Mobile Satellite Internet
Another hot topic in the mobile internet world lately is Starlink – the satellite broadband division of SpaceX, an Elon Musk founded company. Unlike current geostationary satellite internet options, Starlink utilizes a constellation of low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites that is intended to provide redundant, high-speed, low-latency, global internet coverage in the future.
The advantage of having satellites at lower orbits is that they are physically close enough to users on the ground to provide fast low-latency communications rivaling 4G and 5G cellular speeds.
Will Starlink Work for RVers?
Some RVers and cruisers are already dreaming of ditching their cellular plans and gear, hoping that Starlink will be able to deliver on the dream of coverage everywhere they go.
And in the future, Starlink will likely make satellite a viable component of an RVers mobile internet setup, perhaps even a primary way online for many.
There will be challenges for RVers using Starlink however, at least initially; including equipment, coverage, clear open sky requirements and potential congestion issues in populated areas.
There will simply be places where Starlink will not be ideal because local terrain, trees or buildings blocking view of the passing over satellites, or there is not enough capacity in an area. Cellular will likely remain a strong component of a mobile internet setup for most RVers, even as Starlink is fully deployed and mobile.
While Starlink has filed for systems that can be used while in motion, that is not yet approved by the FCC – but once there is adequate nationwide coverage, most RVers will likely be content with just being able to dynamically change their service address as they setup in new locations.
Availability and Pricing of Starlink
The Starlink system is still currently being launched into orbit and there should be minimal nationwide coverage & capacity by the end of 2021.
A public beta-test began rolling out in late October of 2020 in northern areas for fixed (non-mobile) location applications, and the area included in the beta is slowly expanding southward as the constellation fills out.
The Starlink user terminal (packaged with a basic tripod mount and a companion indoor Wi-Fi router) costs $499. Monthly fixed residential subscription costs are set at $99/mo, and currently allow for unlimited data. What we don’t know yet is if mobile systems and service will have similar pricing.
For more information on mobile internet satellite, including our coverage on other competing LEO systems from OneWeb and Amazon, follow up at Mobile Satellite Internet Resouces.
There are a lot of exciting things happening in the mobile world. But both 5G and low-earth satellite technologies are still being developed and rolled out, so neither has reached their potential yet.
At the Mobile Internet Resource Center we are constantly tracking updates and developments on both and helping our audience decide when is the right time to jump onboard and plan their current mobile internet strategy with the future in mind.
[…] Xscaper’s Blog: 5G & Starlink- Emerging Mobile Internet Technologies […]