SpaceX Targets 2-Gigabit Speeds for Starlink with New Upgrades

SpaceX is poised to revolutionize satellite internet with plans to deliver 2-gigabit-per-second (Gbps) speeds through its Starlink system.

Speaking at the Annual Baron Investment Conference, SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell revealed that next-generation upgrades will enhance the satellite network’s capacity and efficiency, bringing faster and more reliable internet to millions of users worldwide.

Shotwell compared the pace of advancements in Starlink’s satellite communications to Moore’s Law, which predicts a doubling of computing power roughly every two years. “The cycle of increased capacity is basically on the same cycle as chipsets, which is like double the capability every two years,” she said.

Currently, Starlink users can achieve download speeds between 100 and 200 Mbps with a single $349 dish, and gigabit speeds are possible using multiple dishes. However, the planned upgrades will enable single dishes to achieve gigabit and even 2-Gbps speeds, thanks to improved satellite and signal technology. This marks a significant leap in SpaceX’s efforts to make high-speed internet accessible in remote and underserved areas.

The rollout of these capabilities will depend heavily on SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft, designed to carry heavier and more advanced satellites into orbit. Following a successful test flight last month, Starship is seen as a critical component of Starlink’s expansion. “I would not be surprised if we fly 400 Starship launches in the next four years… I have a lot of satellites to fly,” Shotwell remarked, emphasizing SpaceX’s commitment to scaling its operations.

To support the enhanced network, SpaceX has requested permission from the Federal Communications Commission to use additional radio bands and operate nearly 30,000 satellites in low Earth orbit. This expansion would significantly increase the network’s capacity and coverage, surpassing the 6,600 satellites currently in operation.

With nearly 5 million users already benefiting from its services, Starlink is on the cusp of transforming global internet connectivity. By combining technological innovation with ambitious deployment goals, SpaceX is not just advancing satellite broadband — it’s reshaping the possibilities for high-speed internet access around the world.