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Starlink Portability feature lets customers travel continent-wide for an additional monthly fee

Up until this point, Starlink has been meant to serve primarily as a home-internet connection for a fixed address. Now, SpaceX has launched an add-on portability feature to let customers use Starlink away from their home address for an additional monthly fee.

Starlink Portability feature

Notably, this ~$25/month add-on is not the long-promised “mobile” version of the terminal intended specifically for use on moving vehicles. The Starlink FAQ notes that using Starlink in motion voids your warranty.

No In-Motion Use :  We do not support Starlink use in motion at this time. Using the Starlink Kit in motion will void the limited warranty of your Kit. While our teams are actively working to make it possible to use Starlink on moving vehicles (e.g., automobiles, RVs, boats), Starlink is not yet configured to be safely used in this way.

This new portability option comes not long after the price of Starlink increased from $100/month to $110/month, so opting to use the portability feature brings the monthly price of Starlink up to $135/month.

This add-on essentially overrides the Starlink geofencing limitations , but the mobile service can’t be expected to match the service received at the home address of the Starlink user.

In areas where new Starlink users would be on a waitlist, the number of Starlink terminals in that cell is near its maximum, and those users in their home cell will be prioritized. The Starlink FAQ refers to this as “best efforts service,” saying, “Stated speeds and uninterrupted use of services are not guaranteed. Starlink prioritizes network resources for users at their registered service address. When you bring your Starlink to a new location, this prioritization may result in degraded service, particularly at times of peak usage or network congestion.”

The company also notes that this service does not replace the need to update your address if you move.

It remains to be seen how limited speeds may become when operating outside of home cells, or if the eventual mobile Starlink may not be subject to such limitations during travel.

Space Explored’s take

I previously wrote about how the geographic limitation of Starlink was the main thing holding it back from being a perfect solution for RVers , and I feel confident that now that the limitation has been lifted it will become an even more popular solution for nationwide high-speed internet on RVs.

While the price increase of the service earlier this year and the add-on nature of this feature continue to increase the cost of Starlink, it still remains basically the only option for this level of connectivity in some locations. Perhaps once other satellite internet constellations launch there will be some level of competition in the space, but for what the service offers, and the in-space infrastructure required to make it happen, I still consider it reasonably priced.

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Starlink's Portability mode lets you take your sat broadband dish anywhere*

* terms and so many conditions apply.

Starlink customers who've been itching to take their dish on the road can finally do so – for a price. 

The Musk-owned satellite internet service provider quietly rolled out a feature this week called Portability which, for an additional $25 per month, will allow customers to take their service with them anywhere on the same continent – provided they can find a clear line-of-sight to the sky and the necessary power needed to keep the data flowing.

That doesn't mean potential Starlink customers sign up for service in an area without a wait list and take their satellite to a more congested area. Sneaky, but you won't get away with it. If Starlink detects a dish isn't at its home address, there's no guarantee of service if there's not enough bandwidth to go around, or there's another outage .

"Starlink prioritizes network resources for users at their registered service address. When you bring your Starlink to a new location, this prioritization may result in degraded service, particularly at times of peak usage or network congestion," states Starlink's support page .

In addition to Portability customers getting potentially degraded service, Starlink also said it doesn't work while customers are actually in motion (so no web surfing while driving), and attempting to do so is a warranty-voiding act. Starlink customers also can't use Portability internationally uninterrupted long-term, the support page makes clear: two months of operation in another country will result in Starlink requiring a change of service address.

While international restrictions on a continent-wide feature may not be an issue for US-based Starlink customers, it's unclear how the restriction will apply to European customers, if differently at all. We've reached out to SpaceX (Starlink's parent company) for comment and have yet to hear back. 

Starlink said customers can find Portabilty in the Starlink app, and toggling it on will make it active immediately. Service isn't prorated and customers who activate Portability will be billed for a full month of service regardless of how many days (within one month) the service is active. 

Done roaming

If there's one thing that comes to mind about Starlink Portability, it's whether paying $25 a month for the feature is necessary. That may not be the case, judging from freelance developer, blogger, and author Jeff Geerling's experience. 

Geerling recently wrote a blog post about using Starlink for a few months, deciding he didn't want it in February, and trying to hand his service off to his cousin, who lives in a rural area in Missouri, USA, without reliable internet access. Starlink support told Geerling that transferring the service to someone else wasn't possible, so he kept paying for it while figuring out his next move.

Geerling told The Register he noticed people on Reddit talking about the Portability feature in March, and when his own dish received a firmware update a couple of weeks ago he decided to test it for himself.

"After my Dish firmware upgraded, I was able to see 'roaming: false' in my app, and so last Friday I drove around St Louis and verified that after moving a couple miles from my home/service address, it switched to 'roaming: true', and has been that way since," Geerling told The Register .

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With that, he took his Starlink dish to his cousin's farm on April 29, discovered it worked there as well, and left it. As of publishing, he told us, the dish is still in place and working. He hasn't activated Portability and he hasn't been charged. Based on screenshots he provided to The Register , Geering's Starlink account shows Portability as available, but not active. There are no warnings or notices of unauthorized roaming on the screens Geering shared.

However, as of Thursday, that appears to have changed. 

"I've logged into my Starlink.com account, and I now see a note that reads Click "Manage Service Options" to add Portability. That screen leads to this Starlink Portability FAQ page with more details," he wrote. "I haven't signed up for it yet, and I'm waiting to see what happens next billing cycle … I still can't update the service address to my cousin's location."

Starlink recently announced a price hike, with deposit holders' fees jumping from $499 to $529, and new orders starting at $599. A monthly service fee increase from $99 to $110 is scheduled to take effect on May 9. ®

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Starlink's new traveling 'Portability' feature isn't all that portable

Bring your satellite internet with you anywhere — as long as you don't mind lugging equipment around.

Though SpaceX’s Starlink internet service is generally intended for home use, subscribers will now have the option to access their service from anywhere on their home continent. The company is introducing a new add-on “portability” feature that, for an extra $25 per month, will let users connect to Starlink’s satellites while traveling. If they’re willing to cart around their Starlink dish and associated hardware, that is.

That’s the most pressing caveat of the new feature, really. The $25 per month fee does also add to Starlink’s already-expensive price tag, which may stop some subscribers from taking advantage of the new feature.

Okay, so the Starlink equipment will pose something of a problem for many hoping to take their high-speed internet on the road. Unlike other mobile internet solutions like cellular routers , Starlink requires a bulky satellite dish (affectionately known as a “dishy” in Starlink parlance). This isn’t exactly the road-tripping solution some may be looking for.

Still in early stages — Portability is still very much a new product for Starlink, and the company is being open about its limitations. According to the Starlink support site , service is being provided on a “best effort” basis, meaning users might experience slower speeds and higher latency while traveling. Providing service to users’ registered addresses is still the company’s priority.

Starlink also won’t offer in-motion service with Portability, so subscribers can’t use it while driving, for example. Doing so will actually void the hardware’s limited warranty. There’s also that caveat about international travel; Starlink says you’ll need to register an address change after two months of using the equipment abroad.

A taste of future offerings — Despite its shortcomings, Starlink has generally been successful in finding rural customers in need of more reliable internet service. The new Portability feature has a similar vibe: useful in very specific circumstances for now, with the promise of expanded usability in the future. Having to trek all that equipment around and power source issues are problems Starlink is already working on.

The limited Portability feature is available now; customers can add the service on their Starlink account page. Adding Portability brings Starlink’s monthly fee up to $135 (much more for premium service ) with a $599 initial equipment fee. Pair it with your Cybertruck Camper for the ultimate Musk effect.

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Starlink Roam Explained: What It Is & How Much It Costs (2024)

Product manager by day, Starlink enthusiast by night.

Starlink introduced regional and global roaming plans , giving customers the option to take their dishy to all kinds of new places.

In the following article, I will explain what Starlink Roam is, what hardware it comes with, how much it costs, what potential downsides are, and how it differs from other options.

What Is Starlink Roam?

Starlink Roam is one of Starlink’s seven internet tiers that allows subscribers to access the internet away from their registered service address.

Roam originated from the previous RV moniker. Starlink officially rebranded it into Roam back on March 8 th , 2023, to highlight the additional features that were added.

Starlink has since (May 2nd, 2023) added another name to the mix. Roam is now also referred to as Mobile . Currently, over 300,000 people are subscribed to just Roam alone.

Customers subscribed to Mobile/Roam can access the internet in any country that Starlink is licensed to operate in. You can check Starlink’s availability here .   

It has to be noted that Starlink Roam is only available for usage on land – even though there are various examples of people using it at sea and even in jurisdictions (like Barbados) where Starlink isn’t licensed in.

However, since early May 2023, Starlink has begun enforcing usage-on-land roles and thus requires people to now switch to Mobile Priority.

As a result, Roam is largely aimed at those who travel and live in vehicles such as RVs or camper vans.

You can even access the internet while in motion if you purchase the required hardware.

Now, Starlink offers two distinct products to Mobile users. The first one is (Mobile) Regional , which allows you to use Starlink anywhere in your registered home country.

However, you do have the option to leave your country for up to two months within a given calendar year. Said country has to be within the same continent, though.

Otherwise, you need to update your location to the new country, which means your rate will adjust as well. Starlink utilizes geofencing to detect the location of your hardware.  

This is where the second option, dubbed (Mobile) Global , comes in. Global, as the name suggests, allows you to take your dishy wherever Starlink is licensed to operate.

Unfortunately, in either case, that flexibility comes at a cost. Service is provided on a Best Effort basis, meaning there is no priority access included in the plan.

Service degradation will be most extreme in ‘Low Capacity’ areas, which are highlighted in the availability map I mentioned above.

Bandwidth will always be prioritized for those on stationary plans like Residential or Business (now also called Priority ).

In terms of speed, you should expect anywhere between 5 Mbps to 50 Mbps for downloads and 2 Mbps to 10 Mbps for uploads. Latency should hover around 25 ms to 50 ms.

