Starlink vs NBN Fixed Wireless Internet: Which Internet is Better?
Reliable internet access is no longer a luxury but a necessity, especially for Australians living in rural and regional areas. With more options emerging, choosing between satellite-based Starlink and NBN Fixed Wireless broadband can be confusing. This guide breaks down key differences in speed, cost, coverage, and reliability to help you decide which internet service best suits your needs.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet service project launched by SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corp.) in the United States. It aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to global users by launching a large number of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Here is its core information:
System Architecture
Satellite constellation: Satellites operate in low Earth orbits at altitudes ranging from 550 km to 1200 km. As of 2025, over 6,000 satellites have been deployed, with plans to eventually reach 42,000 to achieve global coverage.
Ground stations: Responsible for communicating with satellites and connecting to the global internet backbone, enabling high-speed data transmission via phased array antennas.
User terminals: Users connect to the network through dedicated dish antennas, which automatically track satellites and support usage scenarios such as homes, RVs, and ships.
Technical Features
High speed and low latency: Starlink speed delivers download rates of 20-250 Mbps with a latency of 25-60 milliseconds, outperforming traditional satellite internet.
Phased array antennas: Both satellites and ground terminals adopt phased array technology, allowing rapid adjustment of beam directions to improve communication efficiency.
Inter-satellite laser links: Satellites communicate with each other via laser, reducing reliance on ground stations and enhancing network coverage and stability.
Service Scope and User Groups
It covers over 100 countries and regions worldwide, including remote areas, maritime, and aviation sectors.
It offers personal plans (e.g., for households and RV users) and commercial plans (for enterprises and government agencies), with over 5 million users.
Application Scenarios
Remote areas: Provides internet access to regions without fiber optic or mobile network coverage.
Emergency communications: Ensures communication in scenarios such as disaster relief and military operations.
Mobile platforms: Supports real-time communication for mobile devices like ships, aircraft, and trucks.
Business Model
Users need to purchase terminal equipment (approximately $300-$2500)—plus optional starlink accessories like mounting brackets, cable organizers, or weather-resistant covers to enhance setup and durability—and subscribe to monthly services ($120-$5000/month, depending on the plan).
It offers flexible plan options, including scenarios such as residential, roaming, maritime, and aviation.
Through large-scale satellite deployment and technological innovation, Starlink is reshaping the global internet service landscape, and is particularly significant in addressing the challenge of network coverage in remote areas.
What is NBN Fixed Wireless?
NBN, short for National Broadband Network, is Australia’s national broadband network that delivers next-generation fixed-line telephone and internet services. It primarily provides high-speed broadband to Australian residents and businesses. Here are its core features:
Technical Features
NBN achieves nationwide broadband coverage through a hybrid technology deployment, combining the high-speed advantages of fiber optics with the utilization of existing infrastructure.
Fiber optics: FTTP (direct to homes, high-speed stable); FTTN (to node boxes, 12–150Mbps via copper); FTTB (to building hubs, for apartments).
HFC: Reuses cable TV networks to cut costs.
Wireless/satellite: Covers remote areas where fiber is unfeasible.
Application Scenarios
Home: Supports multi-user streaming, gaming, smart devices.
Work/study: Enables smooth remote work, online classes.
Entertainment: 4K streaming, multi-device connectivity.
Remote areas: Basic connectivity via wireless/satellite.
Business: Stable high-speed for operations and data needs.
Stability
This technology can provide users with internet speeds of up to 1000 Mbps under ideal conditions, with low latency (typically 10-20 milliseconds), making it ideal for real-time applications such as video calls and gaming. Compared to traditional copper wire networks, it is less affected by weather and external factors; however, actual performance often varies significantly due to factors like distance from signal towers, network congestion levels, and local user experiences.
Starlink vs NBN: Key Comparisons
1. Technical Architecture and Coverage
Starlink
Global coverage advantage: As a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, Starlink achieves nationwide coverage across Australia—including remote regions and islands—via a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. By 2025, over 3,800 satellites have been deployed in its constellation, with its ground station network expanded to 20 (distributed across New South Wales, Queensland, etc.) to ensure stable signal transmission.
Technical features: Utilizing low-orbit satellites (at an altitude of approximately 550 km), the signal round-trip distance is only 1,100 km (equivalent to the distance from Sydney to Melbourne), significantly reducing latency to 20–40 milliseconds. Users only need to install a Starlink terminal (with an unobstructed view of the sky) to connect, with no reliance on ground base stations.
