Everyone’s talking about Starlink. And why shouldn’t they? It’s a real change to the way people get internet. It may be the first move toward a future where people don’t need fiber coming to their homes at all.
Starlink is…
…satellite internet, but not what you think of as satellite internet. Traditional satellite internet uses a few large, expensive satellites in orbit high above the earth. By “high” I mean about 22,000 miles. By having the satellite so far away (and using some fancy math) you can have it occupy a fixed place in the sky. That’s great because you don’t have to re-aim your dish all the time.
Starlink uses A LOT of relatively cheap, small satellites that are all fairly close to the ground. By “fairly close” I mean about 1,000 miles away. Doing it this way has some advantages to doing it the way it’s always been done. Because the satellites are closer to earth, the internet speed seems faster. You spend less time waiting for information to make that long trip from you to the satellite and back. It also means that as services improve, it’s possible to swap those satellites out a lot less expensively. That’s why Starlink is evolving so fast.
Because the satellites are so much closer to the ground, they always seem to be moving in relation to someone on the ground. However, this is a lot like the way cell phones work. By having so many satellites, an antenna on the ground can just connect to the closest one and automatically switch.
Is Starlink for you?
A lot of people lately think Starlink is the right choice for their boat. After all, it’s a way to get decently fast internet service when you’re too far away to get cell service.
If you have a decent budget for this sort of thing and you don’t mind the idea of upgrading every few years, Starlink may be for you. Current Starlink users just went through an upgrade process where most of their equipment had to be swapped out. This is expected to happen several more times before the system gets really stable.
Keep in mind for marine users, Starlink equipment can run in the mid 4 figures and require a professional rigger to install. This is no small chunk of change. But if it’s not a problem for you, I say “awesome” and let’s keep moving.
If Starlink isn’t for you
If you’re not up for the high equipment costs every few years, or if you just don’t want to go through all the hassle of it, there are still great options out there. Most people never go beyond 10 miles offshore. If that sounds like you, you can install a cell phone signal booster on your boat. This is a one-time expense that’s expected to work for the next decade or more. It will let you use any cellular signal and that means using your phone or getting a dedicated hotspot for the boat. That’s a lot cheaper than Starlink for marine.
Or, you can choose satellite internet from Viasat. Viasat has been doing satellite internet for about two decades in the marine space. They know what they’re doing and the equipment is mature. They’ve launched their next-generation satellites and that means superfast speeds are just around the corner. You don’t have to work with an unproven commodity just to get internet.
But if Starlink is for you…
…you’ll want to work with a company that’s been helping marine customers get satellite service for over 20 years. Signal Connect can now help you get Starlink equipment and service. We have an installer network who is fully trained to work in marine environments. We also have a full set of accessories you’ll want such as a dome to protect the antenna and blend in with the other domes on your boat.
Whether you want a cellular solution, a traditional satellite solution, or something new and fancy, you’ll want to make that call to Signal Connect. We’re here for you during East Coast business hours and we specialize in putting marine customers first. Our team has done more marine satellite activations than anyone else on the planet. We’ll help you get what you need and we’ll give you the service you deserve.
Call us at 888-233-7563 and discover what real customer service is all about. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below and we’ll get right back to you!
