As consumer internet options expand with new satellite and 5G networks, American households find themselves facing a choice between exciting but unproven wireless alternatives and the traditional cable or fiber connections that have higher monthly costs but also faster, more reliable speeds (for now).
This guide will analyze the growing competition between SpaceX‘s three-year-old Starlink satellite network and Dish‘s brand-new Project Genesis 5G service, so you can determine which technology seems better positioned for home internet dominance in the years ahead based on their current pricing, availability, features and growth outlooks.
A Tale of Two Very Different Technologies
First, it‘s important to clarify that Starlink and Dish Genesis represent completely different technological approaches to internet delivery, each with their own inherent infrastructure challenges.
Starlink leverages a globe-spanning grid of low Earth orbit satellites—over 3,000 already with plans for 42,000 more—to beam broadband all over the planet. It promises solid performance for those outside city centers and legacy providers‘ reach.
Comparatively fresh to the home internet market, Dish 5G utilizes traditional cell towers (their own and partners’) broadcasting at special frequencies, then requires a compatible device to receive the signals. The benefit here is no equipment other than a modem.
So while both can provide wireless connectivity to your devices, Starlink functions more like satellite TV from space while Dish Genesis follows the mobile phone tower model. These different designs inform much about speeds, pricing and ideal use cases.
Starlink’s Global Satellite Swarm Keeps Growing
Ever since its first test launch in 2018, Starlink has rapidly grown its constellation of satellites orbiting the planet to provide broadband internet connectivity from space, with a focus on serving rural and remote regions.
- Over 3,000 satellites launched to date
- 42,000+ projected by 2027 for maximum network capacity
- Blanketing huge sections of North America, Europe, Australia already
- Leveraging mid-band and low-band radio frequencies better suited for satellite transmission across long distances
- Building gateway ground stations worldwide to link satellites to terrestrial internet backbone
- Currently averaging 2 Starlink launches a month with SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets
Competitors like Amazon’s Project Kuiper and British satellite operator OneWeb are racing to build out their own massive low Earth orbit satellite internet networks in coming years. But Starlink maintains a sizable first-mover advantage towards making functional global satellite broadband a reality after years of failed attempts by others.
Dish Wireless Gains Steam with First 5G Offering
Dish Network has been primarily a satellite TV provider for decades, but has recently pivoted into wireless via acquisition of mobile companies like Boost Mobile and Sprint assets as it tries to build the “world’s most advanced 5G network”.
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Met FCC deadline on June 14th, 2022 to launch 5G services after years of delays
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Currently limited to 120 cities & towns but adding more weekly
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Leveraging 12GHz spectrum for projected fast speeds & lower congestion
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Requires compatible device like custom 5G mifi hub or Samsung phone
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Utilizing 70MHz of licensed spectrum holdings plus infrastructure partnerships with Tower companies
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Building state-of-the-art cloud native OpenRAN network architecture for efficiency
While analysts remain skeptical about Dish’s ability to fund their ambitious 5G rollout goals nationwide, early tests prove promising for fast home internet delivery.
As legacy giants Verizon and T-Mobile battle for 5G market share, this new offering from Dish in partnership with Samsung and others could disrupt the entire wireless landscape.
Starlink Download Speeds Maintain Their Lead
Based on quarterly reports compiled by Ookla Speedtest Intelligence, Starlink continues providing faster download speeds than Dish and other 5G competitors, although Dish shows signs of catching up as they build out their network capacity in more regions.
Starlink Download Speeds
| Date | Avg Download Speed |
|---|---|
| December 2022 | 145.86 Mbps |
| September 2022 | 123.16 Mbps |
| June 2022 | 105.72 Mbps |
Dish Download Speeds
| Date | Avg Download Speed |
|---|---|
| December 2022 | 86.41 Mbps |
| September 2022 | 44.33 Mbps |
| June 2022 | 14.50 Mbps |
While Dish advertises speeds “over 100 Mbps”, the Ookla analysis of actual tests reveals highly variable performance dependent on regional rollout progress. As Dish activates their mid-band spectrum in more cities and builds additional cell sites, speeds should become both faster and more consistent nationwide.
Independent analysts like Omdia project Dish reaching 70 million 5G subscribers by 2025, which could fuel rapid improvements towards matching or exceeding Starlink’s satellite capacity.
Availability Favors Starlink’s Early Lead
Given Dish just launched their first 5G markets in mid-2022 after years of delays, Starlink holds a massive advantage when it comes to service coverage area for interested customers.
Dish 5G Home Internet availability remains extremely limited, though the company says it is activating new cities weekly as phone carrier partners expand compatible tower equipment installations.
Dish 5G Cities Activated (January 2023)
- Akron
- Albuquerque
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Birmingham
- Boise
- Boston
- Buffalo
- Charleston
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnatti
- Cleveland
- Colorado Springs
(Plus 100 more across 30 states)
Starlink’s satellite reach expands with each new SpaceX launch, already covering entire states and rural areas outside Dish’s early 5G markets. Over 600,000 households now use Starlink internet nationwide.
