With people traveling in RVs or boats and yachts, having reliable internet is becoming a necessity since people cannot be confined to their offices all the time. Whether it is checking emails, navigating the route, streaming movies or TV-shows, or calling relatives, connectivity became a vital necessity for a mobile generation.
Starlink should do that through its satellite-based high-speed broadband internet service that it has been developing for RVs, boats, and other vehicles. Starlink claims to deliver download speeds between 50-200 Mbps, low latency for keeping video calls and gameplay seamless, and the capacity to connect numerous devices at a time while on the road off-grid.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX and based on over 2000 satellites in low Earth orbit. Starlink is an internet provider that uses satellites in the geosynchronous orbit, so, unlike other providers that utilize more distant satellites with higher latency and slower connection speeds, Starlink uses a constellation of satellites located closer to Earth and providing broadband connection.
It now offers coverage to most of the northern hemisphere with SpaceX continuing to launch more satellites to make the service accessible worldwide in the coming years.
Starlink for RVs and Boats
Starlink, however, commenced offering RV and portability service in May 2022 following the beta run. This is a specialized version of its home-based offering meant to give internet connections on the road anywhere in the country in RVs, boats, trucks, and other work-from-home environments.
The Starlink itself, the price, and the customer service are quite similar to the standard Starlink packages offered for residential use, but there is one significant difference – the service is not available on an ongoing subscription basis; it can be paused and resumed as desired. This provides the RVers or the mariners an opportunity to only pay for the months he or she requires connectivity, in essence, one can cancel the service when not in use for a long period of time.
Starlink Hardware
To access Starlin’s high-speed satellite internet, you need Starlink’s proprietary equipment:To access Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet, you need Starlink’s proprietary equipment:
- Mobile terminal – A compact and light-weighted satellite terminal that is capable of orienting itself towards the constellation through direction finding as the user moves.
- Starlink router – This one is helpful in connecting wijifi to make all the devices in the house be connected to the internet. Has a range of about 200 feet it should be noted that the laser range finder only has a range of about 200 feet.
- Accessories – Cables to connect all the cables like power cables and Ethernet cables for powering everything and mounting hardware to install the antenna on a roof or railing. Used to construct structures that are capable of withstanding hurricane force wind of over 100 mph.
The equipment is priced at $599 and the monthly service fee is $135 as of recent for the US. Of course, there are no limitations on the amount of traffic for a certain period of time or any long-term agreements.
Performance for Recreation Vehicles and Boats
The satellites that Starlink has in low-Earth orbit provide the users the broadband speeds for HD video streaming, video calls, online gaming, and normal browsing. Customers often get download speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 200 Mbps and latency of approximately 20-40 ms allowing them to do activities such as Zoom meetings, or gaming without hitches.
Although speed ranges from region to region and from high traffic hours to low traffic hours, all the minimum speeds given are sufficient for basic internet usage that entails web browsing, email and messaging, and music downloads. As the network adds more capacity, reliable 100+ Mbps connection rates are anticipated as well, on.
Trusted sources of information and their reliability.
While RVs are always moving between two areas, boats are often obstructed by seas, hills, buildings, etc., from getting a clear view of geosynchronous satellites, the constant coverage and speed provided by Starlink is a breath of fresh air in comparison to trying to work with cell signals or dealing with lag from geosynchronous satellite internet.
Set Up and Portability
Starlink’s RV service is also uniquely convenient when it comes to how fast and painless it is to get set up. This leads to the five-to-ten-minute mark where users claim to be able to have their full system up and running.
Required space is any area that has an unobstructed view of the sky, where the foldable antenna is set up, connect cables between antenna and router, turn on the equipment to join. This uncomplex method of configuring the broadband makes the connection simple and easy when one arrives at a new destination.
The entire equipment and setup only weigh 19 lbs at most, making it fairly easy to move around between vehicles and boats or even transport inland if parking is done for a while. The hardware is designed to work in a given environment having a wind speed of up to 100 mph and temperature ranging between -30° to +50°C.
