Have you ever sought to know how Starlink vs. Verizon compares?
Starlink is the most talked about satellite in the telecommunication industry.
It has changed how many people view satellite internet thanks to its speed and low latency.
However, we’ll show you how this provider performs by comparing it with one of the industry giants, Verizon.
Table of Contents
- What is Starlink?
- What is Verizon?
- Starlink vs. Verizon: Here is How They Compare
- How do Starlink and Verizon Compare in Terms of Pricing?
- Starlink vs. Verizon: Which one is Available in My Area?
- Starlink vs. Verizon: Final Verdict
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet provider offered by SpaceX to improve internet speed and reliability in remote areas.
It involves the transmission of an internet signal from a satellite in low earth orbit to the satellite dish you install in your compound.
Placing satellites in low orbit reduces the distance internet signals have to cover and, therefore, interference.
For that reason, it has a more reliable connection and a faster internet speed than other types of satellites, such as HughesNet and Viasat.
Broadband satellite train orbit the earth
What is Verizon?
Verizon is a telecommunication company that offers both wired and wireless internet services.
In addition to offering internet access to your home and business, Verizon offers phone and television services.
The wireless service offers internet access to mobile devices through cellular towers, while the wired service offers internet access to your home and business via fiber optic DSL technology.
Telecommunication tower
Starlink vs. Verizon: Here is How They Compare
Verizon has different versions with very different qualities.
So we’ll compare Starlink against each.
Starlink vs. Verizon DSL
Let’s begin with the Verizon version with the lowest speed. Verizon DSL download speed tops at only 15 Mbps, while upload speed is as low as 1 Mbps.
This is far lower than Residential Starlink, with download speeds ranging between 50 Mbps and to 100Mbps.
The fastest offer from Starlink is the Business plan with a download speed of up to 300Mbps.
Starlink can be 5-10 times faster than Verizon DSL.
If you have a DSL in your home and are looking to replace it with a faster service, Starlink is a great option if you can access it.
You will enjoy smoother streaming and download or upload files effectively.
Though Verizon DSL speed can also stream videos, not in 4k, you will also experience buffering.
The best part, this speed comes with no data cap.
However, Verizon DSL has its advantages too. It has been around for years, and therefore, it’s a well-established internet provider.
Though the latency tends to be the same, 20-50ms, Verizon DSL has more stable ping and fewer drops.
This is why I may recommend it for gaming over Starlink.
Launching Starlink
Starlink vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
5G home internet is a new version from Verizon.
Unlike Starlink, designed with remote areas in mind, Verizon 5G home internet prioritizes urban and suburban areas.
The speed of Verizon 5G home internet can widely vary depending on your location.
However, it has a much better speed than DSL and, in some areas, Starlink.
The provider promises a download speed of 1Gbps and an upload speed of 50Mbps.
However, we can’t assume this is the speed you will always get.
It depends on some factors, such as your location and peak hours. In most cases, most users report lower speeds with a significant margin.
Our test was slightly less than 100Mbps download speed most of the time. The upload speed was 25Mbps during peak hours.
Starlink, especially the business plan, can have a better download and upload speed in most locations.
Furthermore, Starlink speed tends to be more consistent.
The real issue with Starlink is drops that occur daily.
This compromises its stability and reliability.
However, we expect this to improve as SpaceX launches more Starlink satellites into low earth orbit.
Home-based connections don’t frequent outages like Starlink.
You are not worried about something obstructing the view of the sky for your dish.
The real issue with Verizon 5G home internet is ping spikes.
The network usually gets crowded during peak hours, compromising its performance.
It normally offers good performers for gaming, but it can be frustrating during peak hours.
Concept of 5G technology
Starlink vs. Verizon Fios
Verizon Fios uses fiber-to-the-home technology to offer fast and reliable internet.
It promises a download and upload speed of 1Gbps, and you will get around 950 Mbps download speed in most areas due to packet overhead.
This is a lot because you can perfectly be fine with 100Mbps to 500Mbps download speed.
That said, Fios is a high-speed fiber internet far faster than Starlink.
Cable internet usually has a higher speed and lowest latency than other providers, and Verizon Fios is not exceptional.
Besides, fiber connections are reliable and free from external interference, unlike Starlink, where your dish view of the sky may be obstructed.
Verizon Fios is a great option if you need reliable internet to run critical tasks such as using VoIP services or running a small business.
Latency is low, 5-20ms, compared to 20-40ms of Starlink.
Communication platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom will perform nicely without drops.
How do Starlink and Verizon Compare in Terms of Pricing?
The cost of these two internet providers varies depending on plan and location.
Verizon’s price can also be affected by when you sign up and the promotions offered by the company.
Whatever the case, expect to spend between $40 and $120 monthly.
Starlink equipment, including a basic Wi-Fi router and a Starlink dish, will cost you a one-time fee of $599.
Then come the monthly service fees of around $99.
Starlink vs. Verizon: Which one is Available in My Area?
Verizon has more extensive coverage and is available in more locations than Starlink.
However, Starlink’s target is to offer internet coverage to users globally.
Its priority is remote areas where Verizon or traditional cable infrastructure is limited.
Therefore, if you can’t access it now, it is just a matter of time before their service will reach you.
Starlink vs. Verizon: Final Verdict
The experience you will get from these two providers will be better than most internet services.
Starlink is a great service; many users prefer it over DSL and even 5G home internet.
Its biggest strength over cable is the potential coverage and lack of data cap.
This means once you purchase your plan, you can do anything on the internet without the worry of internet throttle.
However, Verizon Fios performs better in streaming, gaming, and downloading files.
Verizon Fios is the best if you need a more reliable internet provider between these two services.
