Starlink plans to introduce gigabit download speeds via its satellite network in 2026. Initially, these speeds will be available only to owners of the most expensive equipment.

Availability of Gigabit Speeds

According to a newsletter for corporate clients, users of the Business Maritime plan who have purchased the PerformanceKit package for $1,999 and pay at least $250 per month for a 50 GB package will be able to double their download speeds by the end of December. Specifically, Starlink customers on ships and yachts using the PerformanceGen 3 terminal will have the opportunity to reach speeds close to 1 Gbps. However, this increase in bandwidth may also lead to higher monthly payments. Currently, this terminal provides download speeds of up to 475 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 75 Mbps, which is comparable to the standard kit sold for $349 on Amazon. Thus, doubling the speed will bring maritime connections closer to gigabit levels.

Prospects for Land-Based Clients

It is expected that business customers on land will be able to access gigabit speeds in 2027, when the deployment of V3 satellites begins. The launch of Starship Flight 14, which is set to deliver the first batch of V3 satellites into orbit, is scheduled for the upcoming Monday. These satellites, when their solar panels are deployed, are comparable in size to a Boeing 737 and offer ten times the bandwidth of the V2 equipment. Launching them requires the Starship rocket, which is still undergoing testing.

Scaling the Satellite Network

For widespread adoption of gigabit speeds, a significant expansion of the V3 satellite constellation is necessary. The first batch, scheduled for launch on September 28, will increase Starlink’s total network capacity by 3%.

Changes in Tariffs and Pricing Policy

Changes to tariff plans are expected soon. Starting December 1, Starlink will rename the Local Priority and Global Priority tiers to Business Plan and Global Business Plan, respectively. At the same time, prices will rise in the UK, and a new restriction will be introduced: Business Plan users will be able to use the service outside their home region for only 30 days, after which they will be switched to the more expensive global plan.

Currently, the top business plan with 2 TB of data costs up to $2,150 per month, offering peak speeds of 400 Mbps. With the introduction of faster maritime connections, a review of the pricing policy is possible. The V3 satellites will also provide a 24-fold increase in upload speeds, but the stated rates of up to 160 Gbps may not be available immediately after the first batch is launched.