Meanwhile, those subscribed to Residential (also called Standard now) will receive “Standard” access data while users of Priority (Business) and Mobile Priority (Maritime) get to enjoy the highest speeds (around 220 Mbps).

What Hardware Is Available To Roam Subscribers?

Roam subscribers can choose from two different hardware options, namely the regular r ectangular dish and the flat high-performance dish .

The rectangular version is 513 mm (20.2 in) tall, 303 mm (11.9 in) wide, weighs 2.9 kg (6.4 lbs) without the ancillary cable, consumes 50 to 75 watts of power , and is 100-240V AC powered.

Meanwhile, the flat high-performance version boasts a height of 575 mm (22.6 in) and width of 511 mm (20.1 in), 5.9 kg / 13 lbs without the cable, uses 110 to 150 watts on average and also utilizes 100-240V AC power.

Where the two differ is in their performance and usage. The flat high-performance dishy is specifically designed for in-motion usage and can thus be mounted on top of a vehicle. It is also more resilient to extreme environments.

With that being said, both dishy’s come with the standard Starlink router and various cables.

The high-performance kit also includes a separate power supply and corresponding mount, a mount for the router, and an Ethernet cable.

How Much Does Starlink Roam Cost?

In the United States, customers of Roam are charged $150 per month for the Regional plan. Meanwhile, the Global option costs an additional $50 for a total monthly fee of $200 .

On top of that, a one-time hardware fee of $599 is applied for the regular rectangular dishy while the in-motion option costs $2,500 . Shipping and handling put you down another $50 .

We keep track of all Starlink prices for both Mobile/Roam and Residential/Standard here . Feel free to check it out!

Starlink previously charged $135 per month for RV but decided to hike the price at the end of February 2023.

The comparable Portability plan was simultaneously halted for US-based subscribers and has now been removed for new customers altogether.

$150 or $200 certainly seems like a steep price to pay. In fact, it actually is. For example, in Europe Starlink charges the equivalent of $90 to $105 for the regional Roam version.

And up north in Canada Roam costs CA$170 per month (~ US$123). Lastly, Australians pay roughly $116 per month for the luxury to take their dishy on a trip across the country.

Comparatively charging more is little surprising given that subscribers in the United States had to grapple with network congestion issues in the latter half of 2022 and all throughout 2023.

Starlink’s likely goal is to curb adoption to some extent while shifting its focus to areas with lower adoption – all while getting more satellites into space and setting up additional ground stations .

What Are Potential Downsides?

I want to preface this section by highlighting that Starlink’s Mobile plan, and especially the Global option, is an amazing innovation.

After all, you can now get access to the web in the more than 70 countries Starlink is licensed to operate in (granted you have enough luggage space).

With that being said, it’s important to highlight the various disadvantages that customers subscribing to Roam will likely have to grapple with.

The biggest one is certainly speed. Starlink itself has gone on to state that Roam users will likely receive half the download speeds compared to those on Residential plans.

That’s because service is always provided on a Best Effort basis, meaning subscribers of the above-mentioned stationary plans will be prioritized.

Whatever speed you ultimately end up seeing will depend on the congestion of the network, though. Anecdotally, subscribers in Europe have reported that they don’t really see any drops in speed when switching to RV.

However, since over 80 percent of all Starlink subscribers are based in the US, it’s only logical that many cells are indeed congested.

And while Starlink does offer the ability to test the service 30 days for free and cancel at any time, those initial results could not be conclusive, depending on where you’re currently based.

For example, if you move from an area with excess capacity to one with low capacity, your performance will drastically change for the worse.

Another disadvantage of the Roam plan is that you can’t change back to the Residential option if there’s no capacity in your area.

Lastly, Roam only supports in-motion connectivity for those who can churn out $2,500 to purchase the flat high-performance dishy. And the dishy itself won’t be installed by a Starlink representative, with the burden being on the customer.

How Is Roam Different From The Portability Plan?

The Portability feature can be added to your account as an optional service. This feature provides deprioritized service when your Starlink is installed away from your fixed residential address.

However, it’s worth noting that speeds and uninterrupted service aren’t guaranteed when a user is away from their registered address.

Additionally, the Residential option in the US does not offer the Portability feature, which means you’ll need to change your service plan to Roam if you want to use Starlink away from your registered address.

In fact, Portability has now been removed for new subscribers altogether. Only existing customers can remain subscribed to it.

While Portability does not support in-motion use, it can be removed from your account at any time whereas Roam users are essentially stuck to the plan (if not using the trick I outlined above).  

Can Residential Customers Switch To Roam?

Yes, you can switch to Roam if you are currently on the Residential plan. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be good to go.

• First, visit Starlink.com and sign in to your Starlink Account.
• Once you’re in, look for the ‘Your Starlinks’ section, where you’ll see a list of your Starlinks.
• Locate the Starlink you’d like to update the subscription type for, and click the ‘Manage’ button next to it.
• Now, you’ll see the “Service Type” line with a Pencil Icon. Click on that icon to modify your subscription.
• At this point, you’ll be able to change your subscription and accept the terms. To switch to Roam, just select “Change to Roam.”

Starlink has since introduced the option to switch back to Residential/Standard or (Mobile) Priority, too.

Keep in mind that changing back to Residential is subject to Starlink’s approval for now. Those located in limited capacity areas can currently not switch back.

Wrapping Up

Roam, despite some of its shortcomings, is a great option for those who live and travel frequently in an RV, van, or truck.

Your mileage will certainly vary in terms of speed, depending on the location you currently reside in.

On the other side, Starlink remains far and beyond the best option in terms of performance and reliability – oftentimes even in excess capacity areas.

Plus, the ability to use Starlink in more than 50 countries across the globe opens up a whole array of new destinations that have previously been unattainable for those needing a stable connection.

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21 thoughts on “Starlink Roam Explained: What It Is & How Much It Costs (2024)”

Can you address the suspension of service under the Roam plan? What are the restrictions, limitations, etc. with it? How frequently and for how long can the account be suspended? Thank you!

Suspension of service? Only risk is losing your Standard dishy’s warranty if you use it while in motion. Hence why Starlink recommends Flat HP antenna.

You also need to switch to Mobile Priority plan if you aim to use Starlink while out in the ocean. Other than that Roam has the lowest bandwidth prioritization, hence speed will be slowest among all plans (on average).

Hi..great information. I do have a question. Presently a residential Starlink subscriber in Canada. I am a seasonal RV traveler. Is there a plan that would allow me to subscribe seasonally for the RV purpose and still maintain the function of the residential plan at the same time? Thank you

Hi Ralph, you can simply switch from Residential to Roam.

Website: 1. Under “Your Starlinks” select “Manage” next to the Starlink you would like to update the service plan for. 2. Click “Change Service Plan” 3. Select the desired service plan. By switching service plans, you are accepting the terms and conditions of the new service plan.

Starlink App: 1. Make sure you are logged into your account on the Starlink App 2. Select the ‘Person” icon (top right) 3. Select “Manage Subscription” under the Starlink you would like to change the service plan for 4. Select “Change Service Plan” 5. Select the desired service plan. By switching service plans, you are accepting the terms and conditions of the new service plan.

Once you’re done traveling, you can switch back to Residential. However, do keep in mind that you can only switch back to Residential if there’s available capacity.

The bigger question for the ethernet connector is WHY this is not part of the router, since every router on the planet since the late 90’s comes with at least ONE ethernet port.

Love to see starlink insider comment on this considering I there is a new router coming with ethernet (duh) – no more ‘apple-like’ dongle upgrades for ‘basic features’

Can’t wait also for the dish price to hit $199AUD permanently… until then you’re pricing yourself out of the market for a lot of people. Would be better to put monthly price up $5 then charge up to $600 aud for the harware… the rest of the industry worked this out decades ago.

Hi, it does certainly feel like a money grab not having an Ethernet port on the router. That said, the newest Gen3 router does include it and Starlink seems to have admitted their mistake somewhat.

Hi. I live in Tanzania, which is not licensed, and despite promises is unlikely to be due to competition from mobile companies. Is there a way I can use the Kenya dish here? I am near the border.

Hi Jeremy, the Regional Roam option could (!) work. However, keep in mind that Starlink could cut you off at any time since it isn’t licensed to operate in Tanzania (that is expected to take placee in Q2 2024).

Expanding on an earlier comment about turning the service on and off as needed. I also have a Motorhome and we travel frequently but not enough to pay 12 months for service. I do not have Starlink home service and don’t need it but would like to have it for my motorhome. Question, can I turn the Mobile (Roam) service on before I take a trip and off after I return or do I have to pay monthly for the service regardless.

Hi Alvin, yes, you can pause Roam at any time.

We are going to be traveling in our Rv this August (2024) . We will be in North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee and northern Georgia. We will need a router with a Ethernet port. What equipment do we need to purchase and is there a plan we can only pay for a month then turn it off until we go on another Rv trip ?

If i plan on driving from Tijuana Mexico to Argentina, what is the best option for me?, i purchased the Square dishy… can that work? or do i need to change that to the flat option?

Hi Albert, Starlink is currently not available in Argentina, so Residential likely won’t work. However, you can order one in another South American country where Starlink is licensed (e.g., Ecuador) and then opt into the Mobile Regional plan.

Argentina is likely whitelisting Starlink this year, so won’t take too long anymore for Residential service to be made available.

I’m on the basic roam package, and consistently see speeds of 150 to 180 Down and around 15 up, in South eastern States.

Im thinking about a starlink roaming package for my RV. Is 150-180 fast? I want to be able to stream movies when parked for the night. If someone could respond that would be great! Thank you.

150 Mbps is more than enough for streaming. You normally only need around 10 – 20 Mbps (download).

So, we are in a similar situation here in Kansas, USA. We want to travel with our motor him, probably 7 months of the year, likely in the central portion of the US, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, North and South Dakota. Are we likely to have adequate coverage for usage and streeming in those areas? Also, can we turn it on and off when not in use?

Hi Don, coverage should be no issue as long as the dish isn’t blocked by trees or mountains. Streaming should mostly be fine, esp since you only need around 10 Mbps or so.

And yes, you can turn it on and off whenever you want.

Can you use the roam plan at home as your internet when you’re not traveling?

Hi Julie, yes you can. Would suggest to switch to Residential if you’re at home for an extended amount of time.

Can I power a starlink roam directly with 12v only. Not going from 12v to 120v. If so how much 12v power does it take to run starlink.

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Last Updated on 3 months by Viktor

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Can you Travel with Starlink? Best Options

Being a digital nomad at heart I always wanted to take my Starlink with me on my travels.

It took me a stupidly long time to realize that there are plenty out there looking at options to get a solid internet service during their travels, no matter on air, road, or at sea.

Not a lot of people know that Starlink does have a few cards that can help in enabling just that, and this has motivated me to write this article on how you can travel with a Starlink connection.

To travel with Starlink, Starlink RV or the portability feature for Starlink Residential are the best choices. Starlink also provides options for boat and aircraft owners with their Starlink Maritime and Starlink Aviation plans.

Travelling on Road with Starlink RV

By road is the most common method of travel for many, and Starlink has quite a few plans that cater to such an audience.

Starlink has Starlink RV , which is specifically designed for those who are out and about on their RVs and require a solid internet connection.

Starlink does have two plan options for Starlink RV: A plan with a regular rectangular Starlink RV dish, and a plan with a high-performance dish on board

There is also a workaround option where you can temporarily take your existing Starlink Residential connection on the road by enabling a feature called Portability

Here is a brief comparison of the options for users who want to utilize a Starlink connection for their on-road travels:

Starlink RV with Rectangular dish

This is the most popular Starlink RV plan, and the brief chart below summarizes every aspect that this plan offers for its users:

The Starlink RV basically is Starlink Residential for remote users but with a few downgrades to counter its nomadic nature

This is reflected in the hardware, which is almost identical to what you receive with a Starlink Residential connection.

But the similarities end there.

Starlink RV costs a bit higher, at $135 per month instead of Starlink Residential's base $90.

This service fee can be paused and enabled as per your needs, in case you take a break from your regular travelling spree.

There is also no waiting list for Starlink RV customers, unlike Starlink Residential. This means you can utilize the Starlink service immediately after subscribing.

But this does come with a slight downgrade, in that you will need to be content with a deprioritized service.

This effectively means that the Starlink Residential customers around you will have more priority for the Starlink connection, leading to potentially slower speeds.

This is entirely dependent on the usage in the particular cell that you are currently hosting the Starlink connection from.

Since your service is already deprioritized, there are no soft data cap s for Starlink RV connections.

One key factor that might affect your usage of Starlink RV is that the regular plan does not support internet connectivity when in motion.

This means that you will have to be stationary in order for your Starlink dish to connect to a Starlink satellite constellation above.

Coming to its performance, it is entirely dependent on the location you try to connect your Starlink from.

We noticed high peaks and low troughs with our testing, with speeds ranging as low as 9 Mbps and as high as 220 Mbps.

The upload speed situation was surprisingly more stable, hovering around 6 Mbps on average.

The power consumption charts were also pretty decent, with similar power consumption reports as of a regular Starlink Residential connection.

Starlink RV with Flat High-Performance dish

This is Starlink's higher tier option for Starlink RV customers who want better performance and features than their regular counterparts.

The flat high-performance dish is a redesign of the high-performance dishes that Starlink provides for their Business and high-end Residential plans for better speeds.

Given below is a brief outline of what you can expect from a Starlink RV connection with a flat high-performance dish:

The primary difference that the Starlink flat high-performance plan has over the regular version is the ability to connect to a Starlink satellite when in motion.

This is a huge boon for those who are constantly moving and require an active connection when literally on the road.

This does come at a steep cost, as the $2500 hardware fee is a hard pill to swallow.

The portability is also in question here, as the Starlink dish needs to be permanently fixed to your RV.

The high-performance factor does also aid in increasing power consumption, so you might need to frequently juice up your external power source when on the road.

But on the bright side, you get much better speeds overall and that is all that matters for most of the folks that opt for this plan.

Travelling on road with Starlink Residential and Portability

Another option for road dwellers is to just simply take your Starlink Residential connection with you when you travel!

Yes, this is an option that Starlink has provided, but it does come with its fair share of challenges.

To do this you need to enable the Portability feature, where you can temporarily change your service address for a small fee.

Here is a brief rundown of all the aspects you can expect out of simply travelling with your Starlink Residential connection with the portability feature enabled:

If you are already a Starlink Residential customer and would like to take your Starlink on a trip, this might be the best option for you.

You get a similar experience as the Starlink RV, and you will have to shell out a nominal $25 as a portability fee for the month that you are travelling.

If you are traveling with your Starlink Residential connection, it makes sense to get an additional Starlink cable for your travel purposes.

This ensures that you will not need to tamper with your existing Starlink cable that you have set up at your home, and you only need to detach the dish from the connection.

The drawback to this method is that you cannot stay for too long (more than 2 billing cycles) at your temporary location or Starlink can change your service address permanently.

With Starlink RV, you can stay as long as you want at any location.

Travelling on the sea with Starlink Maritime

If you plan on taking your regular Starlink Residential or RV connection on a boat, you might be out of luck.

But if you are someone who owns a boat, and wishes to implement a satellite internet connection for use while at sea, Starlink has the Maritime plan .

Here is a brief rundown on what you can expect from a Starlink Maritime plan:

The $10,000 hardware cost might seem absurd at first glance, but it is inexpensive compared to competing satellite internet services for use on boats.

Travelling on air with Starlink Aviation

This is similar to a Starlink Maritime connection but intended for aircraft when they are on air.

This has a much more commercial purpose, as airlines can utilize this service for providing internet for their passengers on board.

This is not restricted to businesses and enterprise solutions, so you can definitely implement the same for your personal aircraft.

Here is a brief rundown on the features and aspects that Starlink Aviation provides:

Challenges to using Starlink while Travelling

Starlink will always work best when it is used from a particular service address cell .

Travelling with your Starlink is still affected by a lot of factors that can deteriorate your experience with Starlink in general:

Weather and clear skies

Weather is one factor that can impact any Starlink connection since the Starlink dish needs to establish a clear communication channel with a Starlink constellation above.

If the skies are cloudy or if the area around the dish is covered by tall trees , the chances of establishing this said connection will further diminish.

Starlink dishes are built to withstand a lot of weather-related instances, but you will definitely feel a dip or a complete drop of connection in such conditions.

Travel restrictions

Do make sure to check with Starlink support or its terms and conditions of the possible locations you can travel to with your Starlink connection.

Typically in the US, you are allowed to travel anywhere as long as it is within the continent of your shipping address.

If you are utilizing the portability feature, there is a chance that your service address might get updated to the temporary address you provided if the service is utilized for more than 2 months.

External Power

The external power supply is one area that a lot of users falter on when it comes to powering their Starlink dish.

Make sure that your external power supply can power your Starlink dish as per your charging routine.

Deprioritization and Travelling between cells

A factor that many forget is that when you leave your service address location, you will be accessing data in a deprioritized fashion.

This means that when you move from one service cell to another, you will face speed changes depending on the Starlink traffic of said location.

Final Thoughts

If you have further queries regarding Starlink and its travel capabilities, you can seek the help of Starlink support or their FAQ page .

I hope my article on whether you can travel with Starlink, and all the challenges you might come across has been a worthwhile read.

Have a good day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can starlink be used for international travel.

Starlink can only be used within the continent of your shipping address, and cannot be used for international travel.

Can I purchase more than one Starlink connection?

Starlink allows multiple Starlink dishes to be connected to a Starlink account, with the secondary options available being Starlink Residential or Starlink RV.

You May Also Enjoy Reading

• Starlink Installation and Set Up: Easy Guide [2023]
• Starlink Disadvantages: Read Before Buying!
• Does Starlink offer Satellite Phone Service? [2022]
• Will Starlink be Free Ever? What's Likely [2022]
• How to Skip Starlink Waitlist [2022]-What Works?
• Is Starlink Good for Gaming? The Truth [2022]
• Starlink vs 5G Home Internet [2022]: Which is Better?

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family. I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

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How To Stow Starlink

The Starlink ‘stow’ feature allows you to move the dish back to its default orientation. You might need to stow the dish to send it back to Starlink, for troubleshooting, or to move it to a different installation location. In any case, you will probably encounter a situation where the feature comes in handy at some point.

There are three methods that you can use to stow a Starlink dish. You can do it using the app, but there are also a couple of manual methods that require a more hands-on approach. You can even stow the dish if it is broken or unresponsive. In this tutorial, I will walk you through each method, from easiest to hardest.

Stowing Starlink with the app

The best way to stow a Starlink dish is to use the Starlink app. This method works if your Starlink is functional and you can connect to it, either locally or remotely.

Step 1 – Open the Starlink app on your device

Step 2 – Tap Settings

Step 3 – Scroll down to the Stow Starlink section, slide the toggle to the right

Step 4 – If you are locally connected to your Starlink, sliding the toggle will stow the dish. If you are remotely connected (for example using cellular data or your work Wifi), an additional confirmation appears. Tap OK to confirm and stow

You will not be able to un-stow and restore internet service if you stow the dish through a remote connection!

Your Starlink service will be interrupted while the dish is stowed. The router and Wifi network will remain on, but you won’t be able to access the internet. To un-stow the dish and restore service, follow the same steps. You will see an option to Unstow in the Settings, instead of Stow. If you are remotely connected with the app, you won’t see the un-stow option, as you need to be locally connected to Starlink in order to restore service. It will take several minutes for Starlink to boot back up .

