The year 2023 has been a revolutionary one for the space industry, with various satellite competitors making significant strides. This article will delve into the details of Ookla’s Q2 2023 report, focusing on Starlink’s performance in Africa and the latest updates from other major players in the satellite industry.
Starlink’s Impressive Debut in Africa
Starlink, which first launched on the African continent in Nigeria in January 2023, has shown promising early results. According to Speedtest Intelligence, Starlink outperformed all aggregate fixed broadband providers combined in Nigeria during Q2 2023. The median download speed for Starlink was recorded at 63.69 Mbps, significantly higher than the 15.60 Mbps for fixed broadband providers. Although upload speeds were more similar, with Starlink at 13.72 Mbps and fixed broadband providers at 10.60 Mbps, Starlink still managed to edge out its competitors.
In Rwanda, the competition was tighter. Starlink recorded a median download speed of 63.10 Mbps in Q2 2023, compared to 34.55 Mbps for fixed broadband providers. However, Starlink trailed behind in median upload speed, recording 6.88 Mbps compared to 10.05 Mbps for fixed broadband providers.
Starlink continues to lead among satellite providers globally and is only just beginning its expansion. With plans for a busy rest of 2023 and 2024 in Africa, Asia, and South America, Starlink is marking its intent to expand into most of the world.
