Evaluating Starlink network performance : a comparative analysis using Qosium and 5G testbed

Abstract

As wireless communication systems evolve to 5G and 6G technologies, the challenge of maintaining robust network performance in rural or underserved areas remains a critical one. Starlink, a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network operated by SpaceX, is a leader among other options to traditional networks, providing wide coverage and high bandwidth at a rather low latency. However, the achievement of consistent and reliable performance in practical settings is still a major problem. This thesis looks at the network performance of Starlink in real-world terms, with emphasis on its integration with the 5G Test Network (5GTN) through a secure WireGuard Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnel. The experiments were conducted in a rural place in Finland where freezing temperatures and snow are common, and the satellite signal is partially blocked. Two-point measurements were carried out using Qosium Probe and Scope with iPerf3 as the main data generator. Six key performance indicators were analyzed in the study, as follows: throughput, latency, jitter, packet loss, and the count and duration of connection breaks were also evaluated. Since the tested parameters were assessed comprehensively, connection breaks received special attention as they directly affected the temporal stability of the system and its preparedness to support real-time or mission-critical services. The results reveal that Starlink provides a good throughput and latency, but there are common, short connection interruptions, mostly because of environmental obstructions and the instability of LEO constellation links. The number and length of connection breaks differed from test session to test session, sometimes causing service disruption despite a constant total data transfer rate. This emphasizes the need for the adoption of effective error handling, adaptive routing, and buffering strategies for the deployment of satellite links in mixed terrestrial-satellite networks. The results of this research extend the knowledge on the deployment of LEO satellite systems in advanced networks and the potential of these systems to provide universal broadband in 5G and 6G communications, with the associated limitations.