SpaceX’s Starlink broadband-by-satellite system is, somewhat later than expected, saying it now has more than 5 million “connections” and is now available in 125 countries and territories.

The company said: “Starlink is being used by so many people, businesses, and organisations in more than 125 countries, territories, and other markets around the world, spanning all seven continents and oceans. The number of people using Starlink around the world has grown to more than 5 million + and counting.”

Analysts had widely expected the 5 million to be reached by the end of last year. In December 2014 analysts at Quilty Space said the SpaceX/Starlink ‘broadband-by-satellite’ system had then hit 5 million subscribers/users.

“From its debut announcement of 60,000 subscribers in 2021 to hitting 5 million this month, Starlink’s growth trajectory is not only accelerating at a rapid clip — but the timeline of milestones continues to narrow. After reaching its first million subscribers in 2022, it took nine months to double that. In 2024, Starlink added 3 million subscribers, with announcements spaced once every quarter,” said Quilty in December 2014.

Indeed, SpaceX’s president and COO Gwynne Shotwell, speaking in late September 2014 confirmed having 4 million subscribers, up from 3 million in May.

As to the latest numbers, it seems that Starlink is adding some 2 million ‘connections’ annually. Part of the slowdown is blamed on two factors: a shortage of terminals that’s reported to have been cured. The other is a ‘sold out’ positions in some major urban areas, and can only be improved with extra satellites in orbit.