Starlink initial query

[IguanaSwim]

Hi there, I leave from VA for Antigua on Nov 1. I am hoping to purchase and set up starlink for use in the Caribbean this winter.

I’m told that what cruisers buy is an RV package. Further that there’s a backlog. I’m clueless as to what service to sign up for.

Any hints appreciated.

Much obliged.

Brian

[sailorboy1]

you sign up for the roam package and when outside a service hex (like underway) you toggle on priority data service if you want

don't over think it

[SailingHarmonie]

The RV plans as formally named are no more...

First, the hardware. The “Dishy” standard mobile antenna works fine and is allowed by Starlink even when moving as long as you are moving at typical sailboat speeds ( less than 10 knots-- or is it 10 MPH?). It is also preferred for it’s much lower power draw. So $600 for hardware. Sine it is not designed for the kind of wind loadings you would see on a vehicle moving at highway speeds if you use it while moving, your warranty will be voided. If you NEED higher performance, with no drop outs, then you might need to spring for the for the high performance antenna at $2500

The “Roam” plans cover the parts of the world that are under either the light or dark blue hexagons in Starlink’s coverage map. Regional Roam ($150 US Price) while you are in your “home” continent, Global Roam ($200 US Price) when you stray further afield. Switching between these plans can be done on a monthly basis.

Also, either of the ROAM plans can be “paused” from the terminal for a month at a time if not required. All Starlink user agreements are month to month, with no long term commitment required. Of course, that means Starlink can change terms any month they want to as well.

For offshore passages, toggle on “Priority Global Data” for $2/GB when outside the “land hexagons,” and be billed for actual usage until you turn it off again. This is IN ADDITION to the monthly bill for the Roam Plan then in use. Do not forget to turn it off. $2/GB adds up in a hurry...

If you leave the area covered by your plan, even if cut off from an internet connection, you still have the ability to change your plan through the terminal to get back online.

The Roam plans have the lowest-of-the-low data priority when it comes to local availability of bandwidth. The ONLY time I have heard about that being an issue was at one point in Sint Marrtin last year when there were a record number of cruise ships in port with over 30,000 people added to the local user base. Many of the small boat cruisers lost connection completely for a time. There was a LOT of whining... In an emergency you could always bump up to Global Priority Data for $2/GB

[UFO]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

The RV plans as formally named are no more...

First, the hardware. The “Dishy” standard mobile antenna works fine and is allowed by Starlink even when moving as long as you are moving at typical sailboat speeds ( less than 10 knots-- or is it 10 MPH?). It is also preferred for it’s much lower power draw. So $600 for hardware. Sine it is not designed for the kind of wind loadings you would see on a vehicle moving at highway speeds if you use it while moving, your warranty will be voided. If you NEED higher performance, with no drop outs, then you might need to spring for the for the high performance antenna at $2500

The “Roam” plans cover the parts of the world that are under either the light or dark blue hexagons in Starlink’s coverage map. Regional Roam ($150 US Price) while you are in your “home” continent, Global Roam ($200 US Price) when you stray further afield. Switching between these plans can be done on a monthly basis.

Also, either of the ROAM plans can be “paused” from the terminal for a month at a time if not required. All Starlink user agreements are month to month, with no long term commitment required. Of course, that means Starlink can change terms any month they want to as well.

For offshore passages, toggle on “Priority Global Data” for $2/GB when outside the “land hexagons,” and be billed for actual usage until you turn it off again. This is IN ADDITION to the monthly bill for the Roam Plan then in use. Do not forget to turn it off. $2/GB adds up in a hurry...

If you leave the area covered by your plan, even if cut off from an internet connection, you still have the ability to change your plan through the terminal to get back online.

The Roam plans have the lowest-of-the-low data priority when it comes to local availability of bandwidth. The ONLY time I have heard about that being an issue was at one point in Sint Marrtin last year when there were a record number of cruise ships in port with over 30,000 people added to the local user base. Many of the small boat cruisers lost connection completely for a time. There was a LOT of whining... In an emergency you could always bump up to Global Priority Data for $2/GB

I am in Australia - It states on the Starlink site a Roam Plan and a Mobility plan.


