Starlink satellite internet from SpaceX has entered the Philippine market, delivering faster median download speeds than all fixed broadband providers combined, with a speed of 110.78 Mbps.
Despite higher latency compared to fixed broadband providers in the Philippines (162 ms for Starlink vs. local providers), Starlink's superior download speeds and expanding coverage make it an attractive option for users in the country.
Starlink's entrance in the Philippines is part of its ongoing global expansion, with recent launches in Nigeria and Peru showing promising results, further solidifying its position as a competitive internet service provider.
The increasing popularity and positive user feedback for Starlink's service, particularly in rural and non-metro areas, indicates a high level of satisfaction and willingness to recommend the service to others.
As satellite internet competition heats up, other providers like Amazon's Project Kuiper, Viasat, and HughesNet are also making significant advancements in their technology and infrastructure, aiming to increase capacity and improve user experience worldwide.
Starlink surges ahead, challenging fixed broadband dominance
Median download speeds for Starlink in the Philippines during Q1 2023 was a faster option than all fixed broadband providers combined.
At a glance
The competition in the satellite internet market has intensified as new data from Q4 2022 and Q1 2023 for HughesNet, SpaceX's Starlink, and Viasat has been revealed by Ookla. The Philippines, Nigeria, and Peru are among the countries experiencing Starlink's service for the first time.
According to Ookla's Speedtest Intelligence data, the Philippines had a median download speed of 110.78 Mbps with Starlink during Q1 2023, outperforming all fixed broadband providers combined. This significant speed demonstrates Starlink's growing popularity and effectiveness, especially in rural areas where users have limited internet options.
While Starlink's latency in the Philippines was higher than fixed broadband providers at 162ms, the overall performance indicates that satellite internet is becoming a more viable option for users in the country. Like those in the United States, the Philippines' Starlink users are more than willing to recommend the service and are pleased with the internet they are receiving.
Starlink's performance in other countries has also shown promise. In Nigeria, Starlink reached a median download speed of 61.75 Mbps, while in Peru, the service achieved a speed of 77.17 Mbps, which was statistically too close to call compared to the fixed broadband providers combined at 72.93 Mbps.
As satellite internet providers continue to improve their services, more countries will experience the benefits of faster and more reliable internet access. With 2023 shaping into a pivotal year for satellite internet, Ookla will continue monitoring developments and provide updated data in the coming quarters.