A new Starlink router was recently approved by the FCC, which could be a sign that more equipment is on the way soon.
New Starlink Equipment Could Be on the Horizon
1 min read
The Starlink 2nd Gen router. The newest router model, which was revealed in an FCC certification filing, has a similar appearance. | Photo by Mikalya Rivera for SatelliteInternet.com
The next iteration of Starlink’s satellite internet equipment is expected to arrive soon. Newly released filings from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) revealed that it has recently approved a new router device for Starlink.
The new device, model number UTR-251, is depicted in the filing, with a design different from the current-gen router and resembling the previous generation router, which stands upright.
The new Starlink router as depicted in the FCC certification filing. It resembles an older router model, but appears thinner. | Credit: FCC/Starlink
The new Starlink router features Wi-Fi 6 and has lower power requirements than previous routers, according to the filing. Besides those points, it’s unknown what new features the router may include. The new router also features only one Ethernet output, as opposed to the two on the previous router.
The Gen 3 router model has two onboard Ethernet outputs. The newest model is shown to have only one. Customers who need more than one output to connect multiple devices will need an Ethernet splitter. | Photo by Allaina Jefferys for SatelliteInternet.com
Is more new Starlink equipment on the way?
While there’s no indication when this router will be available or if it’s just a standalone product, the new router may be packaged with a new dish. The latest version, the Starlink Mini, was released in June 2024, and Starlink has consistently released new hardware almost every year since its start. Starlink enthusiasts online have also speculated that a new dish is on the way.
It’s also no secret that Starlink aims to boost its service to deliver download speeds of 2 gigabytes per second and beyond. It will require new customer hardware and more satellites in orbit, which SpaceX plans to achieve with its new Starship spacecraft, currently in development.
Whether the router is a standalone product or an indicator for a next-generation dish, it’s confirmation that Starlink will continue to update and advance its hardware and service.