Mobility Plan:
"Starlink Mobility provides 100% coverage in your country and every country where Starlink service is available across the globe. Plans can also be used on the ocean, with connectivity available in the vast majority of the Earth's oceans and seas."


"High speed global internet, up to 220 Mbps download, for critical in motion applications. Starting at A$399/mo with a one-time hardware fee of A$3,740. Try for 30 days with a guaranteed full refund on hardware."


I can't see any mention of the Cost Per GB when at sea, so is this plan a simple Au$399 P/M for wherever you are or is the word Starting at $399 P/M hiding all the real costs? Can't find any further info on the site.

[SV Confianza]

From the itinerary, Salt Dawg rally? We are joining as well.

We are just hooking up our Starlink. Got the larger (more expensive) dish. We will be heading to the Virgin Islands and to Puerto Rico, both are places that Starlink has regular coverage, and we don't need to use the super expensive plan.

Antigua doesn't have regular coverage yet, so you need the expensive mobile priority one (or whatever it's called now).

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. This thing keeps changing...

[UFO]

Originally Posted by UFO

I am in Australia - It states on the Starlink site a Roam Plan and a Mobility plan.


Mobility Plan:
"Starlink Mobility provides 100% coverage in your country and every country where Starlink service is available across the globe. Plans can also be used on the ocean, with connectivity available in the vast majority of the Earth's oceans and seas."


"High speed global internet, up to 220 Mbps download, for critical in motion applications. Starting at A$399/mo with a one-time hardware fee of A$3,740. Try for 30 days with a guaranteed full refund on hardware."


I can't see any mention of the Cost Per GB when at sea, so is this plan a simple Au$399 P/M for wherever you are or is the word Starting at $399 P/M hiding all the real costs? Can't find any further info on the site.

Ahh Found the following hidden away....


Available in 50GB, 1TB, and 5TB Mobile Priority Data plans.
Designed for high demand, maritime, and in-motion users who want global access across land and ocean. Best for uses such as cruises, shipping, sailing, emergency response, and mobile businesses.
Mobile Priority Data - Mobile Priority Data is given network precedence over Standard and Mobile Data, meaning users will experience faster and more consistent download and upload speeds, especially during times of peak usage. Upon exhausting your set Mobile Priority Data amount in a given month, behavior of the service will depend on where Starlink is being used:

• Inland coverage (including lakes and rivers) - You will receive unlimited Mobile Data for the remainder of the month, which will result in slower speeds and degradation of bandwidth intensive applications during times of network congestion compared to customers with Mobile Priority Data. In-motion use for Mobile Data is limited to less than 10mph.
• Ocean - You will be unable to connect to the internet except to access your Starlink account (on starlink.com or via the Starlink app), where you are able to purchase additional Mobile Priority Data or upgrade your service plan in order to reconnect to the internet.

So my next question is what delineates Ocean Coverage? Is simply being in a boat anchored just off the coast Ocean? or is there a bit of leeway there? How about islands offshore as well?

[SailingHarmonie]

With Starlink there are three kinds of data. "Normal data" is for accounts that work at a fixed address, this is of no interest to us.

"Roaming" with is a low priority data that allows movement, and the Roaming plans come with unlimited "roaming" data. (The roaming plans come in Regional and Global flavors) BUT Roaming Data does not work away from the "land hexagons" of coverage in the Starlink maps. If you have a "Roam" plan you can buy Global Priority data on an ad hoc basis.

"Global Priority" is the highest priority in the competition for bandwidth, and it works anywhere.

