Average Starlink Speed UK
HOW FAST IS STARLINK IN THE UK
DOES STARLINK DELIVER ON THE HYPE?
Elon Musk's satellite constellation promises "fibre-like" speeds from space, but for users in the UK, the reality often depends on your specific hardware and subscription tier. With the introduction of the new 100 Mbps, 200 Mbps and Max tiers, the definition of "average speed" has shifted. We have analysed the latest 2026 data to show you exactly what performance you can expect.
THE DOWNLOAD NUMBERS
In the UK, the average download speed for Starlink users has stabilised thanks to the density of the V2 satellite fleet. However, your specific plan now dictates your maximum potential.
RESIDENTIAL 100 (THE £35 PLAN)
On this tier, you are hard-capped. Real-world tests show users consistently hitting 80-95 Mbps. Because the network capacity is often higher than this, the connection feels incredibly stable—you rarely see the buffering that plagues oversubscribed copper lines. Drops to 60-70 Mbps can occur during heavy storms, but outages are rare.
RESIDENTIAL MAX (THE £75 PLAN)
This is the "unlocked" experience. For users with the Gen 3 router on this plan, speeds typically range between 150 Mbps and 280 Mbps off-peak. During peak evening hours (6pm to 9pm), speeds may dip to around 110-130 Mbps, which is still comfortably faster than most rural alternatives.
LATENCY AND UPLOAD
Speed isn't just about downloading files. For gaming and video calls, latency (ping) and upload speeds are vital.
- Latency: The UK average sits between 28ms and 45ms. While not quite as snappy as full fibre (FTTP) which can be sub-10ms, it is lightyears ahead of old geostationary satellite internet (600ms+). It is perfectly playable for online games like Call of Duty or Fortnite, though competitive players may notice occasional jitters.
- Upload Speed: This remains the weak point of satellite technology compared to symmetrical fibre. Expect averages of 15 Mbps to 25 Mbps across all plans. This is sufficient for Zoom calls and cloud backups but slower than what you would get on a Gigabit fibre line.
WEATHER & OBSTRUCTIONS
The UK is famous for its rain, and many potential users worry about "rain fade." In our testing, light to moderate rain has a negligible impact on speed. However, heavy storms and dense cloud cover can reduce speeds by 30-40% temporarily.
Obstructions are a bigger speed killer than weather. Even a single tree branch blocking the northern sky can cause "micro-drops," which won't affect Netflix (due to buffering) but will disconnect a Teams call or a gaming session instantly. The Starlink app's "Check for Obstructions" tool is essential before you order.
REGIONAL VARIANCE
Does it matter if you are in Cornwall or the Highlands? Generally, no. One of Starlink's strengths is the consistency of the grid. Users in the Scottish Highlands often report better speeds than those in the south, simply because there is less congestion in their specific "cell" of the network.
STARLINK VS 4G/5G HOME BROADBAND
The biggest rival to Starlink in rural areas isn't fibre, but 5G Home Broadband from providers like Three or EE. Here is how they compare in the real world.
| METRIC | STARLINK (100) | STARLINK (MAX) | RURAL 4G/5G |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVG DOWNLOAD | 80-95 MBPS | 150-250 MBPS | 20-100 MBPS* |
| LATENCY | 30-45 MS | 25-40 MS | 40-80 MS |
| CONSISTENCY | HIGH | HIGH | VARIABLE |
| CONTRACT | 30 DAYS | 30 DAYS | 24 MONTHS |
*5G speeds are highly dependent on distance from the mast. In true rural areas, signal often drops to 4G speeds.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DOES STARLINK SLOW DOWN IN THE EVENING?
It can. Like all internet services, "peak hours" (usually 6pm–9pm) see the most traffic. On Starlink, you might see a 10-20% dip in speeds during these times, but in the UK it is rarely severe enough to affect streaming quality.
IS THE UPLOAD SPEED GOOD FOR YOUTUBE/TWITCH?
If you are uploading massive 4K video files, it will take longer than on a full fibre line. However, for streaming live to Twitch at 1080p, the stable 15-20 Mbps upload offered by Starlink is generally sufficient.
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM POSSIBLE SPEED?
On the "Residential Max" tier, users have reported speeds exceeding 500 Mbps in optimal conditions, though this is rare. 250-300 Mbps is a more realistic expectation for the high-performance tier.
SUMMARY: FASTER THAN YOU THINK
Starlink has shaken off its early reputation for instability. In 2026, it is delivering speeds that genuinely rival terrestrial fibre for most users. If you are stuck on copper ADSL getting 5Mbps, jumping to a consistent 100Mbps or more is a transformative upgrade. Just watch out for those trees!