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Ofcom Moves Ahead with Plan to Share Upper 6GHz Radio Band for Mobile and Wi-Fi in the UK

Ofcom, the UK’s independent regulator for telecoms (among other things), has recently confirmed that the UK is set to be the first European country to adopt a proposal that allows low power indoor Wi-Fi signals and outdoor mobile broadband (4G, 5G etc.) networks to “share” access to the Upper 6GHz radio spectrum band (6425 to 7125MHz).

This comes as very welcome and celebratory news to Wi-Fi professionals across the country, who have been waiting for this to happen for a while! 

The lower part of the 6GHz band (5925 to 6425MHz) has already been made available for Wi-Fi by Ofcom through the latest Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 standards. However, the availability (or lack of) of the upper part has remained the subject to debate. 

Why do Mobile and Wi-Fi operators want access to the Upper 6GHz band?

Mobile operators want to harness the upper band, in a licensed way, in order to deliver faster 5G and future 6G based data speeds. 

Other groups maintain that the upper band should be accessed by licence-exempt consumer Wi-Fi. 

Current users of the upper band, for example, satellite, radio astronomy and fixed services, also share concerns that allowing access to other users will risk causing interference.

Part of the proposal has also been to allow outdoor and higher power Wi-Fi to operate within the Lower 6GHz band under the control of an Automated Frequency Coordination database (historically only low power indoor use Wi-Fi has accessed the lower band). The AFC database will help protect other users from interference, whilst improving Wi-Fi coverage in places like hospitals, factories and sports stadiums. 

Both sides of the debate, for and against sharing access to the upper 6GHz band, have given strong arguments. Ofcom have spent the last few years looking into ‘hybrid sharing’ to try and find some middle-ground between the two camps. This would, hopefully, mean that both Wi-Fi and mobile could be used in the upper 6GHz band. We should caveat this by saying that the co-existence of the two without causing interference remains a challenge. 

How does this ‘hybrid sharing’ of the Upper 6GHz band work? 

Ofcom’s ‘hybrid sharing’ approach works by dividing up the upper 6GHz band. This means that Wi-Fi would be prioritised in one part and mobile in the other. Each would have clear technical conditions and controls attached, which would help to limit the risks from interference. 

The new consultation closes on the 20th March 2026 and finalises Ofcom’s proposals. You can read the full consultation and statement here. 

Although this is very exciting for us Wi-Fi professionals, we must remember that implementation will be a slow process.

Ofcom’s Group Director for Spectrum, David Willis said:

“Today’s announcements reaffirm the UK’s position as a leader in Europe in getting the most out of the airwaves we all rely on.

Sharing Upper 6 GHz would be a win for businesses and homes across the country who want both better Wi-Fi and mobile networks that are fit for the future. And our decision on lower 6 GHz will boost broadband services across the UK.

Our plans open the doors to further economic growth and investment, while supporting the delivery of crucial innovations like 6G in the future.”

What are the latest Ofcom decisions in the Proposal to Share Upper 6GHz Band? 

  • Ofcom will authorise, under a licence exemption, use of outdoor and higher power Wi-Fi devices (up to 36 dBm EIRP) in the Lower 6 GHz band (5925–6425 MHz) provided they are under the control of an AFC system.
  • As a result, they will require implementation of an AFC system by third parties. They are separately consulting on the details necessary to implement that AFC system.
  • Whilst they are consulting further on approaches to enable Wi-Fi in the Upper 6 GHz band (6425–7125 MHz), they will proceed with making low power Wi-Fi client devices available across the Upper 6 GHz band, provided they are connected to an authorised Access Point (“AP”, for example a Wi-Fi router). This decision should allow client devices to be made available for possible future use of the band, thereby helping faster adoption. Use in the band, in practice, will only become possible once they have made a decision on the proposals below to enable Access Points in Upper 6 GHz.
  • They will adopt a sub-national licencing approach for mobile in the Upper 6 GHz band in the “mobile priority” portion of the band. They intend to award mobile licences in “high density” areas of the UK and expect to implement a local licensing arrangement (for example, on a first come, first served basis) outside of these high density areas. We will consult further on the specifics of this in spring 2026.

What are Ofcom proposing for Mobile and Wi-Fi use of the Upper 6GHz band? A Brief Summary:

  • Ofcom will implement prioritised spectrum sharing in the Upper 6 GHz band, with:

– A “Wi-Fi- priority” portion in the bottom 160 MHz of the band (6425–6585 MHz).

– A “mobile priority” portion in the upper 540 MHz (6585–7125 MHz).

  • Ofcom will make the Wi-Fi priority portion available on the same basis as spectrum in the Lower 6 GHz band. This includes indoor and very lower power Wi-Fi, and also outdoor and higher power Wi-Fi provided this is under the control of an AFC system.
  • Ofcom will enable early access for Wi-Fi in the mobile priority portion of Upper 6 GHz. In response to feedback from the February 2025 consultation, we propose to only allow this access for Wi-Fi which is under the control of an AFC system. This will ensure that we can clear Wi-Fi out of the way, in the locations and channels where mobile deploys later on.

Mobile Operator Use of the Upper 6GHz Band

Of course, as we said above, the full implementation of this will take a while, especially in terms of mobile use (4G, 5G, 6G). 

This proposal and approach from Ofcom is in part linked to the efforts in Europe to harmonise the use of the same band. A policy very similar to this is expected in 2028. Ofcom is not expecting the support of mobile hardware equipment until 2030. 

Wi-Fi Use of Upper 6GHz Band

As we mentioned earlier, the Wi-Fi side of things requires the new AFC database to help reduce the risk of interference, so that will show down implementation. How does AFC work? It automatically identifies frequencies that can be used by Wi-Fi, without having an impact on existing services. This keeps the task of spectrum management and administration as low demand as possible. The US and Canada already use the AFC system, and other countries are in the consideration stages. 

What do you think about the proposal to share Upper 6GHz band for UK mobile and Wi-Fi? 

Perspectives differ and the debate surrounding this is passionate on both sides. As Wi-Fi professionals, we have been waiting for this to happen for a while and we are excited about what this means for Wi-Fi deployment and coverage for many UK businesses. 

Why will access to the upper 6GHz band be good for Wi-Fi professionals? 

As Wi-Fi engineers, our job is to deploy strong, reliable Wi-Fi with robust coverage in a myriad of business settings and industries. 

Access to the upper 6GHz band will provide Wi-Fi professionals like us here at Geekabit with a massive amount of clean, uncongested spectrum.

In simple terms, access to the Upper 6GHz band for Wi-Fi means:

  • faster speeds
  • lower latency
  • greater capacity

These are all essential for high-density and mission-critical environments like factories, hospitals, and stadiums. 

