Mobile Internet for Nomads – Starlink Internet for RVs and Boats
We are at a point in society where most of us can’t live without the internet. As a content creator, I basically live online, meaning I’m always looking for reliable mobile internet service providers, which can be a challenge when you’re always on the road.
Elon Musk might have the answer! In 2019, SpaceX launched Starlink Internet by deploying sixty satellites. Starlink is Elon Musk's very ambitious effort to blanket the skies with thousands of satellites to provide global internet coverage. These are low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which means low latency and ultrafast download speed.
According to RV Mobile Internet, satellites in a low orbit need to be constantly in motion. This means internet coverage moves from one satellite to the next. Therefore, you need several satellites in coordinated orbits (shells) to stay connected.
Starlink’s early days
Space News reported that SpaceX has launched 2,137 Starlink satellites into space since 2019. In January, Elon Musk tweeted that 1,469 satellites were active, with 272 “moving to operational orbits.” Starlink has had two versions in its first-generation launch – v1.0 and v1.5.
The v1.0 satellites relied on ground stations to operate because they could not communicate. As such, coverage in places with no nearby ground stations was nonexistent. However, the v1.5 satellites have laser communication. This means even lower latency and less reliance on ground stations. This also means RVers are more likely to access the internet in the wilderness.
A map showing all the satellites Starlink had in motion during the beta phase in 2021, indicated by blue dots. The orange dots show ground stations that were active at that time. Source: Starlink SX
Disadvantages for mobile customers
While the download speed and low latency are impressive, Starlink is not yet built for travel. Users only get internet coverage within a certain distance from their registered address. So, it may not be the mobile internet solution for those on the road or out at sea.
Starlink internet received mixed reviews in its beta phase, with users reporting temporary blackouts when the satellites were handing off the connection from one to the other. Others commended the 300Mps download speed when they were in range. The blackouts may pose a challenge for people who work online if they continue into the next generations. So, this may not be the be-all and end-all solution.
The company needs licenses to operate in every country, but they are yet to reach internet world domination. If you’re on a multinational RV trip, you might lose connectivity because Starlink is not yet licensed in other countries. Even in licensed countries, you would be too far from your fixed address either way. So, if you’re sailing across the world, Starlink may not be ready for you quite yet.
The road ahead
SpaceX has applied for a federal license to deploy approximately 30,000 more satellites into space for a second-generation launch. This is quite an expensive effort. The project has cost approximately US$10 billion, with a projected profit of up to US$30 billion. According to the Starlink website, the goal is to provide internet access to remote and rural areas worldwide.
This is by no means a replacement for existing internet providers, but those of us who live on the road or at sea could benefit from it when it reaches its full potential. If you’re an RVer thinking of signing up for Starlink, I would recommend waiting until more satellites are in orbit.
As always, we can't wait to share more of our adventures with you.
Check out the video below for more info on Starlink internet for RVs and boats:
