Starlink Tests New Global Roaming Broadband Service

SpaceX’s Starlink service, which uses a mega constellation of compact satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to deliver ultrafast broadband speeds, has invited an unknown number of customers to trial a new “Global Roaming” service for the hefty price of $200 per month (c.£165) – plus $599 for the hardware.

At present, UK customers typically pay from £75 per month, plus £460 for the regular home kit (standard dish, router etc.) and £40 for shipping on the “Standard” package, which promises unlimited usage, fast latency times of 25-50ms, advertised downloads of c. 50-200Mbps and uploads of c.5-15Mbps (speeds may change as the network grows).

By comparison, the new Global Roaming service is clearly a bit more expensive, can currently only take payment in US Dollars and its “global” coverage might be hobbled by the fact that Starlink doesn’t have regulatory approval in every country yet. Despite this, the company states that the new service will make use of their “inter-satellite links (aka space lasers) to provide connectivity around the globe“.

However, there may be some caveats to consider, since Starlink warns their global service will be “intermixed with brief periods of poor connectivity, or none at all“. But this is expected to “improve dramatically over time”. In addition, it reads as if existing customers may need to pay again to get some new hardware (i.e. you can’t use your existing kit).

The new service is not to be confused with their existing ‘Portability’ add-on or ‘RV’ (Motorhomes) package, which are restricted to specific countries or continents.