Key Benefits of Accessing the Upper 6GHz Band for Wi-Fi Professionals:

  • Vastly Increased Capacity and Bandwidth: The 6 GHz band can add as much as 1200 MHz of new, contiguous spectrum (depending on the region), more than doubling the combined bandwidth of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This extra capacity is crucial for environments with a high density of users and devices, allowing networks to handle heavy traffic volumes without performance degradation.
  • Reduced Interference and Congestion: The band is a “greenfield” (empty) spectrum, meaning it is reserved for newer Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 devices only. This exclusivity eliminates interference from older legacy devices and neighboring networks, providing a much cleaner and more reliable radio frequency (RF) environment.
  • Lower Latency for Critical Applications: The 6 GHz band enables extremely low latency connections, often as low as under one millisecond. This is vital for real-time applications such as remote medical imaging, augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) training simulations, autonomous robotics in factories, and instant replays in stadiums.
  • Wider Channels for Higher Speeds: The large swaths of contiguous spectrum allow for the use of wider channels (e.g., 80 MHz and 160 MHz, and even 320 MHz with Wi-Fi 7). These wider channels facilitate multi-gigabit speeds and higher data throughput, which is perfect for transferring large files like high-resolution medical images.
  • Improved Network Efficiency and Management: Offloading newer, high-performance devices to the 6 GHz band frees up capacity on the existing 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This improves performance for older devices that cannot access 6 GHz and gives Wi-Fi professionals more flexibility in channel planning and network design.
  • Enhanced Security: The adoption of the 6 GHz band with Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 often mandates the use of the latest WPA3 security protocol, offering more robust encryption and authentication to protect sensitive data, such as patient records in a hospital.
  • Support for Innovation: Access to this spectrum future-proofs networks, enabling the adoption of emerging, bandwidth-intensive technologies and services like IoT devices, real-time analytics, and advanced automation, which can enhance operational efficiency and customer care. 

By leveraging the upper 6 GHz band, Wi-Fi professionals like us can design and deploy more resilient, high-performance, and secure wireless networks capable of meeting the rigorous demands of complex environments like our clients in factories, hospitals and stadiums. 

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Event InternetEvent Wi-FiRural BroadbandSatellite BroadbandSatellite InternetStarlinkUncategorised
Starlink Solution for Rural Broadband Customers

Broadband customers in rural and remote areas are to be able to access Starlink’s constellation of Low Orbit Satellites in a landmark agreement from BT (EE). This will benefit customers who live in rural areas where traditional fixed-line infrastructure is economically unviable or geographically challenging.

With Starlink being quick to deploy and capable of delivering download speeds of up to 280 Mbps, this is bound to be great news for rural residential internet users. 

It is expected that customers will be able to access this new service this time next year, in late 2026. The assumption is that BT (EE) will be planning a slightly different offering to what can already be bought directly from Starlink itself. 

Starlink is already used by other providers; sometimes the service is resold and other times it’s adopted as backhaul for an existing network.  O2 have also recently announced their harnessing of Starlink connectivity by connecting their roaming mobile users via Direct to Cell. 

What are BT and Starlink saying about the new service? 

CEO of BT Group Allison Kirkby, had this to say about the new agreement between BT and Starlink:

“As we create a better BT for all of us, no one is doing more to connect the UK than we are. This landmark agreement with Starlink is a giant leap for rural connectivity – allowing us to get fast and reliable in-home connectivity to our customers in some of the UK’s most rural and isolated areas and to bridge the digital divide better than ever.”

VP of Business Operations at SpaceX Chad Gibbs, said:

“On behalf of Starlink, we’re excited to team up with BT Group and bring high-speed internet to more people across the UK. Their local presence will help us reach those communities which have historically faced challenges with reliable connectivity. Starlink is committed to its mission to connect the unconnected while maintaining focus on delivering overall quality of service.”

How Does Starlink Work and How Much Does It Cost?

Starlink currently has almost 8,900 satellites in orbit (with around 5,300 of those being v2 / V2 Mini). Most of these satellites orbit at an altitude of between 500 and 600km.  This number continues to increase. 

Direct from Starlink, residential customers in the UK usually pay from £75 a month on the ‘Standard’ unlimited data plan, plus £299 for hardware (although this is currently on offer for free for most areas). Kit prices may vary due to different offers. 

Starlink currently promises UK latency times of 26-33ms, downloads of 116-277Mbps and uploads of 17-32Mbps. 

Cheaper and more restrictive options also exist for roaming users.

Starlink for Businesses

This all sounds great for residential customers, but what about businesses operating out of rural locations? 

Geekabit’s expert Wi-Fi engineers are skilled in providing Starlink connectivity to rural businesses, as well as temporary Wi-Fi and connectivity for events. 

Whether it’s supporting the day to day operations of your business, or powering connectivity across an event site, we’ve got a Starlink solution to suit your needs.

For more information and to see how Geekabit can help keep your rural business or event connected, get in touch with our friendly team. 

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Have You Seen This Viral Wi-Fi Trend? Here’s Why You Should Ignore It

If you’re prone to the odd social media scroll every now and again, then you might have come across a viral post recommending that broadband users encircle their router with a halo of tin foil. Unfortunately, we’re not kidding. 

This online ‘advice’ gained peak popularity, claiming to boost people’s broadband coverage at home just by creating a makeshift satellite dish of foil round the sides and back of the router. 

And we get it. Everyone’s been in that desperate situation where you just need the Wi-Fi to work! Whether you’re streaming your favourite show mid-Netflix binge and it’s buffering over the tense moments. Or your boss is trying to contact you with that all-important work call and your connection keeps dropping out. Nightmare! 

So it’s no wonder that people latched on to this purported Wi-Fi hack and attempted to boost their Wi-Fi signal with a roll of something they conveniently had lying in a kitchen drawer. 

The right Wi-Fi advice

It’s always a good idea to exercise a bit of caution when it comes to online hacks and advice. We took one look at this photo of a tin foil encased router and cringed. But that’s because we’re Wi-Fi experts and we know what can actually help boost our Wi-Fi signal. Hint – The tin foil isn’t it. 

Our blog is full of tips and advice on Wi-Fi and getting the best connection possible – Whether that’s broadband coverage, speed or consistently. We’d recommend starting there rather than some random person on X! 

Just because a post has millions of views and shares, doesn’t mean it’s true. The ‘advice’ from this hack was to take a few sheets of tin foil and shape it like a stadium around your router. The thinking behind this is that it will help to beam Wi-Fi around your home in a more efficient manner. 

Does this Wi-Fi tin foil hack actually work?

Whilst it may look somewhat like a satellite dish, the reality is that the curved, metallic design won’t actually reflect or direct Wi-Fi signals in a way that will make much of a difference. 

The thinking behind this idea is that rather than Wi-Fi signals shooting off into corners of the house devoid of internet-seeking devices, it would instead serve concentrated beams of Wi-Fi signal into the room and the rest of the house. 

