Key Takeaways
1. The FCC has approved a power boost for Starlink dishes, increasing EIRP for the Standard dish from 42.1 dBW to 43.4 dBW.
2. The Starlink Mini dish power output has increased significantly from 33.2 dBW to 39.2 dBW, improving performance during roaming.
3. SpaceX is launching V2 satellites rapidly, adding 5 Tbps of capacity weekly, resulting in average U.S. download speeds of 200 Mbps.
4. Some users have reported download speeds exceeding 300 Mbps after a recent firmware update, indicating potential for future improvements.
5. It is unclear if current subscribers will get the power boost via firmware updates or if it will only be available on new dishes from the Bastrop facility.
SpaceX has received permission for a power boost on its Starlink dishes, something it has been seeking for over a year now.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved an increase in the Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) for the Standard dish, raising it from 42.1 decibel watts (dBW) to 43.4 dBW.
Improved Performance for the Mini Dish
In addition, the Starlink Mini dish, referred to in the FCC documents as UT3-V2, has seen a much larger increase in its power output, now permitted to transmit at 39.2 dBW instead of the previous 33.2 dBW.
This increase in signal strength will enhance the performance of the Starlink Mini dish during roaming, enabling faster download speeds when a user is farther away from the Mini kit. The same applies to the Standard dish, which is currently available at a discounted price across the United States.
Rapid Satellite Launching
SpaceX is actively deploying V2 satellites, adding 5 Tbps of capacity every week. As a result, the average download speeds for Starlink in the U.S. have reached 200 Mbps, even during peak hours, which is double what it was three years ago, even with the growing number of subscribers.
Some users have noted significant increases in their download speeds, exceeding 300 Mbps, following a firmware update sent to ground stations. This update was part of preparations for the launch of a gigabit network set for 2026. Although the update caused a major outage, the speed boosts some users are experiencing could indicate future improvements thanks to the recently approved power increases for both the Standard and Mini dishes.
Uncertainty for Existing Subscribers
The FCC has approved this power boost for use both when the Starlink dish is stationary and when it is in motion. However, it remains uncertain whether current subscribers will receive this new capability through a firmware update or if only new dishes produced at Starlink’s Bastrop facility, which operates at a rate of 15,000 units per day, will feature the enhanced power output.
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