Independent guide · facts checked November 2026
Satellite broadband, without the noise.
Five plain-English guides for getting online anywhere in the UK: how it works, who actually sells it, what it really costs, and whether you should choose it at all.
1
satellite broadband service on open sale to UK homes: Starlink
25–50ms
typical low Earth orbit latency, against 600 ms or more for older GEO services
80–110Mbps
typical UK Starlink download speed in independent measurements
£40/mo
list price of the entry home plan; varies by address
Correct as of November 2026. Sources: Ofcom, Ookla, Opensignal and Starlink, cited in each guide.
Five guides. Everything that matters.
72 minutes of reading, 91 cited sources and 45 answered questions. Read them in order, or jump to the one you need.
- 01Satellite Broadband in the UK: The Complete GuideHow satellite broadband works in the UK, LEO vs GEO, real speeds and latency, who it suits and who should avoid it. Independent guide, updated November 2026.
- 02UK Satellite Broadband Providers Compared: Who Actually Sells to HomesEvery UK satellite broadband provider checked: Starlink plans, prices, speeds and contracts compared, plus EE, Amazon Leo and others. Updated November 2026.
- 03What Satellite Broadband Really Costs in the UKSatellite broadband costs in the UK: monthly fees, delivery, installation, hidden costs and Starlink totals over 1, 2 and 3 years. Checked November 2026.
- 04Satellite vs Fibre, 4G/5G and Fixed Wireless: Rural Broadband Alternatives ComparedSatellite vs full fibre, FTTC, 4G/5G and fixed wireless for rural UK homes, plus the government and Ofcom schemes still open in November 2026. Clear advice.
- 05Living with Satellite Broadband: Installation, Performance and TroubleshootingHow to install and live with satellite broadband in the UK: dish placement, obstructions, planning rules, weather, gaming, video calls, VPNs and fixes.
Sixty-second check
Should you go satellite?
Satellite works almost anywhere, but it is rarely the first thing to try. Answer up to four questions, in the order we recommend in our guide to rural alternatives.
1Can you get full fibre at your address?
Order full fibre.
It is faster, steadier and normally cheaper than satellite. Check the government postcode checker and local networks first.
Compare the alternatives2Does your current line give a stable 30 Mbps or more?
Your current line may be enough.
A steady 30 Mbps covers streaming and video calls for most households. Keep it, and watch for fibre plans.
See the decision order3Is 4G or 5G strong at home, even in the evening?
Try 4G or 5G home broadband.
It is usually the cheapest option. Test the strongest network on a rolling monthly plan before you commit.
Read about mobile broadband4Does a local fixed wireless provider cover you?
Compare the fixed wireless offer.
A local wireless ISP can match or beat satellite on latency. Ask for real speeds at your address.
What is fixed wireless?
Our verdict
Satellite is your answer.
None of the wired or mobile options gives you a reliable connection, so satellite is the right call, provided the dish can see a wide stretch of open sky. Start on the 30-day trial with the cheapest plan offered at your address, and test it at peak evening times.
What changes next.
Satellite broadband moves quickly. These are the dates and launches we are watching, and the guides we will update when they land.
Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme closes
Last day for new applications. Schemes still open
Starlink November offer ends
Home plans from £28 for new customers in selected areas. Full cost breakdown
- Coming soon
EE Satellite Broadband
BT Group’s Starlink-based service. No price published yet. What we know
- No date yet
Amazon Leo in the UK
Ofcom-approved, business preview only so far. What we know
Honest by design.
Dated facts
Every price, speed and scheme is labelled with the month it was checked. Starlink alone changed UK prices or terms at least seven times in 2026.
Cited sources
91 links to Ofcom, provider terms and independent measurements, listed at the end of every guide.
Straight advice
We tell you when satellite is the wrong choice. If you can get full fibre or strong 5G, we say so first.