Whilst this could make a small difference due to the Wi-Fi radio waves being more narrowly focused, it would also block the Wi-Fi from going behind the router which could cause more problems in itself. 

As you’ll see from the image above from the original viral post, there are multiple antennae pointing in different positions and that can be repositioned if needed. This means that you can deliberately position each antenna in the optimum for the tin foil to have an effect. 

Here in the UK, most standard-issue Wi-Fi routers are closed boxes with internal antennae. This means you wouldn’t be able to reposition them to make best use of your tin foil dish and could actually end up blocking the signal rather than directing it. 

What Wi-Fi hacks can you do instead of the viral tin foil trick?

There are a few things you can try if you are experiencing Wi-Fi problems.

Router Placement

If you are struggling with the strength of your Wi-Fi, try placing your router in a different position. Conduct some speed tests in different areas of your home to see where the best location is. Remember to test the speeds in the places you most need it – Where do you stream Netflix? Where do you log on to your computer? Do you have gamers in your home?  Test all these places to make sure your router is reaching them. 

Generally, the best place for your router will be:

  • In a central location
  • Off the ground
  • On a flat, open surface (not in a cupboard)
  • Away from large obstructions like the TV, bookshelf or appliance

Putting your router in an enclosed space like a cupboard is not conducive to a well-functioning Wi-Fi network. And the tin-foil trick could actually have the same negative effect as shutting your router away. 

Access Points

If after your speed tests you find that your Wi-Fi signal is generally lagging then don’t reach for the tin foil. What you really need is an Access Point or two. Cleverly placed Access Points around your home or property can help your Wi-Fi signal get to the places you need your coverage to reach. 

Access Points may help improve connectivity in premises that are large or have thick walls, making it tricky for a standard router to get Wi-Fi to all the places where you need a connection. 

If, after introducing some Access Points, you’re still experiencing problems with inconsistent broadband, then perhaps it may be wise to investigate alternative internet service providers.

“However, if you’re finding your broadband continues to have frequent interruptions, it might be time to consider switching providers to find the one best suited to your needs.”

Call the Experts

If you use your premises for business and thus need a strong, reliable connection, or perhaps have a large residence that makes it difficult for a router to provide complete coverage, then it may be worth calling in the Wi-Fi experts. Our Wi-Fi engineers can come and identify how to make your Wi-Fi network work for you. 

Give our friendly team a call. 

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Could 40% of UK 5G Mobile Connections Actually be 4G?

A recent study seems to think so. Current research with foundations in monitoring and examining mobile phone reception, appears to show that despite your handset indicating a 5G signal, it actually only has a 4G connection. 

Samples taken from UK testing showed 38% of connections were 4G, even though the 5G icon was being shown. 11,000 tests were carried out over a period of 2 months at the start of this year. 

Why would a handset indicate it’s connected to 5G, if it’s actually using a 4G connection? 

It can differ from phone to phone, but for many if the phone is connected to a base station that has 5G equipment potentially available, then it will show the 5G icon. However, in real usage terms the connection may be using 4G or 5G. 

Some phones will change the distinction of the icon depending on whether an actual 5G connection is made. Others will show the same 5G icon whether the 5G connection is only available or actually connected.

The above image shows an area map of Central London where testing was carried out. The red shows actual 5G connections, and the blue indicates where a 5G icon is displayed but a 4G connection is made. 

As you can see for yourself, a 4G connection being used under the guise of a 5G connection is a common one. 

This issue isn’t anything new, but what is new is the research looking at how this is impacting our connections in the UK. 

With an average speed of 49 Mbps, this recent study found when testing that mobile broadband via actual 5G is approximately twice as fast as where it’s a 5G icon only (27 Mbps). 

Is 4G masquerading as 5G happening across all UK mobile networks? 

The results from this study were taken from a sample across all the UK mobile networks. However, it did find that it was more common with some operators than others to display the 5G icon despite being connected to 4G. 

Let’s have a little look at each mobile network. According to study tests, when the 5G icon is displayed, what percentage of the time are you actually getting a genuine 5G connection?

Three UK:  94% of the time 

Vodafone: 93%

O2: 66% 

EE: 32%

These findings are surprising, as other surveys and studies have found EE to do well in 5G performance in terms of data and coverage.

It’s important to bear in mind that getting a 5G connection everywhere is likely not possible, and people would largely accept a 4G connection in its place where 5G isn’t a possibility. The important bit, perhaps, is the visibility to consumers in terms of what they are actually getting moment to moment. Customers should know whether they are connected 4G or 5G and not just shown a blanket 5G icon where there is merely potential. 

We’re all for using 4G in places where that connection is going to be stronger and more reliable than a 5G connection. But let’s make sure customers are aware when this is happening. 

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FAO Existing Starlink Customers: New £8 Roaming Plan Added to UK Satellite Broadband Service

Are you a current customer of SpaceX’s Starlink’s Satellite Broadband service? The company offers ultrafast broadband speeds via its mega constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites. It would appear that for existing UK customers, a new super cheap roaming plan has just been quietly added to its list of services. At just £8 per month, it’s certainly caught our attention.

Here’s a quick low down on Starlink Satellite Broadband

If you don’t know much about Starlink, here are some quick-look facts to get you up to speed with this service from SpaceX and their low earth orbit satellite broadband service:

  • Starlink consists of almost 7000 LEO satellites
  • Around 2,800 of these are v2 Mini / GEN 2A satellites
  • They orbit earth at an altitude between 500 and 600 km
  • By the end of 2027 they plan to have added thousands more to their constellation
  • UK customers typically pay £75+ per month for 30 days, plus £299 for hardware and £19 for postage (this is on the Standard unlimited data plan)
  • This package promises Latency times of 25-60ms, downloads of 25-100 Mbps and uploads of 5-10 Mbps 
  • At the end of last year, Starlink had a global customer network of 4.6 million people (which had risen by 2.3 million from 2023). At the end of 2024, 87,000 of those customers were based in the UK (which had more than doubled from 2023 at 42,000). The majority of these UK customers can be found in rural areas. 

What are the options when it comes to Roaming with Starlink satellite broadband?

Starlink currently has 2 Roaming plans on offer for new customers. These are:

  • ROAM 50GB – Best for infrequent and individual travel with low usage, for £50 per month
  • ROAM Unlimited – Best for RVers, campers, travelers, and working on the go, for £96 per month

Don’t forget you also need to pay between £299 and £399 for the hardware, plus an additional £19 shipping fee). 

The service performance on ROAM can be more variable than what you might get on a residential service, but it does support:

  • Use in motion
  • International travel
  • The option to pause the service when not in use 

New £8pm Roaming Plan for Existing Starlink Customers

Last week we heard whispers of a new £8 per month Roam service offering a 20GB usage allowance. Not the largest, however it would work well as a short-term back-up option. 

