Choosing between Starlink and Vienna's municipally owned fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network depends on your specific needs and location. Here's a comparison to help you decide:

1. Performance

  • Vienna FTTH (100 Mbps symmetrical)
    • Provides consistent speeds with 100 Mbps upload and download.
    • Excellent for streaming, online gaming, video conferencing, and working from home.
    • Low latency (ideal for real-time communication and gaming).
  • Starlink
    • Speeds vary: Typically 50–250 Mbps download, with 10–50 Mbps upload.
    • Latency: 20–40 ms, generally good but can fluctuate due to satellite coverage.
    • Performance may degrade during bad weather or network congestion.

Winner for Consistency: Vienna FTTH.

2. Cost

  • Vienna FTTH: $60/month for 100 Mbps symmetrical, no data caps.
  • Starlink:
    • $120/month (Standard plan) plus $599 upfront for hardware.
    • Premium plan costs more, aimed at businesses or high-demand users.
    • Data caps may apply in the future.

Winner for Affordability: Vienna FTTH.

3. Installation and Availability

  • Vienna FTTH:
    • Local municipal service, easier and cheaper installation within service areas.
    • No reliance on external equipment like satellites or dishes.
  • Starlink:
    • Self-installation requires a clear line of sight to the sky.
    • Better for rural or remote areas outside fiber coverage.

Winner for Ease in a Covered Area: Vienna FTTH.

4. Reliability

  • Vienna FTTH: Fiber is resilient to environmental factors, ensuring uninterrupted service.
  • Starlink: Weather (clouds, rain, snow) can disrupt connectivity, especially in harsh climates.

Winner for Reliability: Vienna FTTH.

5. Future-Proofing

  • Vienna FTTH: Fiber can be upgraded to support higher speeds (e.g., gigabit or multi-gigabit).
  • Starlink: Expanding satellite network, but physical limitations of current satellites may constrain future improvements compared to fiber.

Winner for Scalability: Vienna FTTH.

Recommendation

  • Choose Vienna FTTH if:
    • You are in an area with fiber coverage.
    • You value cost-effective, reliable, and consistent internet.
    • Symmetrical upload/download speeds are important for your usage.
  • Choose Starlink if:
    • You live outside Vienna’s fiber coverage area.
    • Fiber installation isn’t an option.
    • Portability (e.g., for RVs or remote work) is a priority.

For most users within Vienna, the municipal FTTH network is the better choice due to its reliability, performance, and affordability.