SpaceX Allegedly Developing Superfast Starlink Satellite Dish for Gigabit Speeds
Starlink Performance Gen 3 Dish Unveiled: A Leap Towards Gigabit Internet Speeds
SpaceX has announced the rollout of its new Starlink Performance Gen 3 dish, aiming to deliver potential gigabit internet speeds starting from June 2025. The new dish is a significant upgrade over previous models, boasting improved durability and performance [2].
The new Starlink dish surpasses the current 200Mbps speeds offered by Starlink, marking a significant jump in internet speed capabilities. However, it's important to note that the gigabit speed capability depends not only on the new dish hardware but also on the continued expansion and enhancement of the satellite network itself to support such high bandwidth [2].
SpaceX's large and rapidly growing satellite constellation, currently numbering over 7,500 satellites by mid-2025, is scaling capacity to enable much higher throughput, targeting multiple terabits per second globally [1]. The company is awaiting FCC approval for the necessary upgrades to deliver these high speeds.
The new dish improves on the prior "Flat High Performance" dish (Gen 2) with a smaller, lighter, and more rugged design, rated for harsh environments, including IP69K certification for water and dust resistance [2]. SpaceX is also planning to introduce the gigabit dish to business customers before making it available to consumers.
In addition, a refreshed high-performance dish is being prepared for enterprise buyers. Pricing for Starlink hardware and service is evolving, with the new device model priced at $499 in the U.S. [1]. The competition is particularly relevant in remote areas, where traditional fiber networks may not be readily available.
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell has predicted that Starlink speeds could reach as high as 2 gigabits. The rollout of the gigabit Starlink dish depends on SpaceX's success in deploying V3 Starlink satellites via the Starship vehicle. The expansion of Starlink's radio spectrum usage is crucial for delivering these high speeds.
The information about the new dish was shared in a webinar for Starlink resellers, with a person who watched the presentation revealing this information. The new dish's launch represents a significant step forward in SpaceX's mission to provide high-speed internet access to people worldwide, especially in remote and underserved areas.
The Starlink Performance Gen 3 dish, pioneered by SpaceX, is a crucial step towards delivering potential gigabit internet speeds, surpassing the previous 200Mbps speeds and aiming for speeds up to 2 gigabits, as revealed by SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell. This advancement in space-and-astronomy technology and science is expected to expand high-speed internet access, particularly in remote and underserved regions, where traditional technology infrastructure may not be readily available.
