Starlink restores service after ‘longest’ global outage lasting over two hours

Starlink, the satellite internet service spearheaded by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has largely restored its operations following a substantial global outage that impacted numerous users across countries, including the US, UK, Germany, Zimbabwe, and Romania. This disruption, which persisted for around 2.5 hours, is reported to be one of the most extended outages in Starlink's history. The incident unfolded shortly after Starlink announced its collaboration with T-Mobile to launch a new service called T-Satellite, aimed at enhancing connectivity in remote regions. Starlink Vice President Michael Nicolls took to X (formerly Twitter) to inform users about the partial restoration of services, stating, "Starlink has now mostly recovered from the network outage, which lasted approximately 2.5 hours. The issue was caused by failures in key internal software services essential for operating our core network. We sincerely apologize for this temporary disruption and are committed to ensuring such an issue does not recur." Earlier in the day, Musk acknowledged the outage, promising users that service would be reinstated shortly. "Service will be restored shortly. Sorry for the outage. SpaceX will remedy root cause to ensure it doesn’t happen again," he posted. User reports of the outage surged, with Downdetector documenting over 60,000 incidents by 9 PM BST. An overwhelming 65% of users experienced a complete blackout, prompting a wave of frustration on social media. One user from the UK expressed discontent, stating, "The only downfall to Starlink is when it goes down, your only alternative is your phone network." This incident highlights the growing reliance on satellite internet, especially in rural and underserved areas, where users often depend on mobile data for connectivity. This outage coincided with the recent announcement of T-Satellite, designed to connect mobile phones directly to satellites, even in zones lacking traditional cellular infrastructure. Musk noted earlier on the same day that the direct-to-phone network was expanding rapidly. However, the outage's timing has raised concerns, with some speculating whether the new service may have inadvertently influenced Starlink's core systems—a connection SpaceX has yet to clarify. Starlink operates a global satellite broadband network, providing high-speed internet access to areas that are often overlooked. With a presence in over 130 countries, it has become an essential resource for individuals, businesses, and emergency services. Despite this recent setback, Starlink continues to be one of the most ambitious satellite internet initiatives currently in operation. As services stabilize for most users, Nicolls reassured customers that a comprehensive investigation is underway to prevent future occurrences. As the demand for reliable digital infrastructure grows worldwide, the pressure on networks like Starlink to deliver uninterrupted service remains ever-increasing.