Unfortunately, this new cheaper option only appears to be available to existing Starlink customers – It’s not showing online for new customers perusing the options on the Starlink website. 

However if you are already an existing Starlink user, if you go to unpause an already paused service, it would seem you will be shown this new option for £8 per month. Exciting news for current customers! Especially when it comes to those who need a back-up option, those who live in rural areas, or are planning to travel. 

What we would love to see next is this kind of tariff being offered on their Standard package for fixed locations. And, of course, we’d really like to see this £8 per month option become available to new Starlink customers too – Once they’ve purchased the hardware, of course. Watch this space! 

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Could Wi-Fi 8 Actually Bring the Reliability We All Want and Need? 

Some broadband users want speed and nothing but the speed when it comes to Wi-Fi. But what’s the point in mind-boggling speeds, if your connection isn’t reliable? 

The next and 8th generation of Wi-Fi looks set to let go of the notion of ridiculous speeds in favour of, well, actually working in a reliable manner. 

The Wi-Fi 8 standard is all about ultra reliability and we’re here for it. 

Wi-Fi 8 is on the way

Previous updates to our beloved wireless network technology saw a focus on pushing up the bandwidth – Yet Wi-Fi 8 is more concentrated on reliability.  

Wi-Fi 8 you say? Haven’t we only just officially adopted Wi-Fi 6? Well it seems that way, but that was actually back in 2021, swiftly followed by Wi-Fi 6E and then hot on its heels was Wi-Fi 7. Wi-Fi 7 was certified in January of last year and expected to be ratified towards the end of 2024, with support on Windows 11 added last February.  

What we all need to remember is that we can only take advantage of what the new standards have to offer if we update our devices and hardware to those that support the new standard. Therefore, full scale adoption and broader availability are still developing for Wi-Fi 7 as support increases.

The Wi-Fi Alliance predicted that 233 million Wi-Fi devices would enter the market in 2024. This figure is expected to grow to a whopping 2.1 billion devices by 2028.

Why are we chatting about Wi-Fi 8 when Wi-Fi 7 is still being adopted?

If Wi-Fi 7 is still getting established and devices such as laptops are still supporting older standards, why are we already talking about the next update? 

As with many things in the tech world, the talk and buzz starts well before the next big thing enters the market. Much of the conceptual stages and technical details behind Wi-Fi 8 are still being ironed out. 

It’s been predicted that the first Wi-Fi 8 access points will be on sale towards the end of 2028. 

The embryonic stages of Wi-Fi 8, or 802.11bn as it’s affectionately known by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), actually started back in 2022. It was known then as the UHR or Ultra High Reliability study group. At this time, there were rapid advances in data transfer speed. Although these speeds haveoften been unobtainable by network users in practice. This could be due to interference, either from nearby networks or signals being attenuated by walls or other obstructions. 

Due to the theoretical throughput of a Wi-Fi AP growing by about 40 times since Wi-Fi 4, it’s not really that surprising that the spotlight of Wi-Fi 8 has been on reliability and the efficiency of communications. 

Wi-Fi could take on a bigger role in mission critical applications due to this stronger control over latency, for example in the manufacturing industry. 

What does Wi-Fi 7 bring?

With the arrival of Wi-Fi 7 came a number of enhancements. These included:

  • Doubling the channel bandwidth to 320 MHz compared with Wi-Fi 6 
  • A shift to 4K QAM encoding to deliver a theoretical top speed of more than 40 Gbps
  • Supporting the use of frequencies in the 6 GHz band in addition to the traditional 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands (However strictly speaking this capability was actually an add-on to some Wi-Fi 6 devices as Wi-Fi 6E
  • Introducing multi-link operation (MLO), which allows for aggregation of channels in different frequency bands, allowing connections using 2.4, 5, or 6 GHz radios simultaneously

You can read more about Wi-Fi 7 on a previous Geekabit blog here. 

Why 6 GHz frequency? 

This frequency provides relatively uncrowded territory when compared with other bands – Hence the attraction to 6 GHz. 

What does Wi-Fi 8 provide that Wi-Fi 7 doesn’t?

Wireless chip firm MediaTek published a paper indicating that Wi-Fi 8 will bring much of the same specifications as Wi-Fi 7, especially in terms of those listed above.  

However, Wi-Fi 8 will bring with it additional capabilities that will improve the reliability of connections and thus boost the effective throughput that users experience in real life.

In the simplest terms, Wi-Fi 8 will help make some of the promises of Wi-Fi 7 more of a reality, such as implementing features to improve speed gains. 

Coordinated Spatial Reuse (Co-SR)

One enhancement to come with Wi-Fi 8 is Coordinated Spatial Reuse (Co-SR). This is aimed at networks with multiple access points (APs) where their signals overlap, for example on mesh networks. This will mean that clashes can be avoided by APs coordinating to adjust their signal strengths. 

This idea has built on a capability first implemented in the Wi-Fi 6 standard, called spatial reuse (SR). This lets devices adjust their channel sense thresholds, allowing channel reuse.  

Coordinated Beamforming (Co-BF)

Alongside this comes the related feature Coordinated Beamforming (Co-BF). This allows a device to direct its signal toward the intended receiver while minimising interference with other devices, extending spatial nulling in multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) environments. It does this by creating ‘nulls’ in the signal in the direction of those devices. 

Dynamic Sub-channel Operation (DSO)

An access point can also be allowed to assign devices to individual sub-channels via Dynamic Sub-channel Operation (DSO). This boosts utilisation of the spectrum. 

Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCS)

Another enhancement put forward for Wi-Fi 8 would allow device hardware to better match the data transmission rate the prevailing signal-to-noise ratio. This would be especially true when the endpoint moves away from the AP. 

The options being considered include 16-QAM with a 2/3 coding rate, 256-QAM with a 2/3 coding rate, and 16-QAM with a 5/6 coding rate.

Wi-Fi 8 to bring better performance

On the face of it, it might seem like these individual features might not make much difference when it comes to the launch of Wi-Fi 8. However, when they are combined together they are expected to help Wi-Fi 8 deliver previously promised performance from earlier standards and make them a reality. 

Will it be a worthwhile upgrade? Wi-Fi 8 is set to not only bring better reliability, but also speed improvements over Wi-Fi 7, making it a potentially worthy upgrade. This would be especially true for those where consistent connectivity is vital. Industrial environments and IoT applications could be particular winners. 

But remember! We won’t see the benefits of these new enhancements until both access points (hardware) and devices are upgraded to the new Wi-Fi 8 standard. This is likely to take a bit of time. Years in fact! It likely won’t be until we are nearing 2030. 

You can read a bit more about Wi-Fi 8 and what it has to offer on a previous Geekabit blog here. 