Stowing without the app

If you don’t have access to the Starlink app but you can access the dish, try this method of stowing:

Step 1 – With the dish plugged in and turned on, remove it from the mounting base

Step 2 – Place the Starlink dish face down on a flat surface

Step 3 – After about a minute, the dish will automatically tilt into the stow position

Step 4 – Immediately unplug the dish (Starlink cable or router power cable) so that it remains stowed

To restore service to a dish stowed with this method, install it back in the mount and apply power. The dish will automatically start to search for satellites and orient itself after several minutes.

Manually stowing a broken Starlink dish

If the previous two options don’t work because your dish is broken, you can still stow it manually. If you are sending the dish back to Starlink for repair or replacement, you are allowed to force it into the stowed position for shipping.

Step 1 – Remove the dish from the mount, unplug the Starlink cable

Step 2 – Place the dish face down on a flat surface

Step 3 – Slowly apply force to the mast part of the dish, pushing it down into the stow position

You may hear some clicking or grinding. It’s just the electric motor and gears being forced to turn. As long as you move slowly, and don’t attempt to push the mast too far, you won’t break anything.

The latest Starlink news, reviews, tutorials, and much more!

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35 thoughts on “How To Stow Starlink”

Noah…….. I am a new STARLINK user and I am about to leave my winter home and want to stow my STARLINK dish and place it safely in the house . I also would like to suspend service until I return next September. I am confused about the order and the best method to successfully do this. Do I stow the dish first and then cancel service or do I change to mobile and then put the service on hold and stow the dish. Some questions come to mind. If I am fairly confident I can get residential service when I return should I cancel my service and reapply on my return in September? If I go from residential to mobile can I then go back to residential. I am only interested in using and paying for the service for the winter months!

Stowing and cancelling are two different things, so it doesn’t matter which order you do it in. If it were me, I would just cancel Residential, and activate it again in the spring. No need to convert to Mobile only to pause the account.

Noah. I am trying to stow a Starlink that won’t connect because it is broken (for return–they sent me a new one). I am trying to push it down as the instructions say but it is just not moving. Any other ideas?

If the dish won’t power on at all, the only choice is to force the mast down into the stowed position. You might have to break the gears/motors to do so, which is fine to do if they’ve already sent you a replacement and have instructed you to send the broken one back. If you can’t physically get it to move, you might be forced to find a different box that will accommodate the dish un-stowed. If you are nervous about breaking the dish, you can always follow up with support to see if they have any further recommendations.

You suggest that it is okay to force a dead dish into stow mode for shipping back to Starlink. Do you have a reference for this? I can’t get support to say that is okay, but it is what would need to happen if I’m to send a dishy back (at least in the mfg box) that appears to have gone kaput after only a few hours on the job.

Are you assuming this from the last line of their FAQ on stowing that says, “To stow your Starlink Standard, move the kickstand from the supporting position, to flat under your Starlink for storage,” but they don’t elaborate on how exactly to move the kickstand?

My source for this article was the FAQ page you mentioned, but it doesn’t have the same information anymore. They’ve updated the FAQ section today, with the release of the Gen 3 dish. That’s what the part about the kickstand is about (Gen 3 has a kickstand by default, no mast or motors to stow). For the Gen 2 Standard dish, the FAQ used to say that you could manually force the dish by pushing it into the stow position. If it won’t power on at all, that’s the only way to get it back in the box. But follow what support says if they have other recommendations.

I’m at my summer (vacation) house up on Lake Superior and will be stowing my dish when we leave for the winter; I intend to use the “stow without the app” methodology and take the dish down for the season. Is it correct to assume that after removing the dish, that I then can just disconnect the electrical power plug to the router and that the entire system will be down for the winter—-that when I go to restart the system in the spring that I can just reconnect electrical power to the router—-reinstall and reconnect the dish—-and that within a few minutes (after the dish has reorienting itself) that the system will boot right back up?

Yes, all of that is correct. After stowing the dish you can unplug the router. When you come back, plug everything in, and it will automatically boot back up and aim itself.

Thank you Sir!

When I cancel service do I need to send the equipment back? Will I get a full refund? If I decide to start service again, will I be put on a waiting list?

No, you don’t need to send the equipment back, it’s yours. You only get a refund if you are within the return window. I believe it’s 30 days for a full refund. There is no more waitlist, so you can reactivate service at any time.

I had problems with my first Starlink kit and received a replacement – which works. I am attempting to stow the old antenna to return it. I connected the old antenna to my replacement base & cable. However, the stow option doesn’t appear in my settings. Will Factory Reset stow the antenna?

No, the factory reset won’t. I recommend just powering it on and putting it upside down to get it to stow.

Does stowing also pause service and stop requirement for monthly billing?

No, it is just for easier storage or moving of the dish, it doesn’t do anything with service or billing.

if a remotely ( 500km away) stow the starlink, you mentionned that we will not be able to unstow remotely… will remote reboot will unstow the dish and bring back to live the internet? I purchased my system in 2023, and my app has the unstow swip

Did you try that ?

I would like turn on the starling on demand only when need, to minimize power consumption.

When you stow the dish, remote communication becomes impossible because the dish is stowed, so you can’t even reboot the system remotely.

I’m disconnecting Starlink for the winter at our vacation home. Do I need to take it off the roof because of snow etc? Or is it ok to stay on roof with electric off?

It’s fine to stay up on the roof during the winter.

I must be missing something about un-stowing. If you need to be connected to your Starlink wifi system to unstow, the antenna would need to be unstowed to connect. How can I connect to my Starlink wifi if the antenna is stowed? What am I missing? Thank you!

The Wifi network stays running because that comes from the router, not the dish. So if you can connect locally with Wifi, you can still talk to the dish even though it’s stowed.

After stowing the dish can you just disconnect the router or do you have to do something special with that

Nope, just disconnect the cables, no special shutdown procedure or anything like that.

I purchased a used kit in Canada. The gentleman didn’t stow it before he canceled the service. I set up my service in the Dominican Republic because I am traveling. I set everything while still in Canada, haven’t gone to the Dominican Republic yet, can’t stow the unit, any suggestions?

It can take 5-10 minutes after power is applied to the system, for the dish to move on its own. If you manually forced it to stow, the motors could be broken. Service/activation has nothing to do with stowing or dish movement. It will always point straight up after a few minutes of turning on. Could be a bad cable or bad router if it never moves. The warranty transfers from the previous owner, so reach out to Starlink support if you can’t get it to work and the cable replacement doesn’t help.

How flat will the post go? I’m delivering this to someone and with the tilt of post out of the box it won’t fit in my carryon bag.

The post doesn’t lay flat. You can see the indent on the bottom of the antenna, which is as far as the post will come down. But it should fit in a typical luggage bag for carry-on.

This is very clear and very helpful. Thank you.

You’re welcome, glad the article helped!

I can’t unplug the cable housing from the base. Maybe it’s misaligned. Any tips? I don’t want to yank too hard lest I damage it.

There have been reports that a manufacturing defect has caused some of the plastic or other material to melt and sort of glue the connector in place. Give it some downward force and wiggle it a bit, it should slide out.

So I hit the stow button. It did not give me the second “are you sure” message and now I can’t unstow. In this article it says I will not be able to unstow until I am directly connected to my Starlink internet again. So how do I go about directly connecting again?

They may have changed it, I see that they just recently updated the app and now it’s a swipe toggle for the stow. I will work on updating this guide. As far as getting it out of stow mode, you just need to be connected to your Starlink Wifi network. What I mean by directly connecting is that you can’t unstow by remotely connecting to your system from work, school, cellular data, etc. You have to be physically at your Starlink location, connected to the Wifi.

do I have to stow the starlink if I want to return it but have never taken out of the box

It’s already stowed if it’s in the box.

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How to use a VPN for Starlink

Felipe Allende

Satellite internet has become increasingly popular in recent times, especially for those in underserved and remote areas. Among satellite internet providers, Starlink is the undisputed leader. However, it’s exposed to the same risks as any other provider, which is where a VPN can come in handy. Read on to find out how to use a VPN on Starlink.

Jump to…

What is Starlink? Why do I need a VPN for Starlink? Best VPN for Starlink How to get a Starlink VPN Should I use a free VPN with Starlink? Starlink VPN troubleshooting

What is Starlink?

Developed and operated by SpaceX, Starlink is a satellite internet network that provides high-speed internet access in over 70 countries. Launched under the vision of Elon Musk, Starlink’s network consists of thousands of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites working together to deliver fast internet connectivity. If you’re thinking of getting Starlink, here are some pros and cons to take note of.

Advantages of Starlink

• Widespread coverage. Starlink’s constellation of satellites covers 70+ countries and is planned to provide global coverage in the future, reaching remote and rural areas that often lack reliable internet access.
• High-speed internet. Despite being a satellite-based service, Starlink offers high-speed internet comparable to traditional broadband speeds, with much lower latency than previous satellite internet technologies. This is particularly suitable for latency-sensitive activities such as gaming or video calling.
• Easy installation and maintenance. Touted as user-friendly, Starlink’s setup involves just a small satellite dish and modem, allowing for relatively simple self-installation. The dish also automatically aligns itself and even heats to melt snow if necessary.

Disadvantages of Starlink

• Cost. Starlink’s initial setup and monthly subscription fees are higher than many traditional broadband services, making it less accessible for some users. However, it’s still cheaper than conventional satellite-based internet services.
• Weather dependency. Like all satellite communications, severe weather conditions can affect Starlink’s connectivity, leading to potential service interruptions or noticeably reduced speeds.
• Limited capacity. Increased demand in densely populated areas can strain the system, potentially affecting speeds and connectivity.

Why do I need a VPN for Starlink?

