Starlink Expands in Europe Amidst Terrestrial Broadband Gaps

Starlink Expands in Europe Amidst Terrestrial Broadband Gaps

First seen 27 May 2026, 13:13 UTC Lightreadingwww.ookla.comwww.ftthcouncil.eu 82% similarity 21.9

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Starlink has become a significant alternative for broadband in areas of Europe lacking robust terrestrial networks. With over 4.6 million new customers in 2025, Starlink's performance has improved, showcasing median download speeds of 165.71 Mbps across 27 European markets in Q1 2026. Greece and Bulgaria are highlighted as key markets where Starlink fills coverage gaps, with Bulgaria having the highest sample at 8% despite low speeds. The service is particularly beneficial in rural and remote areas where fixed broadband is delayed or insufficient. However, Starlink's performance varies, with Bulgaria experiencing a drop in speed to 61.06 Mbps, indicating potential capacity strain. Overall, while Starlink's speeds have improved, terrestrial broadband remains superior in most European markets.

Key Points: • Starlink connected over 4.6 million new customers in 2025, enhancing its service. • Greece and Bulgaria are crucial markets for Starlink, filling broadband gaps in rural areas. • Despite improvements, Starlink's performance is still lower than terrestrial broadband in most regions.

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Timeline

2025-01-01
Starlink customer growth reported
Starlink connected over 4.6 million new active customers in 2025, indicating strong demand.
Ookla
2026-05-27
Starlink performance data released
Starlink's median download speed across Europe reached 165.71 Mbps in Q1 2026, showing improvements.
Lightreading
2026-05-27
Bulgaria's Starlink speeds decline
Bulgaria reported the lowest median download speed for Starlink at 61.06 Mbps, down 5% from the previous year.
Ookla

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