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How Do I Choose a 4G/ 5G External Broadband Antenna?

Wi-Fi has quickly become something we expect to have available (basically at all times). We rely on Wi-Fi for so many things, both at work and in our homes. From Smart Home devices, to connecting via our phones, tablets, laptops and gaming systems – We need our Wi-Fi to be fast, dependable and strong. And boy do we notice when it’s not. Signal dropping out, buffering, dead spots – It all gets very frustrating when Wi-Fi isn’t working. 

The vast majority of UK premises are lucky enough to connect to superfast broadband through a wired connection, but there are also many rural homes that cannot access and connect to broadband or internet in this same straightforward way. 

Here at Geekabit, our team of Wi-Fi engineers work with lots of businesses who struggle with the more traditional ways of connecting to the internet. And what do they do? They turn to mobile broadband through 4G and 5G. 

And thankfully, there are many rural business premises within range of a strong enough UK mobile broadband network.

Can’t connect to superfast broadband? An external antenna could be the solution

Unfortunately, despite access to mobile broadband being available to many rural businesses, a stable connection to it isn’t always a given. If you are one of the more remote rural businesses that find themselves struggling to connect to mobile broadband and are:

– Unable to connect to a decent fixed line ISP 

– Within range of a mobile broadband alternative but find it unstable on various operators

Then you might find it beneficial to get an external antenna installed. But which one do you need? 

Can I install an External Mobile Broadband Antenna myself? 

In terms of actually installing an external antenna, it’s actually pretty straightforward. All you need to do is choose a high, stable location on the outside wall of your house near the roof, and screw the antenna on. Remember to make sure it’s pointing in the right direction (ie. towards the nearest mast). 

You might also choose to mount your antenna on a pole to raise it higher than your house. If you’re going for this option, always make sure that it is stable and won’t cause any damage to the building you are mounting it to. It’s also worth liaising with your local authority before installing a large pole as in some areas, a tall pole could be in breach of planning rules. 

You will also need to drill the cable into the house – It’s very important to avoid any other electrical cables and water pipes whilst you are doing this as well as sealing up the holes afterwards. 

It’s also pretty important to keep the position of your router in mind. Will it be placed near the where the cable feeds into the building? Ideally, the cable between your antenna and router needs to be 5 metres or less otherwise you could find yourself struggling with interference and/ or signal loss. 

If that all feels a little daunting then you can hire a professional installer to do the job for you – Our expert Wi-Fi engineers here at Geekabit can do just this! We operate out of Hampshire, London and Cardiff.  

Whilst the physical aspects of installing an external antenna are quite straightforward, it’s not always easy to choose the right kit. The radio spectrum is variable by nature, which makes it very dependent on your environment. You might manage to install the antenna but not get the outcome you were expecting. 

What antenna you need depends on your specific location and needs. This blog will outline some of the options that could be right for you. Sometimes it’s a case of trial and error to find the right antenna for you – But that’s where it might be best to leave it in expert hands. 

Do I need an Omni-directional or Directional antenna?

When it comes to installing an external antenna, the first thing you need to decide is whether you need an Omni-directional antenna or a Directional antenna. 

Choosing a Directional antenna

If you know where your nearest mast is and have a clear line of sight, then the Directional antenna might be the one for you. Whilst it’s weaker in other directions, the Directional antenna will have higher reception in one direction, hence why it works well for a clear line of sight with the mast or base station. This is often the better choice if you live or work in a rural area. 

What problems can you have with a Directional antenna? 

Using a Directional antenna can run into issues if the station is congested or goes out of service. E.g. during upgrades. 

Choosing an Omni-directional antenna

If you live or work in a more urban, built up area and aren’t sure where the nearest mast is then an Omni-directional antenna could be the better option for you. Whilst they have a lower overall gain, they are able to attract similar reception from all directions. Because the Omni is looking at a wider area, you may find that it provides better reliability. 

Generally, if you are finding and installing an external antenna yourself, then the Omni-directional antenna is probably the one to try first. 

What problems can you have with an Omni-directional antenna? 

It’s possible that because it’s looking at a wider area, the Omni could attract more interference. If you are able to utilise a well positional Directional antenna then you could get better performance that way. 

How much power does my external antenna need?

So you’ve decided whether you need an Omni-directional or Directional antenna. What do you need to consider next? 

You’ll notice that antennas have gain figures in dB / dBi – This is how the power of the antenna is measured. 

In simple terms, the gain of an antenna is the relative measure of its ability to direct radio frequency energy in a certain direction or pattern. What do the gain (dB / dBi) figures on an antenna mean?

We could go into a lot of complicated detail here, but seeing as we’re writing this blog for someone looking to buy and install their own external antenna, we’ll keep it super simple. 

Basically, the higher the gain (dB / dBi) the better the antenna’s performance and range. Obviously, the higher the gain, the more expensive the antenna will cost. 

When you are at this stage of choosing your antenna, it is worth knowing what bands your mobile operator uses so that you can ensure how the different gain values given for an antenna correspond to the spectrum band you will be using. 

Choosing an external antenna – What are the challenges?

As we said above, when you are installing a new external antenna, it’s really important to know:

  • Where and which direction the signal is coming from 
  • How strong the signal is
  • Which bands are being used in your local area by local operators

These are some of the biggest challenges you’ll face when installing your antenna. 

How can I find out the spectrum information I need to choose an antenna?

If you go online to mobile operator’s websites you can find coverage checkers (Vodafone, Three UK, O2 and EE (BT)), but these can be rather vague and not always accurate. It’s worth comparing to what Ofcoms Mobile Coverage Checker says too.

Perhaps the best way to identify which bands are being used by your local operator is to download a relevant app or look up the mobile network details on your Smartphone or router. 

These apps will often just tell you the band number for your own operator rather than tell you the spectrum frequency. You’ll find that operators tend to own several bands, but usually use one band for national connectivity. 

What are the most common 4G Mobile Bands in the UK?

800MHz (Band 20)

900MHz (Band 8)

1800MHz (Band 3)

2100MHz (Band 1)

2300MHz (Band 40)

2600MHz (Band 7)

Remember that 5G uses a different band model and is currently only deployed on the 3.4GHz band. 

How do I know where my nearest mast is for installing my new antenna?

So you’ve made sense of the bands on offer in your area from local operators. Next you need to work out where your nearest mast is and whether it’s the most appropriate for your location. Unfortunately it’s not always the option that looks most logical! 

When you’re choosing the most appropriate mast for your use, you need to consider the following:

  • Forms and features of local land surfaces (artificial and natural)
  • Local surroundings
  • Operator choice

There are apps and websites that can help with this such as Mastdata.com and Cellmapper.net. The Opensignal app could also be of use.

