Starlink Internet

[Obie]

It's pay as you go or sign-up for a subscription.
It won't be cheap and it's only going to be available in Equatorial Afrika.

[terracore]

I got an email from Starlink today:

Starlink is now available for order to a limited number of users in your coverage area. Placing your order now will hold your place in line for future service. Orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.

During beta, users can expect to see data speeds vary from 50Mb/s to 150Mb/s and latency from 20ms to 40ms in most locations over the next several months as we enhance the Starlink system. There will also be brief periods of no connectivity at all.

As we launch more satellites, install more ground stations and improve our networking software, data speed, latency and uptime will improve dramatically.

The Starlink team will provide periodic updates on availability as we launch more satellites and expand our coverage area. Depending on your location, some orders may take 6 months or more to fulfill.

To check availability for your location, visit Starlink.com and re-enter your service address. Thank you for your interest in Starlink and your continued support!

(after reentering service address):

Order Starlink

Starlink is targeting coverage in your area in 2022. You will receive a notification once your Starlink is ready to ship.
Hardware $499.00
Service $99.00 /mo
Shipping & Handling $50.00
Est. Tax $25.87
Due Today $99.00
Fully refundable. Depending on location, some orders may take 6 months or more to fulfill.

[blizzardwizard]

wow so equatorial Africa gets internet before us? I was mad they didn't pick Hawaii and went to Canada/ northern US but I forgave them because it's business, but Africa is too much. Hearing the claims made to user Terracore I must say it sounds good and I think Elon will make more cheddar here that Africa.

My opinion on "the internet problem" is that Hawaii weather is way too wild, and the service area too big for anything but the worst thieving cable companies to try and make money. Somewhere in hawaii(islands) perhaps even a few if you're facebook, there are local servers for everything like netflix hbo amazon anything big like that, complete copys. the problem is still just connecting your home. The satellite does elegantly deliver a solution.

[wahica]

Web says beta test was only between 45-53deg N Lat. 
With Big Island at ¬20degN Lat might be a while before we see impact or competitive speeds?
Which company is clocking the fastest speed seen in Hawaiian Acres? I expect still stuck with (phone/cable) hardlines or 4G LTE until 5G shows up?
Haven't seen any BI schedules for 5G yet.

[Obie]

The equatorial Africa is a different deal. Starlink started with the northern latitudes and as they launch more satellites they will service Hawaii.

[kalakoa]

Which company is clocking the fastest speed seen in Hawaiian Acres?

Gigabit fiber from Telcom.

[MediaBaron]

Elon Musk grew up in South Africa so maybe some preferential coverage for the continent there.

[terracore]

Starlink has a "deal" in our area to get the equipment for $249 (plus $20 delivery plus taxes).  Their pricing and deals are address-specific so you'll have to put an address in to verify.  Read the fine print about where the service will work if you plan on being mobile with it.  It requires a clear view of the sky.

They have a newer plan called "Residential Backup 50" which is intended to be a "backup internet" for people who already have internet.  It's $50/month for 50GB but it can be "paused" meaning you only pay for when you need to use it, though I think you have to pay for a full month each time you unpause it.  Download speeds are listed as 178-282 Mbps in upper Orchidland.  Extra GB beyond the included 50 are reportedly $1 each.  This pretty much makes using cellular as a backup internet option obsolete unless you need maximum mobility (and there is cell service where you are).

Otherwise it's $120/month for their unlimited "Residential" plan.  They advertise not having any contracts so one can switch without penalties, however their plans can change over time so if you switch away from a sweet deal it might not be able to switch back if they no longer offer that plan.

Either way there are no long term contracts and a 30-day money back guarantee.

[Obie]

Before purchasing starlink, you need to download their app and do a survey of the sky. A clear view of the sky is a lot of sky.
If you have a Puna jungle lot it's not going to work.

A big advantage is that if you hook it up to a UPS it won't quit at the beginning of a power outage giving you a chance to figure out the reason for the power outage.
With spectrum you lose internet immediately.

There is also a Starlink mini now that you can take with you camping or anywhere you want to go.

I use one in Ohio and to get the best signal I had to use a 20ft flagpole bolted to my dock which extends 25 ft out into a lake.

[terracore]

Before purchasing starlink, you need to download their app and do a survey of the sky. A clear view of the sky is a lot of sky.
If you have a Puna jungle lot it's not going to work.

A big advantage is that if you hook it up to a UPS it won't quit at the beginning of a power outage giving you a chance to figure out the reason for the power outage.
With spectrum you lose internet immediately.

There is also a Starlink mini now that you can take with you camping or anywhere you want to go.

I use one in Ohio and to get the best signal I had to use a 20ft flagpole bolted to my dock which extends 25 ft out into a lake.

I've seen a lot of starlink installations in Puna including many where the jungle comes pretty much right up to the roof it's mounted on.  They have over 7,000 satellites now and adding about 22 per month so the amount of "clear sky" one needs for a good connection continues to shrink.  I've read that 50% is adequate in most places, but I did use the app and got a 97% reading behind our house.  I'm sure getting up on a ladder to the roof would clear the last 3%.

That mini looks cool but it needs to come down in price before it's in my budget.