Once again, internet speeds for SpaceX’s Starlink system are slowing down for users in North America, according to Ookla Speedtest data.
In Q1, median download speeds for Starlink users in the US reached 90.55Mbps, down from 104.97Mbps in Q4 2021. Upload speeds dropped to 9.33Mbps from 12.04Mbps.
The same trends occurred for Starlink users in Canada. In Q1, median download speeds were 97.40Mbps, declining from 106.64Mbps in Q4. Upload speeds also dipped to 10.70Mbps, down from 12.82Mbps.
Ookla published the report as some Starlink users have been complaining about fluctuating internet speeds throughout the day, which they suspect is due to network congestion.
“Starlink is oversold in North America,” Nelson Minor, a blogger based in California, wrote earlier this month. “I've had the service since March 2021 and it's mostly great. But every evening it slows down. On bad nights I can't watch a single 1080p video stream reliably.”
Ookla’s report is based on data from Speedtest.net, which anyone can use to check their internet connection’s speed. However, it only covers the period between January and March 2022.
Ookla also pointed out that overall Starlink’s internet speeds have been on the upward trend if you look at Speedtest data on a global basis. For instance, in some countries across Europe, Starlink can beat the median download speeds from ground-based broadband providers.
In addition, Starlink’s download speeds have increased overall for users in both the US and Canada when looking at the data on a year-over-year basis. The technology has also been dramatically outperforming other satellite internet providers, such as Viasat and HughesNet.
SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But the company has been steadily attracting more Starlink subscribers, which is now serving nearly 500,000 users across the globe. In May, it also began selling Starlink RV, which has no waitlist for new subscribers.
To improve Starlink’s coverage and internet speeds, SpaceX is working to launch thousands of additional satellites into Earth’s orbit. But this will take time and require regulatory approval.