Starlink

[OuiRPSU]

Anyone use Starlink for their internet service? I live in a rural area and am paying almost $90/month for 10mbps download speeds (80-90% of the time I get this). I just received an email saying that Starlink is finally available in my area, but I only have seven days to place my order or lose my place in line (I reserved my order like 3 years ago). I know the equipment is expensive ($500), and it’s $120 per month for the service. I’m so tempted to do it, but I don’t know if I can pull the trigger at those prices. Any advices for me?

 

[PSU87]

Anyone use Starlink for their internet service? I live in a rural area and am paying almost $90/month for 10mbps download speeds (80-90% of the time I get this). I just received an email saying that Starlink is finally available in my area, but I only have seven days to place my order or lose my place in line (I reserved my order like 3 years ago). I know the equipment is expensive ($500), and it’s $120 per month for the service. I’m so tempted to do it, but I don’t know if I can pull the trigger at those prices. Any advices for me?

My only piece of wisdom comes from trying to put internet on commercial aircraft.

Looks like Starlink is using both Ka and Ku bands. Ka gives you higher bandwidth at the expense of bad rain fade. My guess would be that during bad weather they switch to Ku band and your speeds are gonna plummet. During good weather you should be pretty happy. I was on a test flight running our Ka band system, running phone, tablet and laptop and could barely tell the difference between the plane and the ground.

 

[NittPicker]

I was in the same boat and got Starlink about a month ago. My old DSL service required a landline and delivered a whopping 2 mbps. Thanks for nothing Verizon. It sucked balls but it was my only option. I've since cancelled the landline which cost me about $102/month.

Before I typed this I ran a speed test and Starlink was delivering 60 mbps. It's usually a bit lower than that but sometimes it's higher. Bad weather may slow it down a bit but not to the point where you lose it. I haven't had any problems with streaming and get good pictures but obviously it's not 1080p quality. As more satellites get launched it should get even better.

All in all I have no complaints about Starlink at this point. My monthly cost is slightly higher but the service is better too. The up front cost may be a bit steep for some but when it's by far the best option, you do what you have to do.

 

[Ghost of OM]

Several of my family members live in very rural PA and have Starlink as their only option. From what I have heard, they are very happy with the speed and reliability. My nieces husband is a remote IT guy and it even provides enough bandwidth for him to do what he needs to service his clients. I’d say do it if you can get it.

 

[Auxgym]

I was in the same boat and got Starlink about a month ago. My old DSL service required a landline and delivered a whopping 2 mbps. Thanks for nothing Verizon. It sucked balls but it was my only option. I've since cancelled the landline which cost me about $102/month.

Before I typed this I ran a speed test and Starlink was delivering 60 mbps. It's usually a bit lower than that but sometimes it's higher. Bad weather may slow it down a bit but not to the point where you lose it. I haven't had any problems with streaming and get good pictures but obviously it's not 1080p quality. As more satellites get launched it should get even better.

All in all I have no complaints about Starlink at this point. My monthly cost is slightly higher but the service is better too. The up front cost may be a bit steep for some but when it's by far the best option, you do what you have to do.

Are you able to turn the Starlink service on and off as you please? I live in a rural area 6 or 7 months out of the year.

 

[OuiRPSU]

Are you able to turn the Starlink service on and off as you please? I live in a rural area 6 or 7 months out of the year.

I looked through their FAQs and don’t think so.

 

[kevinol]

Anyone use Starlink for their internet service? I live in a rural area and am paying almost $90/month for 10mbps download speeds (80-90% of the time I get this). I just received an email saying that Starlink is finally available in my area, but I only have seven days to place my order or lose my place in line (I reserved my order like 3 years ago). I know the equipment is expensive ($500), and it’s $120 per month for the service. I’m so tempted to do it, but I don’t know if I can pull the trigger at those prices. Any advices for me?

I live in Kodiak , Alaska and have a remote property on Afognak Island, cabin and out buildings. I ordered the Starlink system last year so I could have internet at the cabin primarily for news and marine weather. I will start by saying the actual service when up and running is amazingly good. The customer service is abysmal. It's almost impossible to get a human being unless they deign to call you back. All contact is through email. I had a problem initializing my service and had one hell of a time resolving the issue. Simple diagnosis and solution but nuts trying to get help.
Once up and working the service works well and I'm impressed because they have far fewer satelites covering our latitude, 58 degrees than you would have in the lower 48. You can suspend and pick up again but because of their service problems it's a frustrating adventure that can be overcome, not easily.

 

[OuiRPSU]

Are you able to turn the Starlink service on and off as you please? I live in a rural area 6 or 7 months out of the year.

Well, apparently you can. See the reply above.