Starlink adds subscribers, but Ookla questions whether its network can keep up

what happened

SpaceX's Starlink (ticker SPCX) improved upload speeds and grew its user base across the United States in the first half of 2026. Ookla, a unit of Accenture that tests network performance, says the real test is whether the service can sustain that pace. In its view, the second half of this year will show whether network capacity can match demand.

According to Ookla, Starlink's US Speedtest sample counts rose 41.8% year over year, partly due to cheaper plans. Median upload speeds climbed 42% to 20.73 Mbps, and download speeds rose 12% to 119.71 Mbps. Still, median download speeds fell in 16 states and Washington, D.C., including Texas, Florida and Washington, which are among Starlink's busiest markets. Ookla warned that continued push on low-cost plans could pressure speeds where demand is concentrated. SpaceX had not responded to a request for comment from Stocktwits.

SpaceX is counting on its next-generation V3 satellites, which the company says each deliver about 10 times the downlink capacity of earlier models. It has also agreed to acquire Grain Management's nationwide 800 MHz spectrum portfolio, a move that could help Starlink Mobile compete more directly with US wireless carriers.

why it matters

For SPCX holders, the key question is whether SpaceX can add network capacity faster than demand grows. According to Stocktwits, the stock is about 6.7% above its $135 IPO price, and retail sentiment around it stayed bullish over the past day. Subscriber growth alone does not guarantee service quality under heavy load, so the V3 satellite rollout will be a key factor to watch.

market impact

SPCX: whether Starlink's network capacity keeps pace with demand is a factor for SpaceX shares

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