NBN
Hybrid technical architecture:
Fibre (FTTP/HFC): Covers urban and some suburban areas, offering ultra-high-speed connectivity (e.g., 1,000/100 Mbps plans). However, high deployment costs make it difficult to extend to remote regions.
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA): After completing a A$750 million upgrade by the end of 2024, coverage expanded from 220,000 km² to 345,000 km². Using Ericsson 5G mmWave technology, it achieved 1 Gbps download speeds over a 14 km distance in trials. By 2025, approximately 850 FWA sites have been deployed with mmWave equipment, supporting coverage over a 10 km radius.
Satellite (Sky Muster): Covers the most remote areas but with speed limitations (peak 100 Mbps, actual peak-hour speeds dropping to 66 Mbps) and latency as high as 664.9 milliseconds.
Core difference: Starlink inherently covers the entire country, particularly suited to remote areas; NBN fibre delivers optimal performance but with limited coverage, while FWA narrows urban-rural gaps via mmWave technology but still relies on ground base stations.
2. Speed and Latency Comparison
Starlink
Speed: The national average download speed of 106 Mbps (Ookla 2023 data), with peak speeds in remote areas up to 470 Mbps; upload speeds range from 20–74 Mbps.
Latency: Average 29.8 milliseconds, remaining below 60 milliseconds during peak hours—meeting the needs of real-time applications (e.g., gaming, video conferencing).
NBN
Fibre (FTTP/HFC): Upgraded commercial plans reach 1,000/100 Mbps with latency below 10 milliseconds, ideal for multi-device households and businesses.
Fixed Wireless (FWA): 1 Gbps speeds achieved in mmWave trials, though commercial rollout is not yet widespread; typical upgraded speeds are around 100 Mbps, with improved latency (specific data undisclosed).
Satellite (Sky Muster): Advertised as 100 Mbps, but actual peak-hour speeds only reach 66 Mbps with latency up to 664.9 milliseconds—unable to support real-time needs.
Core difference: Starlink outperforms NBN satellite and FWA in speed and latency across remote areas; NBN fibre remains the urban performance benchmark but with limited coverage.
3. Reliability and Stability
Starlink
Interference resistance: Low-orbit satellites reduce signal attenuation, making it less affected by weather (e.g., only slight slowdowns in heavy rain). It offers unlimited data with no peak-hour throttling.
Device durability: Specifically designed for Australia's extreme climates, such as heat-resistant, wind-resistant Gen 3 terminals, which—paired with custom mounts—can withstand 40°C temperatures and tropical cyclones.
NBN
Fibre: Offers optimal stability, unaffected by weather.
Fixed Wireless (FWA): Improved interference resistance after upgrades but may still be impacted by terrain (e.g., trees, buildings) and extreme weather.
Satellite (Sky Muster): Signals are vulnerable to heavy rain and solar flares, with speeds dropping sharply during peak hours due to bandwidth sharing.
Core difference: Starlink is significantly more stable than NBN satellite in remote areas, on par with FWA; fibre remains the top choice in urban areas.
4. Cost and Installation
Starlink
Equipment cost: Standard kit (including antenna and router) is approximately A$399 (during promotional periods), with refurbished kits as low as A$199; monthly fee is A$139 with no contract.
Installation flexibility: Supports DIY setup. In remote areas, location can be pinpointed via Google Plus Codes, requiring only an unobstructed view of the sky.
Backup option: Offers a "backup connection" plan at A$15/month (5GB data), suitable for occasional use or emergencies.
NBN
Fibre (FTTP/HFC): Equipment is free; monthly fees range from A$80–150 (high-speed plans), requiring carrier line deployment.
Fixed Wireless (FWA): Equipment is free; monthly fees range from A$60–100, but users must be within 14 km of a base station.
Satellite (Sky Muster): Equipment is free; monthly fees start at A$39.95, but speed and latency only meet basic needs.
Core difference: Starlink requires higher initial investment but delivers stable performance; NBN fibre offers the best value but with limited coverage, FWA suits budget-conscious regional users, and satellite is only recommended for extreme low-cost scenarios.
5. Future Development Potential
Starlink
Technical iteration: Gen 2 satellites plan to boost per-satellite capacity, with future speeds potentially exceeding 500 Mbps and latency reduced to under 20 milliseconds.
Direct satellite-to-mobile connectivity: Starlink has partnered with Telstra to launch satellite SMS services (commercially available in 2025), with future expansion to voice and data, supporting devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25.
