In Review: SpaceX Starlink (Satellite Internet)

Data through Starlink is both unlimited and unthrottled. 

The monthly subscription fee for access is $99/month.

The current Starlink FAQ promises “download speeds between 100 Mb/s and 200 Mb/s and latency as low as 20ms in most locations.”

That’s a shift from the pre-November 2021 site FAQ that told customers to “expect to see data speeds vary from 50Mb/s to 150Mb/s and latency from 20ms to 40ms in most locations.”

The improved speed and latency improvements match the experiences observed by many during Starlink beta testing.

But Starlink performance can vary a lot over the course of a day, and some people have reported signs of network congestion in populated areas.

On November 10th, 2021, SpaceX published images and a few details of a second-generation Starlink system design with a new rectangular "Dishy" receiver and revised indoor router and integrated power supply. 

Going forward - all new Starlink orders shipped in the United States will be getting the new smaller, lighter, and presumably much cheaper to manufacture rectangular Dishy version.

This second-generation Starlink receiver is notably rectangular in shape. It is smaller than the first generation dish, at 19" x 12". It weighs nearly 7 lbs less too - just 9.2 lbs.

Also new - the cord between the indoor router (which is now integrated into the power supply) and outdoor Dishy is now removable and replaceable.

The smaller size and removable cord should make it a lot easier to use Starlink in a portable fashion where you set up at each new location, though officially mobility is still not supported.

Starlink's second-generation indoor router does not come with a built-in Ethernet port. There is an Ethernet adapter available for purchase on the Starlink Shop ($20) to allow for a wired connection, if needed. If you need more than one Ethernet port, you can use an Ethernet switch or your own secondary router.

The price of the second-generation Starlink system remains unchanged at $499 for the hardware and $99/month for the unlimited data plan.

Dish Specs

• Dimensions: 19" x 12" (50 x 30 cm) 
• Weight (with cable): 9.2 lbs (4.2 kg)
• Height: 24" (61 cm)
• Mast diameter: 1.3" (3.4 cm)
• Operating Temperature: -22°F to +122°F (-30°C to +50°C)
• Outdoor use - IP54 rated
• Mounting:
  • Included tripod base dimensions: length 22" (55 cm), width 12.9" (32 cm), height 4.75" (12 cm)
  • Additional mounting options available in the Starlink Shop.

Router Specs

• IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards
• Dual band 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• 3x3, MU-MIMO Wi-Fi Antenna
• WPA2 and WPA3 security
• Operating Temperature: -22°F to +122°F (-30°C to +50°C)
• IP54 rated (water resistant), configured for indoor use
• Ethernet adapter available
• Power:
  • 6 ft (1.8 m) power cable

System Specs

• Power: Input: 100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz, 2.5A Max
  • Power supply integrated with Wi-Fi Router
• Cabling:
  • 75 ft (23 m) detachable proprietary power over ethernet cable between Starlink and router.
  • Additional cable lengths are available for purchase. 

In October 2020 Starlink rolled out a first-generation system that included a circular dish with a basic tripod mount and a companion indoor Wi-Fi router.

The first-generation system router has one Ethernet port labeled as AUX that may be used to connect wired devices (TVs, computers, smart devices, etc.). If you need more Ethernet ports, you can add an Ethernet switch.

The power supply is separate from the Starlink Wi-Fi router, and it is possible to use your own router without hooking the Starlink router up.

There are actually two nearly identical first-generation Starlink systems. The earliest units shipped have a black mast leg, and the newer systems have a grey leg. The only practical difference between these versions is power consumption - the grey-legged Starlink uses significantly less power.

Dish Specs

• Diameter: 23.2" (58.9 cm)
• Weight: 16 lbs (7.3 kg)
• Height: 25.4" (64.5 cm)
• Mast diameter: 1.4" (3.6 cm)
• Operating Temperature: -22°F to +122°F (-30°C to +50°C)
• Outdoor use - IP54 rated
• Mounting:
  • Tripod dimensions: length 11" (28 cm), height 4" (10 cm)
  • Additional mounting options available.

Router Specs

• IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards
• Dual band 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• 2x2, MU-MIMO Wi-Fi Antenna
• WPA2 and WPA3 security
• Operating Temperature: +32°F to +86°F (0°C to +30°C)
• Indoor use
• One Ethernet port
• Powering:
  • 6.5 ft (2 m) standard Cat5e cable between router and power supply
  • 6 ft (1.8 m) power cable

System Specs

• Power: 100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz, 2.5A Max
• Cabling:
  • 100 ft (30 m) attached power over ethernet cable between Starlink and power supply.

Starlink is available in an increasing number of countries around the world - including Canada and (as of October 2021) Mexico.

But Snowbirds from the United States and Canada should NOT plan on being able to take their Starlink receivers with them as they travel!

As noted in the Starlink FAQ, SpaceX is "not able to support moves to a different country" - likely because Starlink is being run as a legally independent subsidiary in each country where service has been enabled, and it just hasn't been worth it for SpaceX to figure out the legal gymnastics to allow roaming or moving device registrations.

This means that anyone hoping to get online via Starlink in Baja should plan on potentially needing to buy a dedicated Mexican Dish.

The same restrictions apply to moving between Canada and the USA as well.

In the future this restriction may be lifted - but for now Starlink is NOT suitable for international travelers.

In August 2021 (our news story) SpaceX filed with the FCC for permission to offer a new ruggedized "High Performance" Starlink receiver that is better suited for mobile installations, and better able to handle thermal extremes as well.

SpaceX even explicitly mentioned RVs deep in the filing:

"Users now require connectivity while on the move, whether driving an RV across the country, moving a freighter from Europe to a U.S. port, or while on a domestic or international flight."

Very limited details of just what is different in this "high performance" terminal have been made available - there are no pictures, dimensions, cost estimates, or mechanical specifications provided yet.

This is how SpaceX describes the new terminal:

“These high-performance (‘HP’) models will operate with higher gain and lower transmit power (thus maintaining a consistent EIRP compared to other SpaceX Services user terminals), a higher scan angle, and features that ruggedize the unit for use in harsh environments. ...

For example, it will be able to continue to operate at greater extremes of heat and cold, will have improved snow/ice melt capabilities, and will withstand a greater number of thermal cycles.”

There is as yet no indication of how long it will take to bring this new rugged Starlink to market once FCC approval is granted.

SpaceX did promise the FCC that it will only allow installation onto vehicles by "qualified installers", so self-install setups may not be an option.