5 Things You Need To Know About Starlink Satellite Internet

Living in rural areas internet options are limited and thats why I chose Starlink not only as a Digital marketer but also as a satisfied customer. Here are the five Important things you should know about Starlink satellite internet.

1. What is Starlink?

Starlink is a satellite internet service provided by SpaceX the company owned by Elon Musk. Unlike traditional internet providers that use cables Starlink delivers broadband speeds almost anywhere in the world by using low Earth orbit satellites system. as you know These satellites communicate with an end user terminal also called a “dish” which sends and receives data from a ground station connected to the wider internet.

This makes Starlink ideal for connecting people in remote areas such as farms mountains boats and even airplanes you can easily use.

2. Starlink Availability and Coverage

Starlink is available across North America including Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, much of Europe, large parts of Asia, and Australia as well. Its a solution especially beneficial in areas lacking traditional internet infrastructure. As long as there are no legal restrictions Starlink can be used almost anywhere.

3. Starlink Pricing and Setup Costs

When setting up Starlink there are two main costs to keep in mind:

1. Initial Setup: This includes the dish router cables and mounting hardware (roof mounts pole mounts etc.
2. Monthly Subscription: Starlink operates on a no-contract basis allowing you to pay month-to-month. While prices have slightly increased since I started using the service they have remained steady at $120 per month for over a year.

Special Plans: If you are looking for more robust connectivity such as for a business or while on the move (e.g. in a vehicle or on a boat) Starlink offers business and mobile plans. However these plans come at a significantly higher cost compared to the residential plan.

4. Starlink Speeds and Latency

• Download Speeds: North America you can expect speeds of 100 Mbps or more with upload speeds of at least 20 Mbps or more.
• Tested Speeds: In my experience I have observed download speeds exceeding 250 Mbps and upload speeds as high as 50 Mbps. The service has shown continuous improvement in speed and performance over time.

Latency: One important aspect of internet speed is latency how quickly the data travels to and from the satellite. In Starlinks case the latency is about 30 milliseconds which is sufficient for video calling live streaming and even most online gaming without noticeable lag.

5. Starlink Hardware and New Upgrades

Since 2022 Starlinks dish has been mostly rectangular with a large bulge at the back containing motors for repositioning. However since 2024 Starlink has released a new version 4 dish with a slimmer profile and improved design.

This model removes the motors making it more resistant to high winds and offering better performance. It also includes a new Wi-Fi 6 router for faster speeds and mesh capabilities as well as Ethernet expansion ports for more connectivity options.

Whether you have the older version or the new version 4 the service has continually improved. The hardware change does provide a noticeable speed bump and reduced latency but for users on the older equipment the upgrade may not be essential unless you want to experience the full benefits.

Starlink Plans and Pricing Breakdown

Plan Type	Download Speed	Upload Speed	Monthly Cost	Hardware Cost
Residential	100-250 Mbps	20-50 Mbps	$120/month	$499 (one-time)
Business	100-500 Mbps	20-100 Mbps	$500/month	Varies (higher)
Mobile	50-250 Mbps	20-50 Mbps	Varies (higher)	Varies (higher)

Is Starlink Right for You?

While Starlink may not be the ideal solution for those in areas with access to traditional internet cable fiber etc. it offers an essential service for those in remote locations where infrastructure is lacking. With its flexibility reliability and continuous improvements Starlink has proven itself to be a viable option for both personal and business needs.