SpaceX is gearing up to launch a next-generation Starlink dish that promises significantly faster internet speeds, potentially reaching up to 1Gbps—far beyond the current 200Mbps limit. This could be a game-changer for users in rural and underserved areas who rely on satellite internet.

A new Starlink dish was recently mentioned during a webinar for resellers, according to someone who attended the session. While details remain limited, this confirms that SpaceX is actively working on the technology to boost Starlink’s speed and performance.

What This Means

Right now, Starlink offers solid speeds, but it’s not always a true alternative to fiber networks. A jump to gigabit speeds could change that. Imagine having fiber-like internet in places where fiber simply isn’t available—this could make a huge difference for businesses, remote workers, and even households looking for a more reliable connection.

Of course, there’s a catch. Users will likely need to purchase new hardware to take advantage of the speed upgrade. That means an additional cost on top of the monthly subscription.

How SpaceX Plans to Do It

To make gigabit speeds possible, SpaceX is focusing on two key upgrades:

• Expanding Starlink’s radio spectrum usage – This would allow for greater data transmission capacity.
• Deploying upgraded Starlink satellites – The upcoming V3 Starlink satellites will be launched using SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket, which is still in development.

However, all of this depends on regulatory approvals. SpaceX has applied for permission from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make these upgrades, but it’s still waiting for the green light.

SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell hinted at these improvements last year, saying, “Next generation, we’ll have smaller beams, more capacity per beam, lower latency. Starlink speeds will reach as high as 2 gigabits.”

Satellite industry analyst Tim Farrar also noted that even existing Starlink users may see some speed improvements, thanks to potential changes in power limits and satellite positioning that SpaceX is working on.

Before rolling out to regular customers, SpaceX may introduce the gigabit-capable dish to business users first. The company is also working on a new high-performance dish for enterprise buyers.

Additionally, this upgraded model will follow the recently introduced Starlink Mini dish, which currently costs $499 in the U.S.