NBN
MmWave expansion: Plans to gradually commercialize mmWave FWA in 2025, covering more remote areas with the goal of 1 Gbps speeds within a 14 km radius.
Fibre upgrades: The government plans to invest A$2.4 billion to provide full fibre access to 1.5 million households, aiming for 90% of locations to achieve "world-leading" speeds by 2025.
Core difference: Starlink features faster technical iteration, with long-term advantages especially in mobile scenarios; NBN narrows urban-rural gaps via hybrid technologies but faces high costs for fibre expansion.
How to Choose?
Scenario | Recommended Option | Reason |
Remote areas/no fibre coverage | Starlink | Superior in speed, latency, and stability; unlimited data suits remote work, streaming, and gaming. |
Urban/suburban areas | NBN Fibre (FTTP/HFC) | Ultra-high speed, low latency, and cost-effective—ideal for multi-device households and businesses. |
Regional/semi-remote areas | NBN Fixed Wireless (FWA) | Upgraded speeds approaching 100 Mbps, lower cost than Starlink—suitable for budget-sensitive users. |
Extremely budget-constrained | NBN Satellite (Sky Muster) | Lowest monthly fees but only meets basic needs (web browsing, email). |
Remote areas/no fibre coverage | Starlink | Superior in speed, latency, and stability; unlimited data suits remote work, streaming, and gaming. |
Urban/suburban areas | NBN Fibre (FTTP/HFC) | Ultra-high speed, low latency, and cost-effective—ideal for multi-device households and businesses. |
Regional/semi-remote areas | NBN Fixed Wireless (FWA) | Upgraded speeds approaching 100 Mbps, lower cost than Starlink—suitable for budget-sensitive users. |
Key conclusions:
Technology-first: Starlink is irreplaceable in remote areas and real-time applications; NBN fibre remains the urban benchmark.
Cost trade-offs: NBN fibre and FWA offer better value; Starlink suits high-budget users prioritizing performance.
Future trends: Starlink holds long-term advantages due to global coverage and technical iteration, while NBN relies on continuous investment to narrow gaps.
Compared to NBN, Starlink holds more distinct advantages in mobile scenarios. However, it has the issue of higher energy consumption, so a reliable power source is required for stable operation(such as portable power stations)—this is particularly crucial in remote areas with unstable power supply or a lack of access to the grid.
Among them, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Portable Power Station is one of the most popular choices: with an expandable capacity of up to 768Wh, a 800W output power (1,600W with X-Boost), and a compact design, it not only provides sufficient power for Starlink but also meets the power supply needs of other outdoor devices (such as laptops, small home appliances, etc.).
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Portable Power Station
Conclusion
In the end, the Starlink vs. NBN comparison isn’t about declaring a single winner, but about matching technology to real-world needs. Starlink shines in mobility, remote areas, and scenarios where flexibility trumps infrastructure reliance—even with its power demands, solved by tools like the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Max Plus Portable Power Station. NBN, meanwhile, remains unbeatable in urban and suburban zones, where its fiber networks deliver unmatched stability and cost efficiency. Whether prioritizing on-the-go connectivity or steady home/business use, understanding their strengths helps users pick the solution that turns "internet access" into a seamless, tailored experience.
FAQs
Is Starlink worth it in Australia?
Yes, Starlink is worth it for Australians living in remote or regional areas with limited internet options. It provides fast download speeds (50–250 Mbps), low latency (20–40 ms), and wide coverage, even in places where NBN or mobile networks struggle. While it’s more expensive than some NBN plans, the reliability and performance—especially in underserved areas—make it a valuable solution for rural homes, farms, and off-grid setups.
Which is better for gaming: Starlink or NBN?
When it comes to gaming, Starlink is usually the better option. Its higher speeds and unlimited data make it ideal for gaming, especially in rural areas where other internet options might not be available. However, latency (or ping) can be higher with Starlink, which may impact fast-paced online gaming. NBN Fixed Wireless offers lower speeds, which can affect gaming performance, but its lower latency can be an advantage for more stable connections.
What is better than Starlink in Australia?
In urban or well-served regional areas, fibre-based NBN (FTTP/FTTC) often outperforms Starlink with faster, more consistent speeds and lower latency—plus it's usually cheaper. If you live in a city or town with good infrastructure, NBN fibre or even 5G home internet from providers like Telstra or Optus may be better options. But in rural or remote locations, Starlink usually offers the best performance compared to satellite NBN or patchy mobile connections.