Speed, Coverage, and Cost: An In-Depth Comparison of Starlink vs. Fiber

We’re long past the days of dial-up internet service (thank goodness!), and there are now services that provide significantly faster upload and download speeds and much lower latency. Two of the most common are Starlink vs. fiber, which is why it’s not surprising that one of the most common questions is: which is better. They each offer distinct advantages as well as drawbacks, depending on the user, their needs, and their location. Let’s break it down.

Pros and Cons of Starlink

Starlink is a newer satellite-based internet service provided by Space X. It’s designed to offer high-speed internet coverage around the globe. Because it doesn’t rely on fiber in the ground, it can be especially beneficial for more remote locations where cable or fiber isn’t available.

Speeds can vary significantly depending on your geographic location, network congestion, obstructions, and weather. Top speeds can reach up to 150 Mbps. But it’s important to understand that the speeds fluctuate.

Latency, or the time it takes for data to travel, is also higher with Starlink vs. fiber. It can go up to 80 ms but tends to range between 35 and 50 ms. Weather, such as heavy rains, snow, and wind, as well as various obstructions, can increase latency significantly.

The cost of equipment and installation is expensive. The hardware kit alone can cost up to $600 for residential users. Installation is fairly straightforward, and most people can install it themselves. However, professionals can be called in for more unusual situations.

Customer support for Starlink is usually only via text messaging or online chat. While some consumers consider this a great convenience, others prefer to speak with customer support directly.

Starlink does have one powerful advantage: it’s widely available, even in areas that currently provide no fiber access. It’s also a good option for people who are on the go. For example, if you travel a lot, Starlink Roam can travel with you to many locations throughout the U.S. Canada, Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia and Africa. So, it’s appealing to people who are more nomadic, such as those who love RVing or travel abroad.

Pros and Cons of Fiber Internet

Fiber internet uses fiber-optic cables that transmit data using light signals. The result is significantly faster speeds, ranging from 250 Mbps to 1 Gbps and even higher! Fiber also has the lowest latency, typically ranging from 15 ms to 20 ms, which makes it ideal for any online activities requiring fast data transfer.

One of the biggest benefits of fiber is its symmetrical speeds. That is, upload and download speeds are the same. This can be highly useful for people who upload a lot of data.

Fiber is also typically significantly more reliable than satellite-based services like Starlink. It’s also less likely to be disrupted due to weather, so it provides more stable connectivity.

The biggest drawback of fiber is that it’s simply not always available. While many cities and suburban areas are expanding networks, if you live in a rural area—even just minutes outside of town—you may not have access. Developing the infrastructure takes time and large costs for providers.

If you do have fiber internet access from AT&T, you can expect high speeds (up to 5,000 Mbps), great value, and friendly customer service.

Which one you choose—Starlink vs. fiber—often comes down to your location. If you don’t currently have access to fiber or find you don’t need higher speeds, Starlink may be one of your best options. However, if you’re in an urban or suburban area with access to fiber, the high-speed, low-latency, and reliability of fiber is likely preferable.

Starlink vs. Fiber: A Question of Cost

Costs for Starlink vs. fiber can vary significantly, depending on your needs, location, and the plan you choose.

Starlink tends to cost less when it comes to installation. You’ll need a satellite dish, a Wi-Fi router, a power cable, and mounting hardware, which can add up to around $600. If you need professional help with installation due, for instance, to obstructions like trees or other buildings, that can also increase the costs.

In addition, you’ll pay a monthly fee. Currently, most residential users pay around $110 per month, though prices vary depending on your location and the plan chosen. There’s a more expensive Priority plan for users who require high-speed data and improved mobility, with monthly costs starting at $250.

The costs for fiber depend on the provider and the required devices. However, they typically range between $500 and $1,500. You’ll also pay a monthly subscription fee ranging between $50 and $200, again depending on the provider, the location, and the plan. AT&T offers different fiber plans with speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. The fast speeds tend to have higher costs.

While installation costs to connect a home to a fiber network do require professional assistance, which often leads to higher costs, many providers like AT&T offer free or discounted equipment and installation with a long-term contract.

In areas where fiber is readily available, monthly costs also tend to be more affordable due to increased competition, decreased installation costs, and existing infrastructure. For users who need higher bandwidth with lower latency, fiber can also be more cost-effective due to its superior performance. Again, however, fiber isn’t available in all areas.

AT&T fiber plans range from $35 to $60 per month, depending on the plan (DSL, cable, and fiber-optic service) and location. AT&T fiber offers the fastest speeds and most reliable and consistent service with equal upload and download speeds with lower latency.

Starlink vs. Fiber

In summary, AT&T is more affordable in many locations. It also provides faster, more consistent speeds. However, fiber isn’t available in all locations. Because Starlink provides satellite internet service, it offers broader coverage for more remote areas. Which one you choose will likely depend on your location, the availability of fiber infrastructure, your needs, and your budget.