Preliminary Investigation Record
VOV TEST 005: Starlink Speedtest Server Variability Test
Evidence ID: VOVE005
Test Configuration
- Location: Goleta Beach, Goleta, California.
- Network: SpaceX Starlink (Starlink Wi-Fi).
- Configuration ID: CFG-001.
- Installation state: Stationary during the full test session.
- Orientation: Approximately 330 degrees NW.
- Primary client: Lenovo laptop using the Ookla Speedtest application.
- Additional connected device: iPhone connected to Starlink Wi-Fi during the session.
- Individual test timestamps: Not recorded.
Raw Data
| Test ID | Speedtest Endpoint | Endpoint Location | Distance | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) | Ping (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TST-017 | KamaTera, Inc. | Los Angeles, CA | Not recorded | 54.43 | 9.22 | 20 |
| TST-018 | Nitel | Los Angeles, CA | Not recorded | 112.50 | 10.41 | 19 |
| TST-019 | Nitel | Los Angeles, CA | Not recorded | 114.01 | 16.16 | 18 |
| TST-020 | KamaTera, Inc. | Los Angeles, CA | Not recorded | 40.38 | 23.55 | 19 |
| TST-021 | Siteserver | Moorpark, CA | 54 miles (displayed) | 29.87 | 20.63 | 17 |
| TST-022 | Siteserver | Moorpark, CA | Not recorded | 84.04 | 19.57 | 23 |
| TST-023 | Nitel | Los Angeles, CA | Not recorded | 71.16 | 14.48 | 20 |
Observations
- Observed download range: 29.87-114.01 Mbps.
- Observed upload range: 9.22-23.55 Mbps.
- Observed ping range: 17-23 ms.
- Maximum/minimum download ratio: approximately 3.82x.
- The Starlink installation remained stationary while substantial throughput variation was recorded within approximately 20 minutes.
- Nitel, KamaTera, and Siteserver are Ookla Speedtest destination servers/endpoints; they are not Starlink satellites.
- Repeated measurements against the same endpoint also varied substantially (example: Siteserver 29.87 then 84.04 Mbps; Nitel 112.50, 114.01, then 71.16 Mbps).
- During testing, the application appeared to refresh/reselect available endpoints. This is recorded as an observation only.
Preliminary Conclusion
The July 24, 2026 Goleta Beach test demonstrates that a single Ookla Speedtest result should not be treated as a complete representation of Starlink throughput under this test configuration.
During a stationary approximately 20-minute test window, measured download performance ranged from 29.87 Mbps to 114.01 Mbps while latency remained within a comparatively narrow 17-23 ms range.
The results indicate that both test-server selection and short-term performance variability must be controlled or documented when evaluating Starlink performance.
Because substantial variation also occurred during repeated measurements against the same Speedtest server, the evidence does not support attributing the full performance spread solely to server selection.
Status: PRELIMINARY / REQUIRES REPLICATION
Limitations
- This session does not represent all Starlink performance conditions.
- Individual per-test timestamps were not recorded.
- This was not a single-client isolated network test because an iPhone was also connected to Starlink Wi-Fi during the session.
- The evidence does not support causation claims about any specific endpoint being inherently faster or slower.
Methodology Implications
- Record Speedtest server name for each run.
- Record server location.
- Record displayed distance when available.
- Record whether server selection was automatic or manual.
- Run repeated measurements against the same endpoint.
- Compare multiple endpoints when evaluating throughput.
- Record exact test order.
- Record exact timestamps when available.
- Record concurrent network load.
- Preserve screenshots and source evidence for every run.
- Preserve every individual result and avoid cherry-picking extremes.
Evidence
Consolidated Contact Sheet (Primary Visual Summary)
