ABSTRACT
Considering the unique context of Nigeria, this paper explores a comprehensive performance evaluation of the LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite system Starlink, with the focus being on its operational effectiveness. The aim of this work is to provide valuable insights into the practical applications and performance of Starlink’s technology in Nigeria by examining various performance characteristics such as Latency, Jitter, Packet Loss, Throughput, Routing Strategy, and Environmental Influential Factors. Methodologically, tests for the various metrices were conducted using command line tools like Ping, tracert, iPerf3, and Python scripts which were used to both automate the testing procedures and analyze the collected data. The results of the assessment show how well Starlink performs in Nigeria’s telecom market. Although the latency was marginally higher than promised, it was still lower than that of the majority of Nigerian MNOs (Mobile Network Operators), hence it was still appropriate for a wide variety of internet users. Low packet loss, manageable jitter levels, and generally satisfactory throughput were also seen in this work. Lastly, it was determined that environmental conditions, in particular prolonged rain, had an effect on Starlink’s functionality. In summary, this work offers strategic insights on Starlink’s strengths and weaknesses, emphasising its capacity to revolutionise connectivity norms in Nigeria and beyond.
