Starlink’s engineering teams have embarked on an ambitious journey to redefine the benchmarks of internet connectivity, with their sights set on delivering an unparalleled online experience characterized by a stable 20 millisecond (ms) median latency and minimal packet loss. This initiative marks a significant leap forward in network performance, promising users across the globe an internet service that is not just faster, but also more reliable and responsive than ever before.

Groundbreaking Improvements in Network Performance

In a concerted effort to elevate the quality of internet connectivity, Starlink has achieved remarkable reductions in both median and worst-case latency for users worldwide. Notably, in the United States, the median latency during peak usage hours has been slashed by more than 30%, from an initial 48.5ms to an impressive 33ms. Similarly, the worst-case peak hour latency, measured at the 99th percentile, has seen a dramatic reduction of over 60%, dropping from over 150ms to less than 65ms. This trend of enhanced performance is not confined to the US alone; international users have also witnessed substantial improvements, with median latency decreasing by up to 25% and worst-case latencies by up to 35%.

The Critical Role of Latency in the User Experience

Latency, or the round-trip time it takes for a packet of data to travel from a user’s Starlink router to the internet and back, is a pivotal factor in the perceived quality of an internet connection. It influences a wide array of online activities, from the speed at which web pages load to the fluidity of audio and video calls, and the responsiveness of online gaming. Starlink’s nuanced approach to measuring latency involves collecting anonymized data from millions of routers every 15 seconds, using these insights to meticulously calculate both median and worst-case latency figures.

Unpacking the Drivers of Latency

Several key factors contribute to latency within the Starlink network, including:

• The inherent speed-of-light propagation delay in the signal’s journey to and from satellites.
• Ground latency, influenced by the physical distance between gateway sites and internet connection points.
• Scheduling latency, inherent in the allocation of network resources among users.

To address these challenges, Starlink has announced plans in 2024 to add additional Points of Presence in the US, alongside optimizing gateway locations to ensure the shortest possible route to the internet for users. This strategic expansion is complemented by rigorous optimizations across the network, targeting areas like scheduling latency and the elimination of inefficiencies that contribute to unnecessary delays.

A Continuous Quest for Optimization

Starlink’s commitment to reducing latency extends to every layer of the network, from satellite to router. Innovations such as active queue management in Starlink WiFi routers exemplify the holistic approach to enhancing user experience, ensuring that even when the network is under heavy load, latency-sensitive applications remain unaffected. The relentless pursuit of optimization has led to the deployment and testing of hundreds of software builds across satellites, gateways, and user equipment, each aimed at fine-tuning the network’s performance.

Towards a Future of Seamless Connectivity

As Starlink marches towards its goal of a 20ms median latency, the impact of these advancements on the global internet landscape cannot be overstated. With over 2.6 million customers and counting, Starlink’s efforts to refine and improve its service are a testament to a future where high-speed, low-latency internet is accessible to all, irrespective of geographic location. Users can look forward to continued improvements in latency and network performance, as Starlink remains dedicated to deploying additional ground infrastructure, launching more satellites, and prioritizing software changes.

Starlink invites its expansive user community to stay tuned for future updates, promising not just an enhancement of current service levels but a transformation of the internet experience at large. As we edge closer to achieving the 20ms latency milestone, the promise of a connected world, unbounded by traditional limitations of internet technology, becomes an increasingly tangible reality.