Speedy LEO Broadband Gaining Ground Across Europe

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Many European countries already have wide broadband coverage, according to Ookla. Fiber networks are expanding, gigabit speed goals have been set in government policy, and many households now have much faster fixed broadband than they did a few years ago. The big question: What’s the best way to extend broadband to the remaining underserved or unserved areas?

Ookla’s Speedtests show that Starlink as a low-Earth orbit broadband operator is gaining ground, so to speak, in providing broadband service where the terrestrial networks do not or cannot reach. Across 27 European countries, satellite-based broadband service is being selected where fixed networks are delayed, weaker, difficult to extend, or needed as backup. Starlink’s earth-based dish terminals are being used in areas such as islands, farms, mountain communities, seasonal homes, remote businesses, and rural premises still waiting for planned upgrades. 

The recent Ookla Speedtest report produced some interesting findings:

  • Starlink download speeds increased in most European markets. Starlink’s median download speed across all 27 countries rose from 114.05 Mbps in Q1 2025 to 165.71 Mbps in Q1 2026, up 45 percent year-over-year. Download speed improved in 26 of the 27 markets.
  • Satellite usage is most visible where fixed broadband leaves more gaps. Bulgaria had the highest Starlink Speedtest sample share at 8 percent, followed by Greece and Croatia at 6 percent each, with Ireland and Latvia at 4 percent each.
  • Terrestrial fixed broadband still has major advantages. Starlink was faster than the average fixed network on median download speed in 11 of 27 markets, but fixed networks had lower latency in every market and stronger upload performance in 26 countries.
  • Satellite broadband is becoming a broader European category. While Starlink is the most visible direct-to-consumer LEO provider, the presence of other satellite operators including Eutelsat OneWeb, Amazon Leo, and Europe’s IRIS² program suggest a wider satellite connectivity market is starting to emerge.