Starlink Surpasses 9 Million Active Customers Just Weeks After Hitting 8 Million

SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service has continued its rapid global expansion, recently announcing that it has exceeded 9 million active customers worldwide, just weeks after breaking the 8 million mark. 

The milestone illustrates not only the growing demand for Starlink’s connectivity solution but also the accelerating pace at which the company is adding new subscribers. Since reaching 8 million users in early November, Starlink has added roughly 1 million users in under seven weeks, averaging more than 21,000 new customers per day, a record growth rate for the service. 

Starlink is connecting more than 9M active customers with high-speed internet across 155 countries, territories and many other markets.

Thank you to all our customers around the world! 🛰️❤️🌎 → https://t.co/lJSdYGR9qN pic.twitter.com/HpnDaKmJyL

— Starlink (@Starlink) December 23, 2025

Expanding Global Footprint

In an official post on X (formerly Twitter), Starlink confirmed the 9 million figure and highlighted that its service now reaches customers across 155 countries, territories, and markets. This expansive coverage reflects SpaceX’s push to bring high-speed broadband to both underserved rural regions and developing markets where traditional internet infrastructure is limited or unavailable. 

Starlink President Gwynne Shotwell also marked the achievement on X, thanking customers and celebrating the team’s efforts in scaling the service rapidly. 

BREAKING: SpaceX has announced that @Starlink now has over 9 million customers, up from 8M in November and 7M in August 2025.

Starlink added a record 21,275 new customers on average per day since they hit 8M, smashing their previous record of 14,250. That growth rate is a… pic.twitter.com/AqqgERUkMh

— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) December 23, 2025

A Fast-Growing Connectivity Platform

Starlink’s growth trajectory over the past year has been nothing short of remarkable. At the end of 2024, Starlink reported approximately 4.6 million users, which grew to around 7 million by August 2025, then 8 million in November, and now surpassed 9 million in December, all within a single calendar year. 

This unusually steep adoption curve underscores the increasing global demand for reliable internet connectivity, especially in regions with limited terrestrial broadband options. Satellite internet has become a viable alternative for rural homes, maritime users, NGOs, and enterprises in markets where laying fiber is costly or prohibitively slow. 

Strategic Importance and Future Outlook

Starlink has become a key revenue and growth engine for SpaceX, with Elon Musk noting that its recurring subscriber income is by far the largest contributor to the company’s business, surpassing even its rocket launch operations. 
Business Insider

Looking ahead, Starlink is also preparing to expand into additional connectivity services, such as direct-to-cell broadband and mobile integration partnerships, which could accelerate growth even further. Analysts have speculated that this expanding user base and rising revenue may support a future Starlink-specific IPO or increased investor interest.