Using a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN with Starlink, or any other internet provider, can help boost your overall online experience. Here’s how ExpressVPN can benefit Starlink users:

• Boost your privacy and security. ExpressVPN keeps your connection fully encrypted so no one else can see into your online traffic. This is particularly important for Starlink users, as the satellite-based internet connection may be more susceptible to interception than traditional wired connections.
• Bypass censorship. In regions where internet access is heavily censored or monitored, a VPN can help Starlink users avoid government-imposed restrictions. This is particularly relevant for users in remote areas who rely on Starlink as their primary internet connection but face limitations on what they can access online.
• Browse throttle-free. While Starlink aims to provide high-speed internet access globally, you might still encounter bandwidth throttling amid network congestion. ExpressVPN can help manage these issues and potentially improve connection speeds during peak times.

A VPN complements Starlink’s capabilities by ensuring users enjoy a secure, private, and unrestricted internet experience. Whether you’re concerned about privacy, aiming to enhance your security, or want a smoother and more seamless experience, a VPN is a must-have tool for Starlink users.

What is the best VPN for Starlink?

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Starlink users , offering an optimal blend of speed, security, and ease of use that complements Starlink’s capabilities. Here are some key features of ExpressVPN:

• A vast network of high-speed servers in 105 countries ensures that Starlink users can enjoy stable connections without compromising on speed.
• With best-in-class AES-256 encryption , ExpressVPN secures your internet traffic and protects your data from interception or snooping.
• ExpressVPN offers a strict no-logging policy so you can browse with peace of mind, knowing that your data is for your eyes only.
• ExpressVPN is designed for simplicity , making it easy for anyone to set up and start using with their Starlink connection.
• Should you need assistance, ExpressVPN provides 24/7 customer support to help you resolve any issues quickly, ensuring your Starlink connection remains secure and uninterrupted.

How to get a Starlink VPN

You have two options since the Starlink router doesn’t directly work with VPNs. The first one is to use your Starlink router in “bypass mode” to only work as a modem and use another router as your network router and Wi-Fi access point. The benefit is that you can use a mesh Wi-Fi system to get the best coverage.

If that isn’t an option, you should download the ExpressVPN app on your devices. ExpressVPN has apps for all the most important platforms, so you’ll likely be completely covered. This is pretty straightforward, so we’ll focus on installing the VPN for Starlink on routers.

Before you start

Before starting, you must know that not all routers are natively compatible with VPNs. ExpressVPN has its own router integrated with VPNs , Aircove . If you go for it, you’ll ensure the best compatibility. However, ExpressVPN is also compatible with many other routers, and here you can find the full list . 

If your router isn’t on the list, you could still try to install a third-party firmware to your router, such as DD-WRT or Tomato. Once you have a compatible router, you can start the installation.

Note: This guide assumes you’ve already subscribed to ExpressVPN. If you haven’t done it yet, you can easily subscribe from here .

Step 1. Put your Starlink router on bypass mode

The first thing you need to do is put your Starlink router on bypass mode . This is equivalent to the bridge mode of other routers, and it turns off the Wi-Fi part of the router and makes it act only as a modem. This is important because you’ll be using your other router’s network (wired and Wi-Fi), not Starlink’s. To enable bypass mode, follow these steps:

• Ensure you have a working internet connection, and log in to your Starlink app.
• Click on Settings in the home screen. You’ll see the Starlink router settings.
• Scroll down to Bypass Mode and tap it. You’ll be directed to a page with a slider.
• Move the slider to the right to enable bypass mode.

Important: The Starlink router doesn’t come with an Ethernet port, which you must connect to the other router. Make sure you have the Starlink Ethernet adapter beforehand.

Step 2. Open your router’s firmware

Once you’ve followed your new router’s instructions, and it’s up and running, you have to open its firmware in your browser . This guide uses a Netgear Nighthawk R6400v2, but the steps are similar for every router.

To open your router’s firmware, type its IP address into your browser. Most routers have a default IP address of 192.168.1.1 . You can type this address into your URL bar to open your router’s firmware. If you don’t know your router’s IP address, you can find it by opening a command prompt and typing ipconfig . The entry for Default Gateway points to your router’s IP address.

Step 3: Find the VPN settings

Where your VPN settings are will depend on your router’s model. It’s usually under your router’s firmware’s Advanced or Security section. For example, it’s on Advanced > Administration > Router Update on Netgear routers.

Step 4: Enable the VPN service

This will allow your router to connect to the VPN server, which usually involves clicking a button or checkbox labeled Enable VPN . You may also need to upload the VPN firmware to the router. 

On Netgear, for example, you would need to select the Browse button and upload the VPN firmware you downloaded from ExpressVPN’s website. Once your ExpressVPN firmware is finished uploading to your router, you must log in to the ExpressVPN router setup site and then follow the prompts.  

Step 5: Check if your VPN is working on your router 

Once you’ve enabled the VPN, you should test your connection to ensure it works properly. You can check if your VPN is working on your router by searching Google for “what’s my IP” or a website that checks your IP address, such as whatismyipaddress.com . Verify that the output shown is not your home IP address, and you’re all set!

Should I use a free VPN with Starlink?

As you may already know, nothing is really free. If you’re not paying for a VPN service, you are the product—in this case, your information is. So, while free VPNs might not take your money upfront, they may make you pay in other ways, such as by tracking your activity, serving intrusive ads, or providing less robust features that can leave you vulnerable to data leaks and cyberattacks.

There is no free VPN that matches all that ExpressVPN has to offer, and you can even try us risk-free for 30 days with our money-back guarantee. Here’s what you’ll get with ExpressVPN vs. a typical free VPN:

Troubleshooting a Starlink VPN

If you’ve set up your VPN correctly, the VPN will work flawlessly most of the time, but sometimes, there could be teething problems between these two complex technologies. Here are some common issues with using a Starlink VPN.

Unable to establish a connection with the VPN

If you followed the steps above, Starlink’s router is now only acting as a modem, so it’s likely that Starlink is working fine. You may want to try the following steps:

• Ensure you have an active internet connection. Go to your Starlink app and run a speed test. If you don’t have internet access, try resetting everything.
• Try connecting to a different server location.  
• Check your VPN settings. Return to your router’s firmware (not Starlink’s) to check that everything is in order. Ensure that your VPN is using the Lightway protocol for the fastest, most reliable connection.
• Turn off your firewall or antivirus software. Sometimes, these types of software block your traffic by default. You may need to add the VPN under your firewall exceptions.
• Reinstall the firmware or app. Depending on whether you’re using the VPN on a router or directly on your device, you may need to reinstall it to get everything working.

Random connection drops

It’s expected that a VPN (or any) connection drops every once in a while. This is why ExpressVPN offers a kill switch feature that protects your data if the VPN gets disconnected.

However, if you’re experiencing dropouts with Starlink, the most probable cause is satellite switchover . Starlink positions its satellites in a much lower orbit than a geosynchronous one, unlike traditional satellite internet service providers. This means the satellites move relative to your position, so your dish constantly switches between satellites. Usually, the drops are so short that you don’t notice them, but VPNs could be more sensitive to these micro-disconnections.

Switching to an older VPN protocol (such as IKEv2) could help, as it’s used on mobile networks because of its resiliency and ability to reestablish connections.

Slow connection speeds

All VPNs slow down internet speeds. However, the best VPNs on the market can reduce the slowdowns until they’re almost imperceptible. 

To ensure you get the best speeds, pick a server that’s geographically close to you , as the shorter the distance, the faster your data will reach its destination. If you still have speed problems, ensure you use ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway VPN protocol , which is designed for speed.

High latency

Higher latencies are inherent to any satellite internet service because data has to travel greater distances. Starlink is much better in this sense than traditional satellite services, thanks to the lower orbits it uses. If you’re experiencing high latencies, you should try the same solutions for slow connection speeds, so switch to a VPN server closer to you and ensure that you’re using the Lightway VPN protocol.

FAQ: Starlink VPN

Can you use a vpn on starlink.

Yes, you can. You have two options. The first is to install it on a router. To do that, you must put your Starlink router into bypass mode and follow the instructions above.

Why isn’t my VPN working with Starlink?

If your VPN isn’t working with Starlink, it could be due to several reasons. Ensure your VPN is set to use a protocol that performs well with satellite connections, like Lightway or OpenVPN. You can also follow the troubleshooting steps above.

Can I use a VPN with satellite internet?

Yes, VPNs can be used with satellite internet services, including Starlink. However, due to the high latency typically associated with satellite connections, choosing a VPN provider that provides fast speeds and stable connections, such as ExpressVPN, is best to minimize potential performance impacts.

What IP address should I use for Starlink?

The network automatically assigns your IP address when connecting to the internet via Starlink. For privacy reasons or to access geo-specific content, you can use a VPN to mask your real IP address with one from a different location. There’s no need to set an IP address for Starlink manually; the system and any connected VPN service will handle IP address configurations automatically.

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Starlink vs. T-Mobile Home Internet: Clash of the Broadband Disruptors

Both providers are new and improved internet options for rural areas, but which is best for you? Here’s how Starlink and T-Mobile Home Internet compare.

Article updated on April 23, 2024 at 9:30 PM PDT

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Our expert staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and evaluates our top picks. The order in which our top picks are presented may be impacted by partnerships, and we may get a commission if you buy through our links.

Is Starlink or T-Mobile Home Internet better?

If you're considering Starlink and T-Mobile Home Internet for your home broadband connection, chances are you live in a rural or remote area with no cable or fiber internet access. Starlink and T-Mobile Home Internet are increasingly popular options for home internet in rural areas as they present significant improvements over traditional satellite and DSL services, and each comes with its unique advantages.

Starlink boasts far greater availability, including roaming internet capabilities, but T-Mobile Home Internet will be the potentially faster, definitely cheaper internet provider . Equipment fees further separate the two providers, but both offer unlimited data and no contract requirements .

In CNET’s reviews of each internet service provider, T-Mobile Home Internet scored a 7.4 out of 10, one of the highest ratings out of all 40-plus ISPs CNET has reviewed ( Verizon Fios has the best overall score at 7.6). Starlink, on the other hand, received a 6.5, well below T-Mobile Home Internet but still higher than competing satellite internet providers Hughesnet (6) and Viasat (6.1). 

