Starlink has been live inDorset for over two , we’ve installed loads of Starlink systems over that time and thought it would be a good idea to give you a relatively impartial overview of the system and it’s strengths and weaknesses.
Starlink is Amazing!! . If you don’t it’s a high-speed satellite broadband service provided by Elon Musk’s SpaceX (https://spacex.com). The plan is to have 40,000 satellites are orbiting the earth at 8Km per second beaming internet to every corner of the globe that doesn’t have a tree in the way. Back on earth the signal is received by a Starlink dish attached to your property. Unlike previous generations of satellite broadband it’s actually usable!!
We have not had a complaint regarding service. Impressive.
If there wasn’t a huge tree in the way I’d have it at my house.
Is Starlink reliable?
Overwhelmingly yes! There have been a few occasions of outages, but these have been fairly short compared to getting Openreach out to repair a phone line.
What does it cost?
There is a downside to all of this lovely internet. Starlink isn’t cheap. launching 40,000 satellites is understandably expensive. Monthly subscriptions are currently £75 a month and they will charge you £45 for the very sleek looking dish and router. Then you’ll have to get it installed by a professional. (If you’re in Dorset we can help!)
Is it FAST?
Yes!!!
100-350Mbps download depending on which satellite is whizzing past. Latency of 30-40m/s which is good news for online gamers. Upload speeds are fairly respectable with a stable 20-30Mbps. Perfect for those long Zoom meetings we all love.
Pro’s
- 100-300 Mbps download speeds with the promise of 1.6Gbps in the future
- 20Mbps upload speed
- Lo-latency 20-40 m/s ping
- Fast broadband with no phone line
- No minimum contract date
- If there wasn’t a whacking great tree in the way I’d have it at my house
Cons
- Equipment costs
- Monthly cost
- Must have clear sight of north facing sky