Be REALLY careful of the "Mobility" plans. For some people they might work well, but for the majority of cruisers they come with a serious "gotcha". They include 50GB of Global Priority data a month, then drop back to standard Roaming data, with all of its limitations.The first 50GB of data you use each month is your Global Priority data, no matter where you are. If you spend the first two weeks of your month at anchor or at the dock and use 80GB of data, then go offshore, you have NO Global Priority data left, and you have to buy more at US$2/GB, or go without.

This is how Starlink works in the USA market. There will be differences in pricing in OZ, but I doubt the policies are significantly different.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by UFO

Ahh Found the following hidden away....


Available in 50GB, 1TB, and 5TB Mobile Priority Data plans.
Designed for high demand, maritime, and in-motion users who want global access across land and ocean. Best for uses such as cruises, shipping, sailing, emergency response, and mobile businesses.
Mobile Priority Data - Mobile Priority Data is given network precedence over Standard and Mobile Data, meaning users will experience faster and more consistent download and upload speeds, especially during times of peak usage. Upon exhausting your set Mobile Priority Data amount in a given month, behavior of the service will depend on where Starlink is being used:

• Inland coverage (including lakes and rivers) - You will receive unlimited Mobile Data for the remainder of the month, which will result in slower speeds and degradation of bandwidth intensive applications during times of network congestion compared to customers with Mobile Priority Data. In-motion use for Mobile Data is limited to less than 10mph.
• Ocean - You will be unable to connect to the internet except to access your Starlink account (on starlink.com or via the Starlink app), where you are able to purchase additional Mobile Priority Data or upgrade your service plan in order to reconnect to the internet.

So my next question is what delineates Ocean Coverage? Is simply being in a boat anchored just off the coast Ocean? or is there a bit of leeway there? How about islands offshore as well?

From someone in Oz who has used it for 12mths away from land
Just buy the roam package for $175/MTH (approx)
When you have no signal toggle on the $3/GB (approx) data
When you approach land toggle off

Ocean is black - land is blue
Look at the map
https://www.starlink.com/map

[UFO]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

With Starlink there are three kinds of data. "Normal data" is for accounts that work at a fixed address, this is of no interest to us.

"Roaming" with is a low priority data that allows movement, and the Roaming plans come with unlimited "roaming" data. (The roaming plans come in Regional and Global flavors) BUT Roaming Data does not work away from the "land hexagons" of coverage in the Starlink maps. If you have a "Roam" plan you can buy Global Priority data on an ad hoc basis.

"Global Priority" is the highest priority in the competition for bandwidth, and it works anywhere.

Be REALLY careful of the "Mobility" plans. For some people they might work well, but for the majority of cruisers they come with a serious "gotcha". They include 50GB of Global Priority data a month, then drop back to standard Roaming data, with all of its limitations.The first 50GB of data you use each month is your Global Priority data, no matter where you are. If you spend the first two weeks of your month at anchor or at the dock and use 80GB of data, then go offshore, you have NO Global Priority data left, and you have to buy more at US$2/GB, or go without.

This is how Starlink works in the USA market. There will be differences in pricing in OZ, but I doubt the policies are significantly different.

Thanks - Global Roam looks like the best option and I take it you can use the cheaper hardware for this?


Any Idea what the price difference is for Global Roam over normal? - Can't seem to find it on their site

[IguanaSwim]

Wow a trove of info.
Am grateful.
Am aboard Lorena.
Brian

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by UFO

Thanks - Global Roam looks like the best option and I take it you can use the cheaper hardware for this?


Any Idea what the price difference is for Global Roam over normal? - Can't seem to find it on their site

Are you going global?
If not you don't need it

Price difference $174 vs $300 aud

[UFO]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Are you going global?
If not you don't need it

Price difference $174 vs $300 aud

Yes we will be going global next year

[SV Confianza]

Originally Posted by UFO

So my next question is what delineates Ocean Coverage? Is simply being in a boat anchored just off the coast Ocean? or is there a bit of leeway there? How about islands offshore as well?

Check out the coverage map: https://www.starlink.com/map

You can see that there is a lot of standard coastal coverage without needing mobile priority.