Should you get marine satellite internet now or wait for things to “settle down?”

The last 12 months have seen more changes in the world of satellite internet than any time in the last 15 years. We’re seeing new options, higher speeds, and better deals than ever before. But should you be scared? Should you be worried that today’s expensive purchase will be obsolete next year?

I can understand the fear. If you’ve been buying technology for any period of time, chances are you’ve made a bad decision or two. Maybe you bought a brand new tablet the week before the iPad was announced. (Been there.) Maybe you overspent on a large touchscreen monitor because you thought you needed to. (Been there as well.) Considering the cost of satellite internet, is this just another case where you should stop and take a beat?

I say, it’s ok to jump in now, as long as you’re smart.

New players are coming onto the market all the time. One of the most exciting for many people is Starlink, the satellite internet service from Elon Musk. Musk needs no introduction obviously, and he’s known for creating positive disruptive change. Starlink internet uses a fleet of small satellites rather than one big one. This makes aiming and staying aimed a lot easier.

Still, Starlink shows no signs of being ready for the kind of movement that boats have 100% of the time. Starlink has recently been approved for in-motion use, but it’s not expected that there will be a marine version of the hardware for a while. As manufacturers like Intellian know, it takes more than just a repackaged stationary dish to live up to the rigors of life on a boat.

That’s why I say the smart move is still going with established hardware, and a service provider who understands the needs of boat owners. And luckily, I know just the one.

VSAT from Signal Connect

VSAT is high-speed internet designed from top to bottom for marine use. Start with Intellian’s smallest super-sensitive marine antennas. Add time-tested hardware. Top it all off with internet service from the world’s #1 satellite activation specialist. When you put it all together,you have a system you can trust to deliver what you need day in and day out. There may come a time in the future where a system like Starlink is just as reliable, but that day isn’t coming any time soon.

When you work with Signal Connect, you get one point of contact for everything. We take care of the hardware, equipment, and billing. We can even help recommend an installer in your area. If there’s a problem, there’s never finger pointing because you got everything you need from one place.

Signal Connect specializes in white-glove service. We know what it takes to please the most demanding marine customers. It takes someone who goes above and beyond. That’s what we do. We deliver marine satellite internet at a fair price, with proven equipment. And if anything isn’t right, we make sure it gets taken care of. Period.

It’s time to start your journey. Give Signal Connect a call at 888-233-7563. Although we operate during evenings and weekends, we ask that the first call be during East Coast business hours. That way we can match you with the professional you need. If it’s after East Coast business hours, just fill out the form below. We’ll get back to you, usually within one business day.

About the Author

Stuart Sweet
Stuart Sweet is the editor-in-chief of The Solid Signal Blog and a "master plumber" at Signal Group, LLC. He is the author of over 10,000 articles and longform tutorials including many posted here. Reach him by clicking on "Contact the Editor" at the bottom of this page.