Elon Musk’s satellites in the sky over Xanthi

Compared to other satellite internet services, SpaceX claims to use the best equipment that is relatively easy and quick to install. This means that the user does not need any special knowledge to install it. It also offers fairly good data loading speeds, which according to SpaceXmay vary from 50 before 250 Mbps.

Greece is one of the countries where there has been a lot of discussion about Starlink. To the point where opinions have been expressed: Starlink is the answer to all the questions that exist regarding fast broadband connections in Greece.

Of course, everything is not so simple, and there are several parameters that everyone who wants to subscribe to the service must calculate. However for Starlink the main goal is to attract customers from areas where there is not even a broadband connection or places where terrestrial network coverage (either wired or wireless) is particularly poor.

Cost and speed

In addition, the initial cost of supplying the equipment is 654 euros plus transport costs, which in the case of Greece means 85 euros. Obviously, the initial cost is quite high for the average Greek household.

Regarding the suggested connection speed, SpaceX currently states that the service will range from 50 to 250 Mbps in terms of data downloads. International download speeds currently average between 100 and 120 Mbps, and upload speeds between 12 and 15 Mbps, according to measurements by independent agencies.

However, in Greece, on specialized forums, reports appeared about 400 Mbit/s in the early days of commercial availability. However, as stated on the website Starlinkit is very likely that the connection speed will be significantly slower during peak hours, that is, between 17:00 and 22:00.

Who needs it?

Considering both the high cost and the fact that connection speeds are no better than what a user can find in most regions of Greece, it is obvious that Starlink not for all. In addition, all major providers (Cosmote, Vodafone, Wind) are upgrading existing networks from copper to fiber optic to a building that will provide connection speeds of up to 1 Gbps. Plus fiber networks being developed by smaller “players” such as Inalan, which are focused on certain areas of urban centers.

It means that Starlink needed by consumers or businesses located in areas with very significant challenges to their broadband coverage. Points that are mainly located in rural areas does not mean that there are no such points even in the major urban centers of the country. But the cost is such that one needs to think carefully before one decides to choose Starlink to connect to the Internet.

Additionally, those who are having problems with their fixed broadband connection should check if they can replace it with a mobile connection.

At the moment, there are offers under which a user can purchase a mobile WiFi router costing from 40 to 150 euros (including for connecting to 4G networks), depending on the type of device. In addition, providers offer packages that cost around 25 euros behind 200 GB per month, which is quite affordable and in many cases covers the needs of users.

Of course, a necessary condition is the presence of coverage with at least a 4G network, which in most cases offers real speed 50-90 Mbit/s. To check the speeds offered by mobile networks in the area you are interested in, all you have to do is carry out the corresponding measurement using a specialized site such as Speedtest.gr.l