Did you know that operators also have sharing agreements with each other? Just to make things a little more complicated. For example, there is a sharing agreement between Vodafone and O2 as well as between EE and Three. What does this mean? Well it means that a mast could be serving more than one operator. 

How do I use signal strength information to position my external antenna?’ 

If you are able to gain an understanding of signal strength in a few different measurements, then you are more likely to position your antenna correctly. 

Signal strength is measured in quite a few different ways, so we’re going to just focus on a few that you are most likely to encounter. These are:

  • Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)
  • Reference Signals Received Power (RSRP)
  • Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ)

These measurements are given by a negative dBm (decibel milliWatts) value. In this situation, negative values are actually good (most of the time). They are negative because they represent tiny yet positive numbers on a logarithmic scale, making them easier to consume. For example, -100dBm would be 0.0000000001 mW.

What is a good RSSI signal? Essentially, the closer to 0 dBm, the better the RSSI signal (although it does get more complicated past a certain point with diminishing returns of data speed). An example of excellent 4G RSSI signal would be -65 dBm. A poor RSSI signal would be -85 dBm. 

RSRP works on a similar scale to RSSI, where an excellent 4G RSRP signal would be -80 dBm.  

RSRQ operates on a very different scale, which means that an excellent signal is anything from around -10 dB (not dBm) and a poor signal would be -20 db.

Interestingly, most mobile modems are able to maintain a pretty fast data connection using a poor signal. Problems may arise however in more rural areas where speeds are slower and stability poorer due to the distance from a mast. 

What factors are most likely to affect signal strength? 

  • Distance to mast
  • Interference from competing signals
  • Router band switching
  • Physical obstacles in the environment like buildings, tall trees etc
  • The weather

Of course, these factors are not in your control, but you need to bear them in mind when positioning your antenna in order to get the best signal possible. 

Feeling confident about choosing and installing your external antenna?

If you are about to choose and install an external antenna to improve your 4G or 5G mobile broadband signal, then hopefully this blog has given you some of the basic information you need to make your decisions. 

If you’re still feeling a bit daunted, then why not get in touch with one of our Wi-Fi experts? We install mobile broadband for clients in and around Hampshire, Cardiff and London and can help identify which antenna solution would best suit your needs. Get in touch today! 

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What is a Campus Area Network and Does Your Site Need One?

A Campus Area Network, or CAN, is a specifically designed network meant to meet the connectivity needs of a large area, for example a college or university, a hospital complex or a corporate campus. The CAN provides seamless internet and intranet access by connecting multiple buildings across an extensive area. A CAN covers a much larger area than a standard LAN (Local Area NEtwork). 

Why a CAN? This type of network provides a strong, reliable solution for all sorts of organisations that are spread across multiple buildings and/or campuses, providing consistent connectivity for users throughout.  

What is the range and scope of a Campus Network? 

In most circumstances, a CAN will cover a limited geographical area without exceeding the boundary of the campus it is serving. 

They are ideal for meeting diverse needs across an organisation and can enable the integration of various technologies, e.g.

  • Wi-Fi
  • Fibre optics
  • Ethernet

Internet opens up a wide scope of services across a campus, linking departments, and users via

  • VoIP
  • Video conferencing
  • Secure data transfer

Do I need a LAN, WAN or CAN? 

LAN – A Local Area Network is confined to a smaller area, for example, one singular building. An office building might use a LAN to connect its users. 

CAN – As above, a Campus Area Network covers a larger area than a LAN, encompassing multiple buildings across a campus type site. 

WAN – A Wide Area Network covers much more extensive areas; Think entire cities or even countries. 

A CAN is the happy medium for a campus type site; Larger coverage than a LAN but less extensive than a WAN. 

What are the main parts of a Campus Network? 

The infrastructure of a CAN is what is at the heart of the network. The infrastructure of a Campus Network needs:

  • Networking hardware e.g. routers, switches, firewalls
  • Connectivity means ie. Fibre optic cables, ethernet cables, wireless connections
  • Strategically placed Access Points to provide wide coverage 
  • Network services e.g. DHCP servers for dynamic IP address allocation and DNS servers for resolving network names 

How do I choose the right cable and router configurations for Campus Network Connectivity?

If you want a high-performing Campus Network then selecting the appropriate cables and routers is crucial. So what factors will you need to consider?

  • Cable Type: Assess the merits of fibre optic vs. Ethernet cables based on the bandwidth needs of the network and campus layout.
  • Router Capabilities: Male sure that routers can handle the expected network load and offer advanced features like Quality of Service (QoS) management.

Campus Network: Do I need Fibre Optic Cables or Ethernet cabling? 

When choosing between Fibre Optic cables and Ethernet cables, there are several factors to consider. 

  • Bandwidth Requirements: Optical fibre typically offers higher bandwidth than Ethernet.
  • Distance Considerations: Fibre optic cables are better suited for longer distances without signal degradation.
  • Cost Implications: Ethernet might be more cost-effective for smaller networks or shorter distances.

A Campus Area Network Needs a Backbone Network 

Think of the backbone of a Campus Network as the primary pathway for data traffic. This is the main component of the whole network, connecting various subnetworks across the campus. 

The CAN backbone is designed to handle high volumes of data traffic with fast and reliable data transfer across the whole Campus Network. It holds up all the daily digital interactions, connecting all users across various buildings to each other as well as vital resources. 

What are the key network design strategies for optimal Campus Network performance?

There are several key strategies that can be used when designing a successful Campus Network, whether it’s a university, hospital or corporate campus. 

Scalability

In order to be and stay successful, the network needs to be scalable. This means the CAN must be able to accommodate growing numbers of users and evolving technological needs. Technology and needs change all the time, and the CAN needs to be able to keep up. 

Reliability

It goes without saying that a Campus Network needs to be reliable. Any downtime needs to be minimal, and any outages need to be rectified and recovered from swiftly. 

Security

If users across a Campus Network are sharing data then it needs to be secure. Think sensitive academic or patient data. This data needs to be protected whilst still allowing necessary access. 

Management of Bandwidth

The network load needs to be balanced and congestion minimised, particularly during peak times of usage. 

CAN Infrastructure Design

The key to designing the optimal Campus Area Network infrastructure is to balance current needs with future growth. You’ll need to know:

  • Campus layout
  • User demands
  • Technological advancements 

You want a CAN that is not only strong and reliable, but able to adapt and evolve to future trends and needs. 

Key Considerations: 

There are several key factors to consider when planning a Campus Area Network

  • User Density and Distribution: Assess and identify the number of users and their distribution across the campus to ensure network capacity meets demand.
  • Application Requirements: What types of applications will the network need to support? Will they be data-intensive research applications or general administrative tasks?
  • Future-Proofing: Plan for future expansions and technological upgrades.
  • Budget Constraints: Balance the best possible network design with available financial resources.

