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If you’re thinking about equipping your home with Starlink Internet, you should know what it will cost you
What Starlink costs
The company Starlink offers you Internet access via satellite. Starlink has its own satellites in space for this purpose. The main advantage of this is that the company can also offer its service in remote areas.
- Satellites: Starlink is a subdivision of SpaceX, Elon Musk’s space and rocket project. By 2027, 12,000 new satellites are to be in space for this service alone. In contrast to previous providers, these satellites are not at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers. Instead, they are only around 500 kilometers above the ground.
- Signal propagation time: Due to the low altitude of the satellites, this is significantly shorter than with comparable providers. Instead of 72,000 kilometers, the data signal only has to travel 1,000 kilometers to the ground station. This means that response times are significantly faster when setting up websites or gaming.
- Setup: The special hardware required costs 450 euros and shipping costs are sometimes added. In addition, a clear view of the sky is required for the setup. The standard Starlink dish is equipped with a 23 meter long cable that cannot be disconnected and can get in the way during installation. However, the dish can be placed in the garden or on the roof. Initial setup takes just five minutes and Starlink is fully operational after around twelve hours.
- Monthly costs: Compared to conventional providers, Starlink’s Internet access is significantly more expensive. The company charges 80 euros per month. In return, there is an unlimited data flat rate. However, the data rate fluctuates greatly, as the Starlink satellite dish connects to a new satellite every few minutes.
More information about Starlink
If you want to use the Starlink data flat rate, you should bear certain points in mind. There are both advantages and disadvantages to Elon Musk’s satellites.
- Number of satellites: Currently, around 2,280 of the planned 12,000 satellites are active and the uplink dishes are not yet distributed nationwide. However, there are already two stations in Germany. One in Usingen near Frankfurt and one in Aerzen near Hamelin.
- Starlink in Europe: In addition to Germany, Starlink is also available in the UK, Poland, France, Benelux and Switzerland. However, it is not available in Norway, northern Sweden or the Canary Islands. In future, a new type of satellite is to be used that no longer requires ground stations in every region of the world. The data will be distributed in space among the satellites by laser
- Advantages: If you live in a remote area or the Internet is poorly developed in your area, Starlink satellite Internet may be worthwhile for you. If you mainly use the Internet to watch streams, series and movies, you should have no problems with the connection. In addition, the amount of data you can download is unlimited.
- Disadvantages: One major disadvantage is the high price that Starlink demands. If the Internet is well developed in your region, satellite Internet is not really worth it. In addition, it can be annoying when gaming that the dish connects to a different satellite every few minutes
