Satellite Broadband UK
Satellite broadband is worth considering if you are in a rural area with no fixed-line options and limited mobile signal. For everyone else, it is probably not the right choice.
In the UK, satellite broadband effectively means Starlink. SpaceX's low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite network has transformed what satellite broadband can do, delivering 50-300 Mbps download speeds with latency of 20-40ms. That is a completely different proposition to the old geostationary satellite services, which had 600ms latency and were barely usable for video calls.
The catch is cost. Starlink requires a one-off £459 hardware purchase and costs around £75 per month, compared to £28-45 for full fibre. It makes sense for properties where no other option exists. For addresses that can get fixed-line broadband or decent 4G, it is hard to justify.
Bottom line
Satellite broadband is a last resort, not an upgrade.
If you are on slow ADSL or have no fixed-line broadband at all, Starlink is a genuine solution that actually works. But if you can get full fibre or a reliable 4G signal, those options are faster per pound spent. Check your postcode first before committing to satellite hardware costs.
Satellite vs the alternatives
Typical figures for a UK home in 2026. Actual speeds vary by address and conditions.
| Standard ADSL | 4G Home Broadband | Starlink Satellite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical download | Up to 24 Mbps | 50-150 Mbps | 50-300 Mbps |
| Typical upload | 1-2 Mbps | 10-30 Mbps | 5-20 Mbps |
| Latency | 20-50ms | 20-60ms | 20-40ms |
| Monthly cost | £20-25 | £25-40 | ~£75 |
| Setup cost | None | None or low | £459 hardware |
| Rural coverage | Poor | Variable | Anywhere with clear sky |
Who satellite broadband suits
- Rural homes where FTTP, FTTC, and 4G are not available or are too slow to be useful
- Properties where ADSL delivers below 10 Mbps and no upgrade is planned
- Remote locations: farms, moorland, islands, areas excluded from the fibre rollout
- Households that genuinely need reliable speeds for video calls or remote work with no fixed-line alternative
- Temporary connections during building work or while waiting for a fibre installation
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who can get full fibre (FTTP) — it is faster, cheaper, and more reliable
- Anyone with a reliable 4G signal — 4G home broadband costs less and needs no hardware investment
- Renters who cannot install a satellite dish or may move — the £459 hardware cost is hard to recover
- Heavy gamers who need consistent sub-20ms latency — satellite latency fluctuates more than fixed line
- Anyone on a tight budget — at £75/month plus hardware, there are usually cheaper options
Before you decide
Check what else is available at your address
Satellite should be a last resort. Enter your postcode to see whether full fibre, superfast, or 4G home broadband is available where you are. If any of those are an option, they will almost always be better value.
GuideFull fibre (FTTP) explained
Before committing to satellite, check whether full fibre is available or coming soon to your area. FTTP is faster, cheaper, and more reliable than satellite for most rural addresses.
Read guide
GuideMobile broadband explained
4G and 5G home broadband is often a cheaper alternative to satellite in rural areas. If you have decent mobile signal, it is worth comparing before opting for Starlink.
Read guide
What broadband speed do you actually need?
Work out the minimum speed your household needs before choosing a connection type
Starlink broadband: coverage and availability
Check Starlink availability at your postcode
Check availability at your address
UK satellite provider
Starlink is the only realistic option
Traditional geostationary satellite services like Tooway still exist but are largely obsolete. Their 600ms+ latency makes video calls frustrating and online gaming impossible. Starlink's low-earth orbit constellation changed that, and it is now the only satellite service worth considering for UK homes.
Starlink is available to order across the whole of the UK. You need a clear, unobstructed view of the sky. Trees, buildings, or a north-facing dish position will reduce performance.
Check Starlink availabilityStarlink at a glance
- Monthly cost
- ~£75/month (Standard)
- Hardware
- £459 one-off (dish + router)
- Download speed
- 50-300 Mbps typical
- Upload speed
- 5-20 Mbps typical
- Latency
- 20-40ms
- Contract
- Rolling monthly, no fixed term
- Installation
- Self-install, no engineer needed
- Coverage
- All of UK (clear sky required)
Check your postcode
See what is available at your address
Before committing to satellite, check whether fixed-line or 4G broadband is available where you are.