Starlink showcases new Router 4 hub for LEO satellite broadband service

Satellite broadband service Starlink has finally published details of their new Wi-Fi 7 capable home wireless “Router 4” (UTR-261) hub on their website, which largely confirms the details revealed in last month’s FCC filings (here) and gives us a better look at the device itself. A new video showcase has also been shared via social media.

Starlink currently has around 11,140 satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) – mostly at altitudes of between c.340-550km. Residential users in the UK pay from £40 a month for the 100Mbps unlimited data plan, which also promises uploads of c.15-35Mbps and low latency connectivity (c.20ms). Faster packages exist at greater cost, while more restrictive (data capped) options are available for roaming (e.g. £55 per month for 100GB of data).

The new Router 4 device, which appears to be in the same line as the current Router Mini (UTR-251), was initially summarised via two pages on Starlink’s website yesterday (credits PC Mag). But for some reason both of those pages were taken offline earlier this morning, although we do believe the spec sheet they displayed at the time to be accurate, given past leaks and regulatory filings.

According to parent company SpaceX, the new kit will be their “best-performing router yet” and delivers “faster peak speeds, faster client connections, and increased range. It includes two Ethernet ports, an LED indicator, a factory reset button, and water-resistant port cover“. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 also means “better performance in congested environments, as well as tri-band radios for enhanced mesh performance.”

Router 4 Specifications (combined lists)

➤ IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be standards
➤ Wi-Fi 7 chipset
➤ Tri-band radios (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) for mesh
➤ 4×4 (2.4 GHz) and 4×5 (5 GHz), MU-MIMO, OFDMA
➤ WPA2 and WPA3 security
➤ Two ethernet ports with water-resistant port covers (WAN from Dual PoE power supply, plus LAN)
➤ LED status indicator on the front, bottom center
➤ Factory reset button
➤ Wireless Coverage: up to 325 m² (3,500 ft²) [the Router Mini could only do 2,000 ft²]
➤ Connect up to 510 devices
➤ Operating Temperature: -22°F to +122°F (-30°C to +50°C)
➤ IP56 rated (water resistant), configured for indoor use
➤ Dimensions: 46 × 203 × 115 mm (1.8 in × 8.00 in × 4.5 in)
➤ Weight: 0.4 kg (0.9 lbs)

Compatibility:

➤ Router 4 is the main Wi-Fi router on Dual PoE kits (Standard 4 Upgrade Kit and kits that ship with Router 4). It is powered over ethernet from the Dual PoE power supply. The Upgrade Kit does not include a wall power brick.

➤ Router 4 can be used as the main router in a Starlink mesh network. Router Mini, Router 3, and Router 2 can join as mesh nodes. Third-party mesh systems are not supported.

➤ Router 4 cannot replace the main Gen 2 router that is connected to the dish without extra hardware, because that router also powers the dish. To use Router 4 as the Wi-Fi router on a Gen 2 kit, use a Starlink ethernet adapter, then put the Gen 2 router in bypass mode.

On the flip side we couldn’t see any mention of a USB-C port and, as previously reported, Starlink has opted not to harness the 6GHz Wi-Fi band in this kit and that’s a bit disappointing. Last night Starlink did however publish a showcase video of the new Router 4 via X, which states that it will be “available soon in select areas“.