Is it useful to acquire something like Starlink, so that you can stay connected to the internet even during power cuts or large-scale network problems? Many experts highlight the advantages of such internet access via satellites. But do you really need it or is it an unnecessary luxury?
The technology behind Starlink
The technology behind the system interests me. Currently, more than 6,500 satellites are orbiting the Earth – at lower altitudes than traditional satellites, which enables significantly faster connections.
How it works
With your own Starlink satellite dish and router, you can pick up signals everywhere, even in the forests or in nature. Unlike complex satellite installations from the past, the dish aligns itself automatically via an accompanying app. The company also offers a compact mini version for on the go.
SpaceX, the parent company of Starlink, says that you can expect an internet speed of approximately 100 Mbps. That is comparable to a good fibre-optic connection. The latency is around 20-50 milliseconds, which is acceptable for most applications.
What those with experience say
“What do you lot think of the Starlink mini in emergency situations?” This question was posted by user Glass_Raisin1939 on Reddit. In the responses to this post, we came across various reactions. When Hurricane Ian passed through the American state of Florida at the end of September 2022 and caused enormous devastation, it remained relatively free from damage because it was well prepared.
Internet during Hurricane Ian
“It was a relatively new neighbourhood with a ‘green’ focus, which got its electricity via solar energy. Many residents also had Starlink. For about a week, that community remained the only one in the area with reliable power and communication. The major mobile internet providers had also placed temporary transmission towers in the rest of the area, but these quickly became overloaded.”
Whilst some survivalists see Starlink as the new way to stay connected and keep up to date with information during emergency situations, others find it unnecessary. “I would still hesitate to rely on Starlink for such situations”, someone writes on the forum. “For local communication, I would lean more towards amateur radios. And if there’s a major emergency, I only need to let my family know that I’m alright.”
Independence
I see Starlink primarily as a valuable tool in specific situations. According to analysts, there will be an increasing need for satellite communication on smartphones. With the latest iPhones, you can already connect to a satellite to text emergency services, request breakdown assistance, text friends and family and share your location whilst you’re without a network and have no mobile or Wi-Fi coverage.
Independent of fixed infrastructure
Traditional internet providers are dependent on cables, transmission towers and ground stations. In the event of failure or damage, you have nothing to fall back on. Internet via satellite connection has the advantage of being less vulnerable to local disruptions.
For those living off-grid, this opens up new possibilities. You are no longer limited to locations with existing internet infrastructure. As long as you have a clear view of the sky, you get access to broadband internet.
Disadvantages and limitations you need to know
Of course, Starlink is not a miracle solution either. There are a number of limitations you need to take into account.
Weather dependency
“Heavy rain or wind can also affect your satellite internet connection, potentially leading to lower speeds or a rare outage”. Snow build-up can also disrupt the signal, although the dish can melt snow.
Varying performance
The biggest shortcoming is the fluctuation in speeds and primarily the latency. Due to the distances and speeds of the satellites, there is a latency of 50 ms. For some business applications, this is problematic.
Comparison with alternatives
4G and 5G connections
For mobile use, 4G is often cheaper and easier to install. In the Netherlands, 4G has been rolled out particularly well, with good nationwide coverage. Abroad, this is often more limited, with poorer reception, data limits and potentially different costs.
For off-grid residents, however, 4G can be problematic due to limited coverage in remote locations and data limits that become expensive with intensive use.
Traditional satellite internet
Existing satellite services such as Tooway cost thousands of euros per month for minimal speeds. For an amount of €2,000 to €3,000 per month for unlimited internet, you get a maximum speed of 0.5 mbit. Starlink offers considerably better performance for a fraction of this price.