Locating local internet providers

The review scores represent how I would lean when recommending Starlink versus T-Mobile Home Internet. If T-Mobile Home Internet is available, it’s likely to be a better choice than Starlink. However, if your broadband connection comes down to Starlink or other satellite providers -- and it may, considering T-Mobile Home Internet isn’t available everywhere -- Starlink is often the better broadband option.

How else do Starlink and T-Mobile Home Internet compare, and which service is ultimately the best for your home? You’ll find everything you need to know about Starlink versus T-Mobile Home Internet below.

Available everywhere, but expensive

Our take - Starlink relieves the speed, data and latency limitations that come with satellite internet, but not the sky-high costs. Service starts at $120 per month, but it will cost you $400 to $600 or more in equipment fees just to get started. Despite the high costs, Starlink is still likely to be a better value than Hughesnet, Viasat or DSL internet.

T-Mobile Home Internet

Low, straightforward pricing but limited availability.

Our take - T-Mobile Home Internet's simple plan and pricing structure make it an ideal option for internet in rural areas where choices are limited, or as an alternative to big cable and fiber providers in larger cities. The provider's single plan starts at $60 a month (half the cost of Starlink's cheapest plan) and includes free equipment rental, unlimited data, no contract requirements and a $10 or $20 discount for qualifying T-Mobile voice customers.

Starlink vs. T-Mobile Home Internet plans

Starlink offers four service tiers, but you’ll really have only two options for fixed home internet: Standard or Priority (the same goes for Starlink’s Mobile internet, for a total of four plans). The Priority plan offers a higher upload and download speed range, at least until you’ve reached the data limit, after which service is bumped to Standard for the reminder of the billing cycle.

T-Mobile Home Internet has just one plan, but it's a better internet deal than Starlink’s fixed home internet plans. T-Mobile Home Internet is half the price of Starlink’s cheapest plan (and even cheaper for qualifying T-Mobile voice customers) and has a higher speed range. Here’s a look at each provider’s plans.

Starlink internet plan details

T-mobile home internet plan details, starlink vs. t-mobile home internet pricing.

As mentioned above, T-Mobile Home Internet is half the cost of Starlink’s cheapest plan at $60 per month compared with $120 with Starlink Standard. A $10 or $20 discount is available to qualifying T-Mobile voice customers, bringing the monthly rate down to $40 or $50. There are no set price increases with T-Mobile Home Internet, and the provider is currently running a unique “price lock,” offering to pay your final bill if the monthly rate ever increases.

Likewise, there are no set price increases with Starlink, but the monthly home internet rate has fluctuated in the short time since service has been available (in fairness, T-Mobile Home Internet rates have shifted from $60 to $50 and back to $60). Starlink’s cheapest plan, and probably the most suitable for everyday home internet, starts at $120 per month in most locations, while a select few “excess capacity” locations may luck out and get the lowest monthly rate, $90.

For a priority data connection with a faster speed range and better speed consistency during periods of network congestion, Starlink home internet will run you $140 to $500 per month depending on your chosen data allotment of 40GB, 1TB or 2TB. If you go the priority data route, I’d recommend the 1TB plan. Burning through 40GB can happen in less than a week, especially if you stream most of your entertainment, but the average household likely won’t come close to using 1TB of data in a month’s time.

Starlink vs. T-Mobile Home Internet speeds

Starlink and T-Mobile Home Internet plans advertise an expected speed range, meaning the maximum speeds a home receives will vary based on location, network congestion and other factors. T-Mobile Home Internet’s speed range is higher than Starlink (72 to 245Mbps versus 25 to 100 or 40 to 220Mbps with Starlink), but that doesn’t guarantee it to be the faster provider. 

T-Mobile Home Internet estimates that “25% of our customers see speeds below and 25% see speeds above” the 72 to 245Mbps range, according to the provider’s FAQ page . The speeds you get with T-Mobile Home Internet will depend on your proximity to a mobile tower and the number of nearby customers who rely on the T-Mobile network for home internet (contributing to network congestion). In some cases, T-Mobile will lean on its 4G LTE network to deliver home internet, which can result in speeds slower than the advertised speed range. 

Starlink claims that “a majority of customers [experience] speeds over 100Mbps.” Like with T-Mobile Home Internet, Starlink’s available speeds will vary by location, but Starlink is more transparent about what speeds you can expect in different parts of the US (displayed in the map above). As more satellites join the Starlink fleet -- there have been 27 Starlink launches so far in 2024 -- max available speeds could continue to improve. 

Starlink’s priority data could come in handy

Network congestion also impacts Starlink’s speeds at any given time, but those with priority data are less vulnerable to slowed speeds during periods of high activity. Starlink’s Fair Use Policy states, “Priority data is given network precedence over Standard and Mobile data, meaning users will experience faster and more consistent download and upload speeds.”

T-Mobile Home Internet doesn't offer standard versus priority service tiers, so everyone is at the same mercy of the network’s capacity and capabilities.

What about latency?

Latency, or the time it takes your connection to send data back and forth, is notoriously high with traditional, geostationary satellite internet services, rendering online gaming next to impossible. 

Starlink and its network of low-orbiting satellites drastically reduce the time it takes to send data from the sky to your home and back. Advertised latency for Starlink internet is between 25 and 60 milliseconds, a significant improvement over Hughesnet or Viasat (which can hit 400 ms or higher) and low enough to support online gaming.

T-Mobile Home Internet signals have a shorter distance to travel, and as a result, expected latency ranges are lower than Starlink at 19 to 37 ms (24 to 40 when relying on its 4G LTE network).

Still, latency from either provider is low enough that you likely wouldn’t notice a difference between Starlink and T-Mobile Home Internet. Both ISPs have a latency range that will comfortably support online gaming, so don’t let latency influence your decision too much on Starlink versus T-Mobile Home Internet.

Starlink vs. T-Mobile Home Internet equipment and fees

Speeds and latency are a toss up between Starlink and T-Mobile Home Internet, but the latter has a clear advantage when it comes to equipment and accompanying fees. 

There are no equipment fees, upfront or ongoing, with T-Mobile Home Internet. Your equipment arrives with free, two-day shipping and setup is simple -- just plug in your router, then create your Wi-Fi network (and don’t forget to take these steps to secure it ).

Starlink antenna dish sitting on top of Mount Diablo

Starlink charges a $600 equipment purchase fee due at the time of order. Refurbished equipment may be available for around $400, but that’s still a huge upfront cost compared with T-Mobile Home Internet. On top of that, a shipping and handling fee of around $20 may apply. Ouch, talk about insult to injury.

Despite the shipping fee, it will probably take longer to get your equipment than T-Mobile Home Internet -- up to two weeks. Setup appears to be fairly straightforward (check it out in the video below), but it’s still going to be more involved than T-Mobile Home Internet.

No data caps or contracts with either service

Nothing really to move the needle one way or the other here. Neither provider enforces data caps or requires a contract for service.

Granted, Starlink has its Priority plan with varying amounts of data, but there is still no cap on your total usage. Once the priority data pool is depleted, customers fall to the Standard (and still unlimited) data plan. 

Starlink vs. T-Mobile Home Internet availability

Choosing an internet provider starts with what’s available in your area . Regardless of how “good” a provider is, if they’re not available in your area, it doesn’t matter. Starlink has the availability advantage over T-Mobile Home Internet and basically every other non-satellite provider.

According to the most recent FCC data , Starlink is available to 99.6% of US households. While a few pockets across the US aren’t yet serviceable for Starlink, the biggest areas that lack availability are in west-central New Mexico and along the Virginia-West Virginia border. For the most part, Starlink is immediately available everywhere else.

T-Mobile Home Internet’s availability has rapidly increased, and there’s no reason to expect the ISP will slow down anytime soon. Still, nationwide availability sits at just under 58% as of June 2023, per the FCC. Availability is particularly low in the western states of Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming -- states where Starlink indicates its fastest speeds are available.

Even in areas largely serviceable for T-Mobile Home Internet, availability can vary by address and the current network capacity. As a result, home internet service may not be available, even if you can get 5G on your phone .

Starlink is best for mobile home internet

Along the lines of availability, Starlink also offers Mobility internet service intended for “RVs, nomads and campers” that allows you to take your internet connection essentially anywhere.

There is currently no mobile home internet service from T-Mobile Home Internet, and attempting to move your service without notifying T-Mobile may violate the terms of service.

Starlink vs. T-Mobile Home Internet customer satisfaction

Both providers are fairly new to the home internet market, so there's limited historical data tracking customer satisfaction trends from Starlink or T-Mobile Home Internet. That said, both providers seem to be off to a good start.

In its second year to include T-Mobile Home Internet in its annual report and first year to distinguish fiber from non-fiber providers, the American Customer Satisfaction Index gave the ISP a score of 73/100. The score, a two-point increase year over year, was well above the average for non-fiber providers (66) and took the top spot in the category, followed by AT&T (72) and Sparklight (71). 

Starlink isn’t included in ACSI data, but an Ookla Speedtest Intelligence report from the first quarter of 2023 gives insight into customer reception and satisfaction. Data from the report shows that Starlink had a significantly higher Net Promoter Score (a study of how likely a customer is to recommend a service) than the averaged score from all other ISPs despite having slower median download speeds. Starlink outperformed other ISPs exceptionally well in nonmetropolitan settings, which makes sense as the service is geared toward rural internet users.

Starlink vs. T-Mobile Home Internet recap

Since entering the broadband space, Starlink and T-Mobile Home Internet have improved high-speed availability and connectivity, particularly in areas where options have long been (and still are) highly limited.

While both providers provide significant upgrades in speed and reliability compared with other rural internet services, T-Mobile Home Internet would be my preferred choice if given the option of the two. T-Mobile Home Internet is considerably cheaper than Starlink, upfront and month to month, while service is potentially faster and easier to start.

