fast internet services.
Key Features:
- Security- FIber cables are much more secure than other copper cables since their signals cannot be tapped into. This makes fiber more secure and less prone to data breaches and cyber threats. Businesses and organizations appreciate this especially.
- High speed- FIber has better download and upload speeds compared to other types of internet. The speed ranges from hundreds of Mbps to gigabits (Gbps). This high speed lets you do whatever you want, from gaming to streaming.
- Reliability- Fiber cables are more reliable because they are not prone to electromagnetic interference, which keeps the connection very stable.
- Future-proof tech- Fiber is seen as this because it has lots of potential for continuous upgrades and improvements, ensuring it can always meet our demands for good bandwidth and speed in coming years.
(fiber optic cables)
Starlink vs Fiber
Now, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for the comparison between Starlink and Fiber. Let’s look at them in terms of the following factors.
How they work
Starlink
Starlink uses the low Earth orbit satellites to give everyone internet around the world.
This is done using a satellite dish terminal, which signals the satellite network, a simple communication that gives you access to surf the net.
Fiber Optic
Fiber gives us the internet by using data as pulses of light through plastic fiber or thin strands of glass.
This service uses the principle of internal reflection, as the light goes down the fiber and allows high-speed data transmission.
With this, you get high speeds, bandwidth, and super reliable internet.
Speed
Starlink
Starlink Internet gives you speeds from 50 Mbps to 150 Mbps, but they aim to improve them.
However, these speeds are variable because various factors affect it, such as network congestion. It is still good for users who are in remote areas.
They also have fairly low latency, which ranges from 20 ms to 40 ms.
This lets you do online gaming and streaming easily, improving the user experience.
Starlink is the future of providing internet through satellite technology.
Fiber Optic
Fiber optic internet is known for its super-fast speed, ranging from hundreds of Mbps to even gigabits per second!
This allows quick and seamless data transfer for many online activities, such as streaming, downloading, and gaming.
You can easily create content, watch it, or game seamlessly with no buffering!
Fiber also has low latency, which means that you will not experience lots of lagging during your internet surfing.
(satellite in space)
Cost
Starlink
Starlink users must buy the satellite dish terminal and the hardware kit and pay monthly for the internet.
The exact pricing depends on where you live and when they offer promotions.
You also have to consider what other accessories you want to buy, like when you want to extend its range and need a Wi-Fi extender.
Fiber Optic
The cost here varies on different things like the provider, location, and what plan you choose.
Usually, fiber is more expensive to do because of the special equipment needed.
Monthly payments for your internet can also be costly because of all the providers around.
Businesses can also face additional costs because of their special service needs and bandwidth.
Availability and reliability
Starlink
Starlink is constantly working on expanding its availability, focusing on remote regions and rural parts of the world.
However, it is not available everywhere at the moment, and availability is based on infrastructure and approvals.
Bad weather may affect the internet, but they are working to make the system more resistant to these things.
Fiber Optic
Many internet providers offer fiber in all regions where all the networks have been built.
Fiber is also known for being very reliable because it is fast and does not lose connectivity due to bad weather and other things.
Since it is not made from copper cables, it will not be damaged because of bad weather. So, you can still watch your favorite shows during the rainstorm!
Pros and cons
Starlink
Pros-
- Easy to set up.
- Low latency, better to game and stream.
- High speed and good connectivity.
- It is affordable.
Cons-
- Bad weather may affect the connection.
- Limited availability since it’s new.
- The network may slow at peak hours.
Fiber
Pros-
- Very high speeds.
- Low latency.
- Extremely reliable, as it is not affected by bad weather.
- High bandwidth can maintain lots of users.
- Very secure.
Cons-
- The cost is a lot to install.
- Limited availability.
- Upkeep may be difficult and expensive.
Conclusion
Considering the high speeds, reliability, and other favorable factors, it seems like fiber internet is the way to go!
However, Starlink is coming up, too, providing internet to people who are far out and need a budget internet service.