Campus Networks and High-Speed Networking

Regardless of where users are located, the expectation of high-speed networking is not a luxury but an expectation. The modern academic, medical and corporate environment requires high-speed networking with an increased need for digital tools, remote working and online resources. 

We live in a fast-paced, technology driven world and academic, medical and corporate spaces reflect that. 

Provide a Flexible Campus Network with Wireless Solutions 

Corporate, medical and academic environments increasingly require an agile campus space where the network can adapt to evolving connectivity needs. 

Whether it’s students and lecturers, doctors and patients, or varying levels of corporate employees – Users need to be able to access the network from anywhere on the campus, indoors or outdoors.  

Provide Consistent Coverage Across Campus With Strategic Wi-Fi AP Deployment  

If you want your Campus to have comprehensive coverage, then you need to be deploying your wireless Access Points strategically. 

Things to consider:

  • Placing APs in high-traffic areas
  • Ensuring no dead zones where connectivity drops out 
  • Distribution of APs to balance the network load and cater to varying user densities
  • Using MU-MIMO so that several devices can connect without waiting 

Should a Campus Network be Wireless or Wired? 

There are of course pros and cons to both and it’s about getting the balance right between flexibility and ease of access (wireless) without compromising reliability and speed (wired). 

Wireless:

  • Flexible and easy to access
  • Can be more susceptible to security challenges and interference

Wired:

  • Reliable and fast 
  • Require physical infrastructure which can limit adaptability and mobility 

The best Campus Network will have a good blend of both Wireless and Wired elements, using the strengths of both to provide users with a strong, flexible and reliable network. 

Mobile Access on Campus Networks with Wireless Solutions

Having a Campus Network with mobile access is very much a necessity rather than a convenience. With the prevalence of smartphones, tablets and laptops among users, a CAN will require Wireless network solutions to cater for these needs with a mobile-first approach. 

This doesn’t just mean that users can easily connect via these devices anywhere on campus, but that various portals and platforms are accessible and user-friendly on all types of mobile devices. 

Ensuring a Campus Network is Secure

As with all networks, security is a top concern for Campus Networks too. Whether it’s sensitive academic data, patient data or employee data, all types of personal information require robust security protocols. 

This includes:

  • Authentication methods
  • Encryption
  • Regular network monitoring
  • Proactive threat detection measure

The aim of a secure Campus Network is to protect against cyber threats and build trust among the users.

Campus Networks in Action: Practical Use Case in Education 

The use of Campus Area Networks (CANs) enables modern education and research. We can see the practical use cases of CANs in educational settings through:

  • Streamlined Administrative Operations: Automating processes like enrollment, scheduling, and student record management.
  • Enhanced E-Learning: Supporting online courses, digital libraries, and virtual classrooms.
  • Campus Safety: Integrating surveillance systems and emergency communication networks.

In a University setting, CANs facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration by connecting different faculties and research centres.

CANs empower and enhance collaboration between organisations and institutions via educational and corporate campuses by facilitating the engagement of innovative collaborations. Campus Networks enable video conferencing and remote collaboration tools, which in turn allows for joint ventures between institutions located in different parts of the world. The scope of this global connectivity broadens academic and professional partnerships.

In corporate campuses, Campus Networks streamline communication and data sharing by linking various departments and data centres. A Campus Network setup enhances efficiency and fosters innovation on any and all types of campus.

Transform Campus Environments with Campus Area Networks

CANs can be pivotal in transforming educational, medical and corporate campus environments into dynamic, interactive, and interconnected spaces. 

In this fast-paced, technological driven world, a Campus Network facilitates more collaborative and tech-driven approaches. 

Research and Development: How can a Campus Network Help?

Whether it’s in an academic environment, on a medical site or a corporate campus, all types of research and development across institutions require high-speed data transfer for inter-faculty/ department collaboration. 

In this way, CANs support advanced research activities requiring large bandwidth and specialised network capabilities. 

A Robust Campus Network and Resource Sharing

We live in a very data-driven world, which is why a Campus Network provides a key advantage – The ability to share large files and resources quickly and reliably. 

This is essential when a campus needs to share a high-definition video, large research datasets or extensive digital libraries. 

Providing a strong, reliable Campus Network means that these large files can be shared and transferred without causing problems to network performance. 

The Monitoring and Maintenance of CAN Infrastructure

If you want longevity and efficiency for your Campus Network, then ongoing monitoring and maintenance is critical. 

Ensure consistent connectivity and prevent network failures with:

  • Regular performance checks
  • Timely updates
  • Proactive troubleshooting 
  • Training staff to manage and maintain the network effectively

Careful consideration is needed when designing an optimal Campus Area Network infrastructure. You need to think about various factors including:

  • User needs
  • Technological advancements
  • Scalability
  • Security
  • Budget

Academic, medical and corporate campuses can establish strong, efficient network infrastructure tailored to their unique needs by making informed choices about cable and router configurations, and prioritising regular monitoring and maintenance.  

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Launch of Starlink Mini Dish and Mini Roam Service is a Go for the UK

Launch of Starlink Mini Dish and Mini Roam Service is a Go for the UK

We recently wrote about the launch of Starlink’s new Mini Dish and Mini Roam service – You can read all about it here. At time of publishing it wasn’t yet available in the UK and we were eagerly awaiting an email to say the service was ready for the UK to test. 

And that time has arrived! If you were an early adopter of the ultrafast, low-latency Starlink broadband service from SpaceX then you may have already received an email inviting you to be part of the testing phase of Starlink’s new Mini Dish hardware terminal as well as their Mini Roaming service add-on. 

The ultrafast and low-latency Starlink broadband service from Space X have now launched their new Wi-Fi (only 802.11ac / Wi-Fi 5) integrated Mini Dish (terminal) hardware and Mini Roaming service add-on here in the UK. The downside is that it’s a little more expensive than its USA counterpart.

Just in case you’ve been living under a rock, here is a quick recap on Starlink’s satellite broadband offering. 

What is Starlink Satellite Broadband and how does it work?

SpaceX Starlink currently has 6,171 LEO satellites in orbit around the Earth at an altitude of circa 550km. By the end of 2027 they will have added thousands more. 

Prices for UK residential customers generally start at £75 per month, plus Standard Plan hardware at a cost of £299. For these prices, the operator promises the following speeds:

  • Download – 25-100Mbps
  • Uploads – 5-10Mbps
  • Latency – 25-60ms 

By the end of last year, there were 42,000 Starlink customers in the UK (out of 2.3 million worldwide). This UK figure had almost quadrupled from the 13,000 UK customers in the previous year. 

Most UK Starlink customers can be found in more rural, remote areas. Those in the most remote areas (think oceans, small islands and places like Antarctica) will have the highest latency. 