T-Mobile Home Internet isn’t available everywhere, however. In areas where T-Mobile Home Internet doesn't yet reach, Starlink is likely to be the best option for high-speed internet compared with geostationary satellite internet (Hughesnet, Viasat) or DSL internet.

Starlink vs. T-Mobile Home Internet FAQs

Starlink and T-Mobile Home Internet match up fairly evenly regarding speed, data caps and contracts. Starlink’s main advantage over T-Mobile Home Internet is availability, as the satellite ISP is available nationwide, whereas T-Mobile Home Internet currently covers just over half of US households. 

Where both providers are available, T-Mobile Home Internet will be the cheapest. Service starts at half the cost of Starlink’s cheapest plan, and there are no equipment fees, saving customers $400 to $600 or more in upfront costs compared with Starlink.

Is Starlink or T-Mobile Home Internet faster?

Starlink’s fixed home internet advertises a speed range of 25 to 100Mbps or 45 to 220Mbps, depending on your chosen service tier. T-Mobile Home Internet has a slightly faster download speed range, 72 to 245Mbps.

Location, network congestion and other factors impact actual speeds from both providers, so Starlink may be faster in some locations while T-Mobile Home Internet is faster in others. 

Starlink’s Priority plan could deliver faster speeds and better reliability by giving users network precedence over Standard users, eliminating or mitigating slowed speeds due to network congestion. T-Mobile Home Internet doesn't offer a similar service tier, so customers may be more likely to experience speed issues during peak usage times or in areas with many users relying on the network.

Does T-Mobile use Starlink for internet?

Not for home internet. T-Mobile announced plans in 2022 to partner with Starlink to expand its mobile connectivity to remote locations beyond the reach of T-Mobile’s network. SpaceX launched the first set of satellites for T-Mobile use earlier this year.

Does bad weather affect Starlink or T-Mobile Home Internet?

Starlink and T-Mobile Home Internet are less susceptible to service disruptions due to bad weather than traditional, geostationary satellite internet service. Still, heavy cloud coverage, rain or other severe weather conditions can interfere with Starlink signals. Additionally, snow or ice accumulation on the satellite dish could impact service. 

Internet signals from T-Mobile Home Internet have a shorter distance to travel and are far less susceptible to service disruptions during bouts of bad weather.

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Musings from a Starlink user

Starlink travel case

I was fascinated to see that there is a very active aftermarket for travel cases for Starlink systems.  A typical aftermarket travel case for a Starlink system is nothing more than an enormous Pelican case with suitable foam inserts.  The Starlink company itself, however, has made available a purpose-built travel case for the rectangular-antenna Starlink system.  The travel case is well suited to its purpose, as I will discuss. 

The travel case from Starlink is constructed like a top-of-the-line carbon-fiber-shell suitcase.  One benefit of the use of a carbon-fiber shell is that the resulting travel case is much lighter in weight than the thick and very heavy polypropylene body of an equivalent Pelican case.

Just like a top-of-the-line suitcase, the travel case has an extremely sturdy two-runner zipper.

Well-shaped hard foam inserts provide stowing locations for the router, the power cord, the ethernet adapter, the antenna cable, the antenna base, and the (rectangular) antenna itself.  Provided with the case are two unexplained fabric bags.  My guess is that the larger fabric bag is meant for the antenna cable, and that the smaller fabric bag is meant for the power cable.  (The ethernet adapter can fit into this smaller fabric bag, along with the power cable.)  The reason for my guess about the intended use of the two fabric bags is that neither fabric bag is sized for the router or for the antenna base or for the antenna itself.  So the only thing left is to use the larger fabric bag for the antenna cable and to use the smaller fabric bag for the power cable (and of course the ethernet adapter).

The travel case, like all other Starlink accessories, comes with a nonverbal instruction sheet.  Step 1 is portrayed as placing the power cable and the router into the case.  It is easy enough to work out where the router needs to go.  One is, however, left to conjecture as to which of several candidate locations are intended for the power cord.   (And as mentioned above, the instruction sheet is silent as to the intended use of either of the provided fabric bags.)  Also unstated is where the ethernet adapter is intended to go.  As mentioned above, I chose to put the ethernet adapter into the same fabric bag as the power cord, and I selected the smaller of the two fabric bags for this purpose.

Step 2 invites the user to place the antenna base and the antenna cable into the case.  (As mentioned above, the instruction sheet is silent as to the use of the larger fabric bag, but from context the only sensible use for it is to carry the antenna cable.)  One works out that there is no choice but to sequence things so that the antenna cable (in its bag) is inserted first, and only after that can the antenna base be inserted.  Above right is a photograph showing the result after steps 1 and 2 have been carried out.  (In the photograph you can see the foam sheet of the next step.)

Step 3 says to flip into place a sturdy foam sheet.  This sheet ends up located between the antenna base and the antenna itself.

Step 4 says to lower the antenna into place on the foam sheet.

Conspicuous by its absence in this instruction sheet is the crucial step of having previously placed the antenna into “stow” mode .  If the user were to fail to place the antenna into “stow” mode, then an over-enthusiastic effort to push the antenna into the case would risk damaging the motor drive of the antenna.

How does one place the antenna into “stow” mode?  The only documented way to do this is to fiddle around with the smart phone app until you can find the slider for “stow” mode, and then you slide the slider.  If you are doing this indoors, after having taken the system out of service, you will find that you need to go through a rather tedious series of steps, including:

• assuming the router was previously in bypass mode, power-cycling the router three times to force a factory reset to take the router out of bypass mode;
• fiddle with your smart phone to connect to the default wifi network on the router;
• click around in your smart phone to insist that you really do want to connect to the router wifi network, despite its lack of Internet connectivity;
• quickly jump over to the Starlink app, and decline its invitation to set up a new and different wifi network name and password;
• try to get the app into “local” mode; and
• operate the “stow” mode slider.

As a general matter, by the time you get part way through the fussing with the Starlink app to try to reach the “stow” mode slider, the smart phone will have abandoned the wifi network of the router (because the router has no Internet connectivity), and the smart phone have switched over to some other wifi network.  This will make it impossible to actually get the antenna into “stow” mode.  In my case it took four tries of this tedious series of steps, to get the antenna into “stow” mode.

It is only later that I learned of two undocumented ways to get the antenna into “stow” mode:

• Way #1.  Apply power to the antenna.  Gently place the antenna face down.  Allow about a minute to pass.  The antenna will apparently figure out that it is wrong-side up, will then start counting to see if a minute passes, and will then put itself into “stow” mode.  After this happens, unplug the antenna cable from the antenna.
• Way #2.  Approach the antenna at a time when it does not have the antenna cable connected.  Gently place the antenna face down.  Now (this is the scary part) gently push the mast very very slowly toward the antenna.  This will force the actuator motor to run backwards until the antenna mast is in the “stow” position.

I do not recommend Way #2 unless you are desperate, and even then only if you have the self-control to be extremely gentle and slow in your pushing the mast toward the antenna.

Maybe the writers of the (nonverbal) instruction sheet assume that if you try to carry out step 4 without having previously set the antenna into “stow” mode, then the attempt to force the (unstowed) antenna into its intended location in the travel case would work out to the same as Way #2.

After the antenna has been dropped into place on top of the flat foam sheet, it sticks up above the edge of the open travel case.  When I saw this, I worried that maybe I had not stowed things well enough into their respective recesses.  And the answer turns out to be “yes”.  One must return to Step 2, and one must redouble one’s efforts to push the antenna base much further into the foam recesses than originally appeared to be possible.  Only after this does the antenna rest in a position that is flush with the edge of the open travel case.

Unstated in the instruction sheet, but perhaps clear from context, is that the next step is to close the travel case and zip the travel case shut.

Unlike a typical Pelican case, this Starlink travel case has not one but two handles.  One is on the top of the case, and the other is on the side.  Backpack straps are also provided, along with a belly strap to keep the two main straps in place.  Most striking is the provision of serious padding across the entire “backpack” face of the travel case, with ventilation channels formed into the padding, so that your back can “breathe” at least a little when you are using the travel case as a backpack.

The travel case, fully loaded, weighs about 21 pounds or about 10 kilograms.

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F.C.C. Votes to Restore Net Neutrality Rules

Commissioners voted along party lines to revive the rules that declare broadband as a utility-like service that could be regulated like phones and water.

By Cecilia Kang

Cecilia Kang has reported on net neutrality since it was first introduced during the Obama administration.

The Federal Communications Commission voted on Thursday to restore regulations that expand government oversight of broadband providers and aim to protect consumer access to the internet, a move that will reignite a long-running battle over the open internet.

Known as net neutrality , the regulations were first put in place nearly a decade ago under the Obama administration and are aimed at preventing internet service providers like Verizon or Comcast from blocking or degrading the delivery of services from competitors like Netflix and YouTube. The rules were repealed under President Donald J. Trump, and have proved to be a contentious partisan issue over the years while pitting tech giants against broadband providers.

In a 3-to-2 vote along party lines, the five-member commission appointed by President Biden revived the rules that declare broadband a utility-like service regulated like phones and water. The rules also give the F.C.C. the ability to demand broadband providers report and respond to outages, as well as expand the agency’s oversight of the providers’ security issues.

Jessica Rosenworcel, the chairwoman of the F.C.C. and a Democrat, said the rules reflected the importance of high-speed internet as the main mode of communications for many Americans.

“Every consumer deserves internet access that is fast, open and fair,” Ms. Rosenworcel said. “This is common sense.”

Broadband providers are expected to sue to try to overturn the reinstated rules.

“This is a nonissue for broadband consumers, who have enjoyed an open internet for decades,” said Jonathan Spalter, the president of a broadband lobbying group, USTelecom. The organization said it would “pursue all available options, including in the courts.”

In a letter sent to Ms. Rosenworcel this week, dozens of leading Republican lawmakers warned that regulating broadband providers like a utility would harm the growth of the telecommunications industry.

