[Starlink] A Multifaceted Look at Starlink Performance

[the keyboard of geoff goodfellow]

EXCERPT:

*A Multifaceted Look at Starlink Performance *

Nitinder Mohan∗ Technical University of Munich Germany
Andrew E. Ferguson∗ The University of Edinburgh United Kingdom
Hendrik Cech∗ Technical University of Munich Germany
Rohan Bose Technical University of Munich Germany
Prakita Rayyan Renatin Technical University of Munich Germany
Mahesh K. Marina The University of Edinburgh United Kingdom
Jörg Ott Technical University of Munich Germany

*ABSTRACT*
In recent years, Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) mega-constellations have ushered in
a new era for ubiquitous Internet access. The Starlink network from SpaceX
stands out as the only commercial LEO network with over 2M+ customers and
more than 4000 operational satellites. In this paper, we conduct a
first-of-its-kind extensive multi-faceted analysis of Starlink performance
leveraging several measurement sources. First, based on 19.2M crowdsourced
M-Lab speed tests from 34 countries since 2021, we analyze Starlink global
performance relative to terrestrial cellular networks. Second, we examine
Starlink’s ability to support real-time latency and bandwidth-critical
applications by analyzing the performance of (i) Zoom conferencing, and
(ii) Luna cloud gaming, comparing it to 5G and fiber. Third, we perform
measurements from Starlink-enabled RIPE Atlas probes to shed light on the
last-mile access and other factors affecting its performance. Finally, we
conduct controlled experiments from Starlink dishes in two countries and
analyze the impact of globally synchronized “15-second reconfiguration
intervals” of the satellite links that cause substantial latency and
throughput variations. Our unique analysis paints the most comprehensive
picture of Starlink’s global and last-mile performance to date.

*1 INTRODUCTION *
Over the past two decades, the Internet’s reach has grown rapidly, driven
by innovations and investments in wireless access [22, 46, 47] (both
cellular and WiFi) and fiber backhaul deployment that has interconnected
the globe [3, 8, 10, 24, 77]. Yet, the emergence of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO)
satellite networking, spearheaded by ventures like Starlink [65], OneWeb
[49], and Kuiper [4], is poised to revolutionize global connectivity. LEO
networks consist of megaconstellations with thousands of satellites
orbiting at 300–2000 km altitudes, promising ubiquitous low latency
coverage worldwide. Consequently, these networks are morphing into “global
ISPs” capable of challenging existing Internet monopolies [66], bridging
connectivity gaps in remote regions [36, 69], and providing support in
disaster-struck regions with impaired terrestrial infrastructure [21]...

[...]
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2310.09242.pdf
via
https://twitter.com/TMFAssociates/status/1762204942297952382

-- 
Geoff.Goodfellow at iconia.com
living as The Truth is True
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