Starlink offers fast and reliable internet access to households no matter where they might be located. Compared to other options that might require cabling or other major modifications to your property, one of the major selling points of Starlink’s internet is that it is incredibly easy to set up, even for those who might not be the most tech-savvy.
If you are thinking about installing Starlink onto your home, then you'll want to keep reading.
Our helpful Starlink guide covers: How Starlink works,
different set-up configurations, and why you might want to install it.
What is it?
With 2.6 million users, Starlink is fast becoming the go-to
internet for remote and alternative living. Starlink is a new method of
transferring internet to users, utilizing Low-Earth-Orbiting satellites –
situated 550 km from Earth’s atmosphere (LEO).
How does Starlink work?
Starlink works by having a global network of small roaming
satellites, near to 5,500 of them moving around the globe at 27,000 Kilometers
per hour.
Every four minutes a new roaming satellite will pair up with
your Starlink satellite ‘dish’, sending data back and forth between them at
hundreds of megabytes per second.
This enables global coverage and reduces latency for
improved internet connectivity, regardless of location.
Why should you use it?
* Global Coverage
One of the primary advantages of Starlink is its potential
to provide internet access to virtually any location on Earth. Traditional
internet infrastructure is often limited by geographical constraints, making it
difficult or economically unfeasible to deploy in remote or sparsely populated
areas. Starlink's satellite constellation, however, has the capability to cover
even the most remote regions, bridging the digital divide and bringing
connectivity to underserved communities worldwide.
* High-Speed Connectivity
Starlink aims to deliver high-speed internet connectivity,
comparable to or even surpassing traditional broadband services. With its
constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit, Starlink can minimise latency,
resulting in faster response times for online activities such as web browsing,
video streaming, and online gaming. This high-speed connectivity is essential
not only for consumer applications but also for businesses, research
institutions, and emergency services operating in remote areas.
* Redundancy and Reliability
Conventional internet infrastructure, including terrestrial
networks and fiber-optic cables, is prone to disruptions from construction
projects, natural catastrophes, and equipment malfunctions. Because the network
can dynamically reroute data in the case of a loss or outage, Starlink's
satellite-based architecture offers redundancy and reliability. This resilience
is especially important in places that are vulnerable to natural disasters or
have poor access to dependable infrastructure.
* Scalability and Flexibility
The modular nature of Starlink's satellite constellation allows for scalability and flexibility in expanding the network's capacity and coverage. SpaceX can gradually increase the number of satellites in orbit to accommodate growing demand for internet connectivity. Moreover, Starlink's user terminals can be deployed quickly and easily, making it feasible to rapidly deploy internet access in response to emergencies or humanitarian crises.
How to set up Starlink?
Setting up Starlink satellite internet is so straightforward that the company themselves explains it in just two very easy steps:
- Plug it in
- Point it at the sky
It is so easy, in fact, that they even stress that you can do the above steps in the opposite order and it will still work.
Though all you need to do is plug the dish in and point it at the sky, the Starlink installation process does require a little optimisation. The Starlink dish needs a clear view of the sky, and this cannot be obstructed by trees, buildings, or anything else likely to interrupt the signal. Placing the dish indoors, even next to a window, may lead to connectivity issues, so it must be positioned outside.
The Starlink app can provide guidance to help you determine the best install location on your property. All you need to do is install the Starlink app on your preferred device and stand in the area where you would like to mount the dish. Open the app and select “Check for obstructions” from the menu, then follow the instructions presented on the screen.
It is also important to consider any weather conditions likely to affect the dish. The Starlink dish can melt snow, and the mast and dish together have been designed to withstand heavy rain and other harsh elements. However, the dish can be affected by build-up around the mounting base, such as heavy fallen snow. To avoid any weather-related performance issues in your Starlink internet, choose your mounting base location carefully.
How far can the Starlink dish be from the house?
Your Starlink kit will come with a power cable that reaches
100 ft (30m). This means that you can position the dish up to 100ft away from
its power supply (not necessarily 100ft away from your house).
Many people who use Starlink internet in rural areas might
decide to set up their dishes on an outbuilding or some other distance from
their actual home. So long as you can run power here, the cable can then reach
out to the dish.
Then, you simply have to run an ethernet cable from your
dish back to the Starlink router in your home. This cable can exceed the 100ft
range of the dish’s power cable without a drop in performance. You can also buy
mesh adaptors from Starlink to help you create a mesh network within your home.
Will Starlink work without a mobile signal?
Yes! One of the biggest advantages of the Starlink system is
that it does not require a mobile signal to work.
When you connect to the internet through your smartphone,
you either connect using a standard Wi-Fi connection or through your data. A
standard Wi-Fi connection will use copper cabling or some other method to
deliver the signal and speed to your wireless router. Connecting through data
relies on your proximity to a phone mast – and if there are obstructions in the
way, like trees, hills, or even buildings, this can affect your signal
strength.
Starlink’s connection does not come from a mast or cables,
but rather from the Starlink satellite array. So long as your dish has an
unobstructed view of the sky, you should be able to pick up a signal from one
of these satellites.
How do I properly mount my Starlink dish mast?
You might have realised that the ideal location for mounting
your Starlink dish is not always the most convenient. While setting up the dish
is relatively straightforward, securing the mounting base can be a bit more
challenging. A professional service can assist you in correctly installing your
Starlink internet dish and ensuring its mounting is secure. Additionally, it
can enhance your Wi-Fi connection throughout your property, optimising all
connected systems and appliances.
Conclusion of thoughts:
Starlink represents a groundbreaking innovation in satellite
internet technology, offering the promise of global connectivity and bridging
the digital divide. While challenges remain, the potential benefits of Starlink
are undeniable, making it a transformative force in the quest for universal
internet access.
By deploying a massive constellation of satellites, Starlink overcomes the limitations of traditional satellite internet,which often suffers from high latency and limited coverage. This innovative approach has the potential to bridge the digital divide and connect billions of people who currently lack reliable internet access.