Do Starlink Waiting Lists Mean Slowdowns Are on the Way?
The network is already sold out in major U.S. cities
Nov 21, 2024 | Share 
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Starlink satellite internet has reached network capacity again in several major U.S. cities. Does this mean slowdowns for existing customers or long waits for new customers?
Waitlists appeared on the Starlink availability map a few days ago. They came after a summer of equipment discounts and service giveaways intended to aid recovery after hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Only one city in the hurricane zone is on the waiting list, but other cities with thriving tech scenes are also on ice.
It could mean Starlink has become a fad among certain demographics (read: tech bros) rather than a must-have connectivity tool where no other high-speed internet is available.
The following cities are on the Starlink waiting list:
- Aspen, Colo.
- Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
- Austin, Texas
- Highlands, N.C.
- Missoula, Mont.
- Portland, Ore.
- Sacramento, Cali.
- San Diego, Cali.
- Spokane, Wash.
There’s also a waiting list in parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico).
Could Starlink wait-list more areas?
Starlink is notoriously opaque about availability and pricing, so we don’t know for sure if more areas will be wait-listed. However, we know waiting lists happen when a given area runs out of network capacity.
That capacity relies on both satellites in the sky and ground stations on Earth. Starlink’s satellites (6,624 at last count) orbit very close to Earth, so many small ground stations are needed.
In contrast, competitor Viasat has just a few huge satellites in geostationary orbit, so it needs only a few huge ground stations. The company has those parked right on top of major internet trunk lines.
It’s unusual to see waitlists around major cities rather than in rural areas since most cities have access to internet that’s faster and more reliable than satellite internet.
Will Starlink speeds slow down due to congestion?
Yes, it’s likely that Starlink speeds will slow down if you’re already a customer and you’re in an area that’s been wait-listed. It’s happened before. Just after Starlink released its service to the public, after hyping up all the super-high speeds it managed to achieve in testing, speeds cratered for everyday customers.
Around the same time, Starlink repeatedly changed its data cap policies in an attempt to manage its network. Things calmed down for several months, and the company even offered discounts for standard receiver kits, which seemed to mean it had more than enough capacity. By mid-October, the price stabilized at $349, with extra fees in congested areas.
If Starlink is once again instituting waiting lists, it follows that speeds are already congested (or will be soon). Read more about Starlink’s availability.
What happens when Starlink puts you on a waiting list?
If you’re in an area that’s been wait-listed by Starlink, you’ll get the following message during checkout:
“Starlink is at capacity in your area. Order now to reserve your Starlink. You will receive a notification once your Starlink is ready to ship.”
If you agree, you’ll pay a $99 deposit and agree to pay the remaining $249 for the kit and $120 per month when it arrives. There’s no option to choose one of Starlink Roam’s plans if you use an address in a wait-listed area.
If you buy a Starlink from a retailer like Walmart, Cabela’s, Home Depot, or Best Buy, you can activate the device during checkout. You’ll need your unique Starlink Identifier.
My take: Starlink is a provider of last resort
Starlink is incredible—you can get fast internet from almost anywhere, with equipment that’s small enough to fit in a trunk (or a backpack, if you have a Mini receiver dish). But it’s expensive, hard to set up, and unreliable.
So what’s even more incredible? Fast, reliable, and affordable fiber or cable internet or 5G fixed wireless you can set and forget.
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Author - Chili Palmer
Chili Palmer covers breaking news, satellite internet, mobile connectivity, and streaming services for HighSpeedInternet.com. Previously writing under the name Rebecca Palmer, Chili is passionate about providing accurate and accessible information any time you're trying to connect … whether you already speak geek or just got your first smartphone.
Editor - Jessica Brooksby
Jessica loves bringing her passion for the written word and her love of tech into one space at HighSpeedInternet.com. She works with the team’s writers to revise strong, user-focused content so every reader can find the tech that works for them. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in English from Utah Valley University and seven years of creative and editorial experience. Outside of work, she spends her time gaming, reading, painting, and buying an excessive amount of Legend of Zelda merchandise.
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