Service Area and Waitlist
The RV service was launched in mid-2022 and its popularity is quite evident after registering over 140,000 pre-orders with very long waiting lists. In coverage, it depends on where Starlin has support from satellites that are already in place, and therefore, availability is based on your location.
As of this writing, regions with new orders are expected to receive estimates between March to June before getting their kit; regions include Western United States, Canada, and most of Europe. Waits are until the end of 2022 for east coast US and various other locations, and longer, up to late 2023. These are basically the time delays that are associated with the launching of satellites by Starlink over the areas concerned. Some regions also get to order capacity or reach saturation, thereby shutting their doors to new RVs.
The status of your order is locked in queue, for this you can pre-order with deposit of $100 but full payment is not taken until shipment. This is because even the fulfillment duration has not ceased being stretched further and so it is recommended that orders should be placed in advance. However, Starlink also has a similar requirement where users must submit a valid service address on file that matches the shipping address in order to prevent RV users from ordering for non-RV homes.
When traveling internationally, coverage and service differs:
- US & Canada – Can use for domestic purposes and also for both countries as it is fully functional.
- Mexico/Central & South Americas – Coverage technically exists but is not offered since the service is not available. Dishy can connect but it will be immediately disconnected.
- Europe – Currently, it is in beta only for the recreational maritime sector on board ships primarily operating in coastal environments. Cannot use on land.
- Asia Pacific – Has 10% of the market but no current coverage in this region other locations – Has 10% of the market but no current coverage in the rest of the world.
As global support continues to grow more equally, Starlink hopes to enable the RVs globally to roam freely. But for now, availability is still quite patchy, and that is why the concept of location-based services has largely remained a concept for so long.
Other Mobile Satellite Options
Starlink is considerably better performing compared to the previous generations of satellite internet services, but it is not your only way to connect while on the move in 2023. Depending on your travel routes and antenna mounting capabilities, you may wish to also consider:
- Mobile Wi-Fi modems – Directly dependent on a cell tower so the quality is highly unpredictable. However, unlimited data hotspot plans are faithful to lighter needs. Extremely portable.
- Other satellite services around the world such as Kacific Broadband Satellites offer maritime coverage solutions. Other newcomers also plan to start satellite deployment within the following years, such as OneWeb and Project Kuiper.
- Antennas that are used in satellite television networks are DISH tailgater which provides free news, local channels, and sports through satellite. Ideal when one wants to stream live programs/events/news. Requires clear southern exposure.
Hence, most of the RVers have to combine solutions such as cell signal boosters for when there is LTE coverage, using an LTE hotspot where available, and satellite connectivity depending on location. And boaters are adopting different levels of radio equipment such as SSB radios for marine communication, marine WiFi extender systems, and satellite solutions meant for inland/coastal waterways or ocean.
Starlink Benefits and Considerations for RVs and Boats
To make the most out of Starlink for recreational vehicles and vessels, keep these tips in mind:
- Order ahead – Staking a place in line may also work better these days as the waiting times are increasing. Factor equipment shipping too.
- Scout setup spots – Before arriving, seek and scan campsite/marina for an open area that can be easily mounted on and is 100% free from any obstacles to ensure the dish gets optimal connectivity.
- Wifi booster – For bigger RVs or for boats with more than one room, one should install a mesh or a wifi extender to offer a strong Wi-Fi all over the interior of the vehicle.
- Spend efficiently – be wise about big downloads/updates. Turn off the device or get in the vehicle and park in areas with no high speed or set the device’s settings to reduce background app access/data updates.
- Be aware - Track the plan usage by the data provided in the Starlink app and consider changing the high bandwidth activity if the amount of used data is frequently over 100 GB per month when reprioritization can be applied during congestion.
- Take breaks where possible - This is where the RV plan from Starlink comes in handy by temporarily disconnecting the service whenever not in need of full-time internet connection while in a given location.
While Starlink continues improving coverage and increasing throughput of satellite constellations, their revolutionary portable satellite internet system rises to meet the contemporary need for uninterrupted connectivity. Where the establishment built cumbersome and expensive solutions, the newcomers introduced high-speed internet at low cost for life on-the-go.
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