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Starlink for RVs Product Launched on LEO Satellite Broadband Service

Tuesday, May 24th, 2022 (8:29 am) - Score 1,008
Starlink-for-RVs

SpaceX has informed customers that they’ve launched a new Starlink for RVs (Recreational Vehicles) product via their constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) based ultrafast broadband ISP satellites, which is more than just a combination of their regular package with the new Portability Add-on attached by default.

Starlink currently has around 2,400 LEOs in orbit and their initial plan is to deploy a total of 4,425 by 2024. Customers in the UK currently pay from £89 per month, plus £55 for shipping and £529 for the kit (dish, router etc.). But for that you can expect unlimited usage, fast latency times of 20-40ms, downloads of c. 50-250Mbps and uploads of c.10-20Mbps (speeds may change as the network grows).

NOTE: Starlink’s compact satellites weigh about 260Kg each and orbit the Earth at an altitude of c.550 kilometres (vs 35,000km for the traditional GSO platforms).

The latest change is that the ISP has launched a new package specifically for RVs – Starlink for RVs, which is priced the same and has roughly the same sort of caveats as their recently launched ‘Portability‘ add-on for existing customers (£114 per month!) – when combined with the regular package.

The key difference here is that existing customers, even those with the Portability add-on, still needed to have a stable home address location (with limited flexibility for changes). By comparison, Starlink for RVs does not require this and there’s no waitlist for the kit – a surprise given that some people on the regular service still have a long wait. But the catch is that the service performance may suffer.

Copy of Starlink’s Customer Email

Starlink is now offering Starlink for RVs at any destination where Starlink provides active coverage. At this time, there is no waitlist – all orders will be shipped shortly after the order is placed, including to “Waitlist” areas on the Starlink Availability Map.

Users can expect high speed, low latency internet in areas marked “Available“, and notably slower speeds during events with many collocated users, or during hours of peak usage in areas marked as “Waitlist”, where residential users are prioritized. Prioritizing residential makes it possible to offer Starlink for RVs immediately with minimal impact to the most loaded portions of the network.

Users can pause and un-pause service at any time. You can order directly at Starlink.com/rv.

Starlink for RVs is not meant for use while in-motion. To learn more about Starlink for RVs, please read our FAQ page or updated Terms of Service.

The Starlink team

A quick glance at the FAQ page reveals a nice summary of the key differences between RVs and Portability. But at this point, the service has already become incredibly expensive and paying £114 per month for a “Best Effort” service may not be so attractive, but each to their own.

Starlink for RVs

  • Pause Service: Provides the ability to pause and un-pause service, allowing users to customize their service to their individual travel needs. 
  • No Waitlist: At this time, there is no waitlist – all orders will be shipped shortly after the order is placed. Supply is subject to network and equipment availability. 
  • Best Effort Service: Network resources are always de-prioritized for Starlink for RVs users compared to other Starlink services, resulting in degraded service and slower speeds in congested areas and during peak hours. Stated speeds and uninterrupted use of the service are not guaranteed. Service degradation will be most extreme in “Waitlist” areas on the Starlink Availability Map during peak hours. See Starlink Specification for expected performance here.   
  • Example Use Cases:
    • I want to travel with my RV.
    • I want to go on a weekend camping trip.
    • I have another home that I use for one season a year.

Residential Starlink + Portability

  • Prioritized Service Address: Starlink prioritizes network resources for users at their registered Service Address. The Service Address on your account will receive priority whether Portability is enabled or not. When you bring your Starlink to a new location with Portability, this prioritization may result in degraded service, particularly at times of peak usage or network congestion. Service degradation will be most extreme in “Waitlist” areas on the Starlink Availability Map during peak hours.  
  • Multi-Purpose Internet: Starlink with Portability allows you to use the same Starlink for both your home internet and when you travel.
  • Example Use Case:
    • I want Starlink at my home and travel with Starlink a few months a year.
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Mark-Jackson
By Mark Jackson
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook and .
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Comments
4 Responses
  1. Avatar photo simon says:

    I have been thinking about doing this for a while but I didn’t want to risk the roaming not working over here. Now this has launched the map looks good – apart from (it seems) 2 cells in London…

    https://www.starlink.com/map?source=rv

    So I think this is worth it – because sitting in a field on 3mbps 4G sucks!

    1. Avatar photo simon says:

      Sorry I didn’t see those 2 cells mean waiting list – but with 3Gbps available in the ground who is going to want to wait for Starlink in London? Assuming those people are still on the list but have FTTP now.

    2. Avatar photo NE555 says:

      I wonder if the reason they aren’t selling in those two cells covering London is because they’re already oversubscribed in that area.

      Or perhaps there’s a ground station nearby, and they don’t want customer traffic to interfere with it?

    3. Avatar photo blah says:

      given the considerable price difference, I think I could put up with a few megs on 4G. Added bonus of continuing not to fund Elon Musk as well.

      I guess there are use cases even in London, such as a backup internet service (if for some reason you can’t use 4G/5G) and of course for people with more money than sense. I know a couple of people who have it outside of London despite living in towns with two FTTP options, 5G coverage and Virgin, they’re curious about it rather than reliant on it

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