The core purpose of the regulations is to prevent internet service providers from controlling the quality of consumers’ experience when they visit websites and use services online. When the rules were established, Google, Netflix and other online services warned that broadband providers had the incentive to slow down or block access to their services. Consumer and free speech groups supported this view.

There have been few examples of blocking or slowing of sites, which proponents of net neutrality say is largely because of fear that the companies would invite scrutiny if they did so. And opponents say the rules could lead to more and unnecessary government oversight of the industry.

“The internet in America has thrived in the absence of 1930s command-and-control regulation by the government,” said Brendan Carr, a Republican commissioner.

A decade ago, the potential new regulations prompted raucous demonstrations. At the time, telecom companies were losing business to online streaming services. Sites like Facebook, Google and Amazon feared they would be forced to pay telecom companies for better delivery of their services.

During the Trump administration, the F.C.C. rolled back net neutrality . Republican lawmakers and F.C.C. commissioners have balked that the rules were unnecessary and government overreach.

Democrats have argued they are critical to consumer protection. In the vacuum of federal regulations, several states including California and Washington created their own net neutrality laws.

Cecilia Kang reports on technology and regulatory policy and is based in Washington D.C. She has written about technology for over two decades. More about Cecilia Kang

What happens if you don't use airplane mode on your flight? Here's the answer to that, and more common travel questions.

Posted: April 25, 2024 | Last updated: April 28, 2024

What is airplane mode, anyway? 5 travel questions about flying with phones answered

In many ways our phones have become the keys to our lives. We use them to bank, take photos of our families, and share those pictures on social media. We use them to buy everything from clothes to groceries to gasoline. And there's a good chance your phone holds an entire archive of every for-friends'-eyes-only texts you've ever sent. 

Even if we're planning to unplug on a trip, it feels almost unthinkable to leave our phone at home. We use them to check in for flights, act as our boarding passes, book ride-shares or plan bus routes, find restaurants, check museum hours, or just kill time. But given all the extra phone usage that comes with travel, we're presented with myriad new concerns. What's safe and what isn't? Can you trust this public Wi-Fi network? Our pocket-sized devices may feel even more necessary outside of our comfort zones (not to mention time zones), so protecting them and all the info they hold seems even more critical when we're away from home.

In partnership with  Visible , Stacker looked at recommendations from manufacturers and consumer experts for smart and safe ways to fly with your phone. Can you use an unprotected Wi-Fi network at a cafe? Should you trust the chargers on the plane? Find out the answers to those questions and more.

Is it safe to use airport Wi-Fi?

The fear of public Wi-Fi hotspots is something of a relic , according to experts who spoke with the Washington Post. These days, most reputable websites and apps use HTTPS. This protocol encrypts data, making it very hard for potential digital eavesdroppers to spy on you. Before leaving home, make the most of HTTPS by setting your web browser to use only that connection type.

Check to ensure your web activity uses HTTPS by looking for these letters at the start of any URL or website address. Pages that start with HTTP are not encrypted. It's more difficult to tell whether mobile apps encrypt their traffic, so surfing for entertainment is better than accessing sensitive information while out and about.

If you're checking particularly sensitive information—say, your bank account—you can upgrade your security with a trustworthy virtual private network. VPNs further encrypt your digital traffic, making it virtually impossible for any eavesdropper to access it. Still, before connecting to an unsecured public Wi-Fi, use your mobile network to turn your phone into a hotspot.

What happens if you don't use airplane mode?

The Federal Aviation Administration bans cell phone calls on flights because of how the phone's signals interact with the plane's electronics. However, you can still use your phone if you put it in the aptly titled "airplane mode." This mode, which is standard on all modern smartphones, disables the phone's cellular connection as well as its Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities. 

It's worth keeping in mind that forgetting to turn on airplane mode is extremely unlikely to endanger your flight. As it turns out, according to a 2017 survey by Allianz Global Assistance , 2 in 5 people report leaving their cell service enabled on flights, and there's no evidence signal interference from a cellphone has ever caused a crash. It's still best to listen to the airline's guidance regarding cell phone use in-flight.

Can you trust the chargers on the plane?

While not quite an out-of-date belief, " juice jacking "—a technique where a hacker uses public chargers to install spyware on your phone—is relatively unlikely, according to experts who spoke with the Washington Post. According to the FCC, cybersecurity experts warn that general public USB ports can have malware installed. If a public USB charging port prompts you to share data once you plug in your phone or mobile device, don't.

There are safer ways to charge your phone. Use your own charging cable and turn your phone off while it charges. If you want to be extra cautious, use a data-blocking adapter. These plugs connect to your USB cord and block its ability to transfer data, allowing you to charge safely.

How can you conserve your battery on a long flight?

If your phone is your boarding pass, your ride planner to your hotel, and credit card to pay for said hotel, you need it to be on. Airplane mode will save you some precious battery time by disabling a few energy-draining features of your phone. Even more useful are the battery-saving modes, which turn off certain features like email fetching or lower the phones brightness, that most phone manufacturers offer.

If you're still getting dinged with low-battery warnings, invest in a portable charger—a compact, spare power bank that can get you back to 100%.

What's with all the rules about lithium batteries?

If you've taken a flight recently, you've undoubtedly heard the rules about lithium batteries. For instance, if you check a bag with a lithium-battery-powered device, that device must be powered off. You must also keep any spare lithium batteries in your carry-on luggage.

The reason for all this? It's a lot more vital than keeping your phone in airplane mode. In the past five years, the number of fires related to lithium-ion batteries has jumped over 40% , according to a CBS News analysis of Federal Aviation Administration data. Before the next time you jet off, check the FAA's website for what to do with all your electronic devices.

Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.

This story originally appeared on Visible and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

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HIGH-SPEED INTERNET AROUND THE WORLD

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CONNECTIVITY WHERE YOU LEAST EXPECT IT

Streaming, video calls, online gaming, remote working and more are now possible in even the most remote locations thanks to the world’s most advanced internet system.

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Starlink requires an unobstructed view of the sky. Download the Starlink app to determine your best install location.

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Long term contracts prevent both you and Starlink from making sensible changes when necessary. With Starlink, it is a fair deal both ways. Starlink can adjust terms and pricing as needed, and you can cancel at any time, for any reason.

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Hands-on: The best iOS features to upgrade your travel experience [Video]

I was recently lucky enough to go on a great vacation where we spent eight days traveling across Europe. One of the things I noticed was just how helpful my iPhone was throughout this experience. Yes, we all know that we can use maps to help us navigate new cities and geographies. But did you know that you could convert currencies directly in the Notes or iMessage apps? Or that you could create a shared library so everyone on the trip can see all the pictures you took. I found over 25 iOS features that are specifically built into iOS to enhance and make your travels easier.

Check out our video below for a hands-on look and walkthrough of all the features mentioned!

Translation in iOS

Translation has to be one of the most important aspects of travel. We spent time in both Belgium and the Netherlands, and while there are many English-speaking people, it is great to quickly look up what certain words or phrases mean. Locals seem to appreciate that.

Now yes, Apple has created a dedicated iOS app called Translate that, by default, is on your phone. It’s extremely robust. It allows you to look up words and phrases quickly, you can use text or voice, and it even has a live conversational aspect to it. But the beauty of translation is that it is built in throughout all of your Apps in iOS

You can write out full paragraphs in iMessage and translate them to another language and send it off. You can take a picture of a sign and use Visual Look up to translate the text in your photos app and so much more. Watch our video above to see how it all works!

Currency & unit converters

Unless you are one of the few countries that uses the imperial system of measurement, you will need a unit converter to go from miles to kilometers, ounces to grams, or gallons to liters. Just like the translation app, there are currency and unit converters built right into you iPhone in most of its applications. For example, if someone sends you an iMessage to buy 2 kilograms worth of chicken, that unit of measure will be underlined. You can then long press it, and it will convert it to pounds and ounces right away so there is no discrepancy.

This is true of pretty much any unit of measure. Your iPhone can convert currencies in real time, it can convert temperature values and different units of measure as I mentioned. This works across all of your native Apple apps. You can use it in the Notes app, in iMessage, when taking a photo and so much more. This was a big save when I was ordering a steak at dinner and it was a grams!

Flight tracking

Similar to how the conversion works, you can also track flights in real-time in the same way. Now, this is very simple and gives you basic information. There are other apps like Flight Tracker and Flighty that allow you to create accounts, track the history of flights, and see airport data. But if you just want to get real-time info on when your plane is leaving, how far along the flight it is, and any delay information, all you need is your iPhone. If you are picking someone up from the airport, all they have to do is send you their flight number and, again, iMessage will underline that flight number and allow you to view the flight data and all the information needed!

Shared audio

Shared audio might have been our most used during the trip. My wife and I took two flights and seven trains during our travels. So to pass the time we wanted to watch movies or shows together on my iPad. Yes, we could have shared one AirPod each, and that would have been fine. But we both have a pair of AirPods Pro. This is where the Apple ecosystem magic comes into play. Apple products have a feature called Shared Audio, which does exactly what you think. It syncs audio to two different pairs of headsets where the audio source is coming from one device.

To set this up:

• Bring the other person’s AirPods close to your device.
• Open the Airpods Case
• The iPhone will ask if you want to connect the other person’s AirPods
• Boom, you are connected to someone else’s AirPods while being connected to yours as well

The other travel features

As I said, there are over 25 different iOS features that are built in to make your life easier when to comes to travel. Of course, other apps provide more features, but the ones that are built right into your phone are more than enough to help you get around a foreign country. From landmark visual look-ups to transit info in maps to shared notes to help keep itineraries between multiple people. Be sure to watch our video here to get a hands-on tutorial on how to get these features working for you!

What is your favorite iOS feature that no one talks about? Lets discuss in the comments below!

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Fernando Silva started off his professional career in the enterprise technology space with his primary focus being moving large organizations from onsite legacy technologies to a more modern cloud infrastructure. All the technologies he dealt with were mostly in the Microsoft arena but he was always a lover of Apple at heart.

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