Simply enter your zip code on Starlink’s website to confirm if your location is eligible. Given the global satellite footprint, even remote islands and overseas US territories can apply for service.
Starlink Coverage Map (Dark Red = Active)
Until Dish Wireless completes its multi-year 5G buildout to rival national carriers, Starlink remains the clear choice for many rural regions. But Dish’s strategy of targeting denser urban zones may also pay dividends.
Price Wars: Affordable Dish vs Premium Starlink
When it comes to home internet pricing, Dish clearly has the upper hand over Starlink and traditional broadband providers alike.
Dish is offering their 5G internet packages at unprecedented rates to attract early adopters, including:
- $30/month for 100GB high-speed data
- $50/month fully unlimited data
- No annual contracts or equipment fees
Starlink’s monthly fees are substantially higher, especially given large hardware purchases required.
- $110/month for unlimited data
- $599 one-time equipment cost
- Monthly uptime/performance commitment
Estimating Total Costs Over 2 Years
| Starlink | Dish 5G | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | $599 | $0 |
| Install fee | $100 | $0 |
| Monthly | $110 x 24 mo | $50 x 24 mo |
| Total Cost | $3,149 | $1,200 |
So while Dish 5G offers slower speeds and minimal rural access currently, its inarguably consumer-friendly pricing could drive adoption in cities once the network matures.
Satellite capacity and maintenance costs may prevent Starlink from ever matching Dish’s low prices, keeping the service premium-positioned.
The Battle Over 12GHz Spectrum
Beyond sheer infrastructure scale, a wonky regulatory battle over something called 12GHz spectrum could greatly shape the Dish vs Starlink speed race in coming years.
Simply put, Dish owns lots of unused airwave rights in the 12GHz frequency band but are currently restricted to using them only for satellite service (like broadcasting their Dish TV programming).
Dish desperately wants permission from the FCC to utilize these channels for two-way 5G communications instead, arguing the 500MHz of 12GHz spectrum capacity would massively accelerate their wireless buildout plans for fast home internet everywhere.
Starlink operators SpaceX argue that 5G signals in the 12GHz band would dangerously interfere with their space network’s satellite dishes pointing across the sky. SpaceX claims even a compromise sharing of the spectrum would knock out Starlink for up to 74% of households.
If Dish convinces regulators to open 12GHz for flexible use including 5G internet delivery, it would gain dedicated mid-band spectrum few competitors could challenge nationwide.
But if status quo restrictions remain, Dish loses its secret speed weapon while Starlink forges ahead. This battle’s outcome could greatly shape your future home internet options.
Comparing Pros and Cons
Dish 5G Advantages
- Cheapest unlimited 5G pricing available
- Leverages upgraded phone tower networks
- Seamless integration with mobile service
- Blazing speeds expected as 5G rolls out
- 12GHz spectrum would be game-changer
Dish 5G Disadvantages
- Very limited availability in early markets only
- Requires special device like Samsung 5G phone
- Dependent on Dish funding and partnerships
- Speeds and performance still unproven
Starlink Advantages
- 85 times more coverage than Dish nationwide
- Consistently low latency for gaming/video
- Infrastructure funded by SpaceX, not Dish
- Leading rural/remote connectivity solution
- Leveraging globe-spanning satellite fleet
Starlink Disadvantages
- $599 equipment cost plus $110 monthly fees
- Signal uptime relies on atmosphere conditions
- Satellite capacity constraints limit max speeds
- 12GHz battle threatens satellite reception
Conclusion: The Future is Wireless
It remains very early days for both Dish Wireless’ first 5G offering focused on value-driven cord-cutters as well as SpaceX Starlink’s satellite network serving unconnected rural households across global regions.
But Starlink‘s large existing user base and continuous satellite launch schedule suggest they hold the upper hand in the near term to come close to delivering on Elon Musk‘s promise of high-speed broadband from space for all.
Dish Network talks a big game about rivaling national wireless carriers and challenging terrestrial internet providers via Project Genesis. But between funding questions and the tight deadline facing their promised coast-to-coast 5G rollout, it’s wise to take a wait-and-see approach on performance claims from the new telco kid on the block.
That being said, early speed tests prove Dish can deliver impressively fast connectivity in the cities where service is live. So for cord-cutters on a budget frustrated with cable company bills, their $30 monthly 5G option tentatively warrants consideration once expanded in your local market.
Long term, analysts seem confident on continued rapid growth for both satellite broadband like Starlink and next-gen “fixed wireless” solutions from Dish and others leveraging upgraded 5G equipment which could even the playing field in time.
I hope this full overview analysis helps provide useful context in differentiating these two very exciting but very different internet technologies. Let the wireless speed wars begin towards 100% broadband access!
