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Starlink, a satellite internet service offered using SpaceX low Earth orbit satellites, has revolutionised broadband connectivity by providing low-latency, high-speed internet on a global scale. Using a network of satellites, it offers reliable internet access even in remote areas where traditional options fall short.
This guide explains how this technology works, its benefits and limitations, and its costs and suitability for different users, including homes, businesses, and travellers. Read on to explore whether this service is right for you.
What Exactly Does Starlink Do?
It uses a constellation of thousands of low-Earth orbiting satellites that transmit high-speed, low-latency broadband internet across the planet, offering high-speed internet in locations that previously had no reliable options.
How Does Starlink Work?
Most satellite internet services obtain signals from a single geostationary satellite orbiting around 35,678 km above the Earth. They work by beaming internet data via radio signals through the vacuum of space between the broadcasting station that sends data to the satellite. Then, the satellite beams them back to your receiving dish. The distance those radio signals have to travel means a significant latency time, making streaming videos difficult or impossible, especially when you don’t have a direct line of sight from your dish to the satellite. Latency times are typically between 450 and 700 milliseconds.
Starlink works differently. Instead of a single high-orbit satellite, it uses a network of thousands of smaller low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites launched by SpaceX at only about 550km above the planet.
It reduces the latency time to between 25 and 60 milliseconds, making it possible to stream and game online without annoying delays. The thousands of satellites are all linked, so there should almost always be a satellite in your line of sight, reducing the possibility of downtime.
How Is Starlink Different From WiFi?
Wi-Fi simply means wireless internet. It’s sometimes used to refer to wireless broadband internet from satellites or ground stations that transmit internet wirelessly to your home. It is more often used when referring to a router that uses wireless technology on a more local scale, but the internet itself may come from cable, fibre optics, or wireless broadband.
Starlink uses satellites to transmit wireless signals to your receiver, which you then connect to a Wi-Fi router to deliver internet wirelessly anywhere in your home.
How Does Starlink Connect to Your House?
Connecting a system to your house is very easy. Simply mount the dish outdoors with a clear view of the northern sky. It will come with a long cable to connect your dish to the Wi-Fi router, which you will place in a central location in your home. Then, connect your phones, tablets, computers, TVs, etc, to your Wi-Fi router.
Internet data is first transmitted from ground stations to the LEO satellites when you use it. From there, your dish transmits signals back and forth to satellites rapidly passing overhead. They use a phased array that connects from one satellite to the next simultaneously to ensure uninterrupted connections, depending on your location.
When you request a connection (e.g., to stream a video), it is routed through your dish to the LEO, which transmits it to the ground station, back to the LEO array, and back to your dish. With low latency times in the 20 – 50ms range, you can stream videos without the annoying delays seen with high-orbit satellites.
You can power your system with household electricity or the EcoFlow DELTA 3 (1500), which you can charge with solar panels for a cheaper and eco-friendly option. It comes with 1536Wh of capacity, enough to run high-performance systems for over 24 hours. Depending on how many watts your household uses, you can also use it as a backup energy source in case of outages caused by storms or wildfires.
If unsure, calculate your kWh usage by adding up how much energy each of your essential appliances uses and multiply it by how long that appliance runs. If you want a whole-home backup or even an off-grid energy solution, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 starts at 4000W and can easily be expanded to 12kWh.
How Fast Is Starlink?
Globally, the speeds are around 150 Mbps on average. However, that can vary significantly with location and other factors. In Australia, speeds typically range between 20 to 100 Mbps, with latency times between 25 and 50 ms.
How Much Does Starlink Cost?
The costs vary with your location and the type of plan you have. Below, we outline some residential internet, business, and mobile services plans.
However, another cost to consider is the energy the system uses. A simple Wi-Fi router uses power, but with this system, the dish that connects to satellites also draws power. If you have any physical obstructions or bad weather, your dish must reconnect with those satellites and use more power.
To reduce the cost of operating your system, you can use an EcoFlow Portable Power Station. You can charge your power station with solar panels during the day for a free, renewable energy solution and store that energy in its built-in battery to provide power at night, during bad weather, or during power outages so you can always stay connected.
Starlink Internet
Standard plans for residential internet in Australia will cost you $139 per month for unlimited data. There is also a one-time fee of $599 to purchase the hardware.
Starlink Business
The business plan comes in three different package options. The cheapest plan is $176/mo for 40GB of priority data. For medium-sized businesses with 5-6 users, the $374/mo plan offers 1TB of priority data. Larger businesses with 10-20 users would be best served by their 2TB priority data plan at $748/mo. All plans come with additional unlimited standard data and will require a one-time equipment purchase of around $2,500. Additional plans are also available for mobile companies.
Starlink RV
This plan is designed for those who travel in caravans, camper trailers, and RVs. These plans cost around $80 monthly plus a one-time equipment purchase of $599.
How Does Bad Weather Affect Starlink?
The phased array antenna allows it to track satellites efficiently, helping to prevent signal interruptions. While it is designed to resist extreme cold and heat, sleet, rain, and winds, bad weather can still affect it. For instance, heavy, particularly dense, moist storm clouds can degrade the signal. Strong winds should not be an issue, provided the dish is adequately secured and mounted. During winter, the dish has a heating function that will prevent ice build-up and melt snow, but exceptionally heavy snow may require manual removal.
Does Rain Affect Starlink?
While light rain shouldn’t cause any issues, a heavy downpour can degrade signal quality, especially due to the thick and dense clouds accompanying that rain. The more moisture in the air, the higher the chances that the radio signals travelling back and forth between the satellites could get blocked. It can also be problematic in heavy fog for similar reasons.
Where Is Starlink Available?
Their internet services are available in over 100 countries worldwide, and this number has been increasing yearly. It is available in most major countries, including 100% of Australia, parts of Asia, and most of Europe and the Americas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some significant downsides include a higher upfront cost to purchase the hardware and generally higher monthly costs than other providers and speeds that cannot rival fibre optics. It is also susceptible to particularly bad weather.
No, 5G is generally faster, but it does depend entirely on your 5G service. Good 5G coverage means higher download speeds and lower latency. However, in areas with poor or no 5G coverage, Starlink is a much faster choice than cellular coverage.
Final Thoughts
Starlink offers an innovative way to access the internet, especially in remote areas, with speeds and reliability easily rivalling traditional broadband. While it comes with higher upfront costs and potential weather-related challenges, its capabilities make it a viable solution for homes, businesses, and mobile users.
Pairing it with EcoFlow Portable Power Station ensures uninterrupted connectivity and reduces energy costs, and you can use it at home or on an adventure in your caravan deep in the outback. Then you can go out and stay connected no matter where you are!