Starlink vs optical fiber: Why in Greece satellite internet "wins" over fixed networks 2026

New data from Ookla for the first quarter of 2026 reveals a paradox: Starlink is faster than fixed networks in several European countries — and Greece is among the most notable cases. This picture is not because Starlink has become great, but because fixed broadband in many countries is still insufficient.

Greece: Starlink almost twice as much as fixed networks
Ookla's Speedtest Intelligence data for Q1 2026 places Greece in a revealing position. Starlink's average download speed in the country is 195 Mbps, while all fixed networks register around 95 Mbps — almost half the performance. Greece has one of the largest gaps among the European countries examined by the study, which directly reflects the degree of development of fiber optic infrastructure in the country.

The logic behind the numbers
Ookla detects a clear pattern across Europe: where fiber penetration is high, fixed networks handily beat Starlink. In France fixed networks reach around 350 Mbps compared to Starlink's 175 Mbps. In Denmark the corresponding ratio is 290 versus 125 Mbps, and in Spain 280 versus 165 Mbps. Starlink excels in countries with weak fixed infrastructure — Croatia, Latvia, Estonia, Austria, Slovakia, Italy and Greece. Starlink is faster where the lack of investment in terrestrial infrastructure makes it look strong, not necessarily because the service itself has improved dramatically.

The global context: Starlink without meaningful competition

In the field of satellite connections, SpaceX faces practically no competitors. According to Ookla data for Q3 2025, Starlink accounts for 97% of satellite speed tests worldwide — with Viasat at 1.7% and HughesNet at 1%. The network operates with 10,790 satellites in low altitude orbit, an advantage that no one else has yet been able to replicate. It's worth noting that there is a discrepancy between Ookla's independent measurements and the official SpaceX data, which reports median download speeds of more than 200 Mbps for 2025 — a difference due to different measurement methodology.

Europe responds with IRIS²
This picture does not leave European governments indifferent. The EU has already committed to funding its own satellite constellation, known as IRIS², with a budget of €10.6 billion and a target to be operational in 2030. It is a European response to reliance on infrastructure controlled by private US actors, at a time when satellite connectivity is now seen as a matter of national security and digital sovereignty.

Ookla's chart is essentially a report card for European internet infrastructure. For our country, the picture is clear: Starlink does not "win" because it is perfect, but because fixed broadband in a large part of the territory lags behind. As long as optical fiber is not extended to rural and semi-urban areas, satellite internet will continue to be for many not an option, but a one way.

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