New Mini Dish Launched in the USA

Back in June across the pond in the US, Starlink invited some of their early adopters to purchase their new Mini Kit (Dish) for $599, which could also come bundled with a new Mini Roam service – for an additional cost of $30 per month. 

In the interest of clarity, these prices are in additional to the existing subscription for residential Starlink broadband. 

The add on of the Mini Roam service gave customers the option of having 50 GB of ‘mobile data’ that they are able to use anywhere in the country. After that 50 GB, they are charged $1 per GB (approximately 81 pence). 

Starlink Launch Mini Dish and Mini Roam Service in UK 

The 1st of August saw the first emails landing in UK Starlink customer’s inboxes, offering this same above service for those in the UK. 

The emails laid out the cost of the new kit (£399) as well as the roaming service which comes in at an extra £50 per month – Rather more expensive than in the US. 

For those of you that are not Starlink customer’s but are desperate to see what’s on offer, here’s a copy of the email:

Starlink Mini Now Available

Starlink Mini is a compact, portable kit that can easily fit in a backpack, designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet on the go.

Starlink Mini includes a built-in WiFi router, lower power consumption, DC power input, and max download speeds over 100 Mbps*. See Starlink Mini specifications here.

The Starlink Mini Kit can be purchased for £399 with either the Mini Roam 50GB service plan for £50/mo or the unlimited Mobile Regional plan for £85/mo. Learn more on starlink.com/roam.

Available Service Plans

Mini Roam 50GB | £50/mo
Best for weekend travelers, backup internet, and in-motion use

Includes 50GB of Mobile data (£1/GB for additional data), coverage throughout Europe, and in-motion use on land. See our Terms of Service regarding in-motion use.

Mobile Regional | £85/mo
Best for caravans, motorhomes, campers, and travelers throughout a continent

Includes unlimited Mobile data on land and coverage throughout Europe. Ocean and global travel available for an additional £1.98/GB.

Just to recap. The new dish – sized 298.5mm x 259mm x 38.5mm – is 63% lighter than the standard Starlink dish, has an operating temperature range of -30°C to 50°C (-22°F to 122°F), draws around 25-40 Watts on average and can run directly off 12-48V DC (it comes with a small 110V power supply with 15 metres of cable).

The kit is also IP67 Type 4 rated with their DC Power Cable and Starlink Plug/Cable installed (using the Ethernet port drops this rating). The dish has a Field of View (FoV) of 110 degrees (slightly better than ‘Standard’) and a single Ethernet (LAN) port.

What do you think of Starlink’s latest offering? 

The possibility of using Starlink satellite broadband to roam here in the UK is undoubtedly an exciting development in the world of tech. 

We’re hoping to see a reduction in price as the service evolves, but we’ll have to wait and see on that one. 

Could Starlink Satellite Broadband Help You or Your Business? 

If you’re interested in whether Starlink satellite broadband could provide your rural business or outdoor event with more reliable internet than the connection you’re currently on then get in touch with our friendly team today. 

Our Wi-Fi expert engineers are on hand to identify whether Starlink satellite broadband could be the right solution for you. 

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Starlink: Latency Improvements on SpaceX Broadband Network

Starlink from Elon Musk’s Space X mega constellation of ultrafast broadband satellites in Low Earth Orbit have revealed the progress they’ve made so far in improving the latency performance. 

Their goal is to deliver a service with a stable 20 millisecond median latency and minimal packet loss. 

Starlink LEO Satellites

At the moment, Starlink have a network of 5,289 LEO satellites. They orbit the Earth at an altitude of around 500km. 

SpaceX Starlink has approval to expand this number to approximately 7,500 satellites by the end of 2027. 

What is the Cost of Starlink Satellite Broadband? 

For UK customers, costs start at £75 per month. There is an additional cost for the £449 regular home kit which includes a standard dish, router and relevant kit. There is also a shipping fee of £20 on the Standard package. 

By the end of last year, Starlink had a global network of 2.3 million customers (now at 2.6m). 42,000 of those customers were based in the UK (which is up from 13,000 in 2022). Most of these UK customers are based in rural areas. 

Starlink Broadband Speed

The Standard Starlink broadband package promises download speeds of between 25 and 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 5-10 Mbps. It also offers latency times of 25-50 ms. 

What About Latency?

Satellites in a Low Earth Orbit constellation are significantly closer to earth than GEO or GSO platforms. GEO satellites usually sit about 35,000 km away, whereas the LEO satellites, like Starlink, are only 500 km away. 

This means that the signal for Starlink satellites only has to travel a relatively short distance, which is good when it comes to latency. 

What is Latency? 

Network latency is the amount of time it takes for a data packet to go from one place to another e.g. from your laptop or other device to a remote server and then back again.

The delay or time between the data packet going to the server and then back again is measured in milliseconds (1 second is equal to 1000 milliseconds). 

Broadband connections these days will usually have an average latency of between 4 ms to 40 ms.

What can affect latency? 

Latency can depend on many different factors for your individual connection, but in general terms, the faster score for latency (the shortest time) is always best. 

These latency times can be affected, amongst others, by:

  • The performance of remote internet servers
  • The connection technology being used
  • ISP network congestion
  • Routing problems
  • Network setup

Lowering latency is an important part of building a good user experience. Faster latency means:

  • Fast-paced online multiplayer games are smoother
  • Internet actions are more responsive
  • Video calls experience less sync problems
  • And much more!

What are Starlink’s Latency Improvements?

The Starlink satellite broadband network from Space X is slowly delivering improvements in terms of latency. 

The latest update from Starlink claims that users around the world will have meaningfully reduced median and worst case latency. 

Customers in the USA can benefit from a 30% reduction in median latency, going from 48.5ms to 333ms during peak times. 

Worst case latency at peak times has also been reduced from 150ms to 65ms which is a 60% improvement. 

And it’s not just the United States that are enjoying lower latency. Outside the USA, the median latency has been reduced by up to 25% and worst-case latencies have been reduced by up to 35%. 

The stats are below if you want to take a look.

How do they measure Starlink latency?

Starlink’s latency is measured by operator who collect anonymous measurements from millions of Starlink routers every 15 seconds. 

The median and worst-case latencies are calculated using these 15 second average latencies. 

They look at latency across different time periods but focus on performance at peak times.  This tends to be 6-9pm local time to the router, which is when the Starlink network is under the most load and the biggest number of people are connected. 

Starlink’s Latency in 2024

Between January and March this year, monitoring and metrics have been added across the Starlink network in order to measure the latency on every subsystem down to the microsecond. 

Their algorithms are programmed to prefer lower latency pathways, even if the difference is only small, to mitigate and remove as many sources of unnecessary latency as possible, 

Software changes, additional ground infrastructure and the launch of more satellites are all being prioritised in order to continue to improve latency over the coming weeks and months, 

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