Starlink Roam: Seamless Internet On Boats?

Starlink is a satellite internet service provided by SpaceX, which has been a game-changer for mobile internet for RVers and boaters. Starlink's low earth orbit system provides a lot more bandwidth, coverage, and better performance than traditional geostationary satellite internet systems. The service is easy to set up and use, and the hardware consists of a dish, a router, a power supply, and cables.

Starlink has been a popular choice for cruising sailors, with many reporting excellent connectivity while at sea. However, Starlink has recently cracked down on service term violations, with users receiving emails stating that using the service at sea violates the terms and conditions of their plan. The company has recommended that users switch to one of their new, more expensive 'Mobile Priority' plans.

There is some confusion over whether Starlink will work for boats anchored or docked at sea, with some customer service messages stating that a boat at anchor is considered in motion and others stating that the service can be used while stationary. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Starlink's plans and pricing are constantly evolving, with the company making frequent changes.

Overall, Starlink has been a valuable connectivity option for boaters, but the recent changes to service terms and pricing have caused some uncertainty.

Starlink Roam is now Starlink Maritime

Starlink Maritime's original dedicated Maritime version was designed for commercial use, with subscription costs of around £5,000 per month. However, most recreational sailors have been using Starlink Roam, previously known as Starlink RV, a plan designed for those in touring vehicles, off-grid cabins, etc., who need connectivity while stationary and on land. Starlink has started cracking down on service term violations, and users have been receiving emails notifying them that using the service at sea is in breach of the terms and conditions of their service plan.

Starlink has advised Roam users to switch to one of their new, more expensive 'Mobile Priority' plans. The Mobile Priority plans start at £247 per month, with a hardware cost of £2410, though there are some hefty discounts currently being promoted to existing standard dish owners on new hardware costs. The Mobile Priority plans offer access on the open ocean and high-speed in-motion data over 100 MPH for land and aviation purposes.

Starlink Maritime is a significant upgrade for those who need seamless, high-speed connectivity while cruising or running a business while at sea. However, the high costs of the Maritime plans may be prohibitive for some users, especially those who only need occasional in-motion priority data for ocean passages. It is recommended that users contact Starlink directly to discuss their specific needs and explore the best options available to them.

Starlink Maritime is now $5000/month

Starlink has been a game-changer for mobile internet for RVers and boaters, offering fast connectivity in places where there is no cellular or Wi-Fi. However, the company has been making constant changes to its pricing, plans, terms, and equipment, which has left users feeling uncertain about the future of the service.

The Maritime plan was previously designed for commercial use, with a subscription cost of around $5,000 per month. Now, Starlink is cracking down on users who were on the Roam plan, which was intended for stationary use on land. Users have been receiving emails notifying them that using the Roam plan on the ocean violates the terms and conditions of their service plan.

Starlink has advised Roam users to switch to one of their new, more expensive Mobile Priority plans. However, the pricing and options for these plans have been changing rapidly, leaving users unsure of the best course of action. Some users have reported that even after toggling off their Priority plan, they were still using data from the more expensive plan.

It is unclear whether Starlink will consider a boat anchored or docked as stationary or in motion. There have been conflicting reports from Starlink customer service, with one email stating that a boat at anchor is considered in motion, while the Starlink FAQ page advises that users can use their current Starlink hardware with the Mobile Priority data plan to access prioritized service globally on land and in the ocean while stationary.

For now, it seems that the best course of action for cruisers is to wait and see how the plans evolve, rather than rushing to sign up for new data plans or purchase new hardware.

Starlink Roam is geofenced to land only

Starlink's website states that Roam is for "land use only" and that there will be "geo-fencing in place to stop use outside of designated areas". The Starlink map defines "land" and "ocean" areas, with the latter including islands and promontories. If the satellite technology detects that the dish is being used in an "ocean" hexagon, it will consider you to be at sea.

Some users have reported that Starlink Roam still works for them when they are docked or anchored, but this may not be the case for much longer. One user shared an email they received from Starlink, which said:

> "You do not need the high-performance dish to use in-motion service. However, using the regular dish in motion voids the warranty, as it wasn't designed or built for in-motion use. In motion means moving....A boat at anchor is considered in motion. The bobbing motion will trigger the motion sensors in the dish."

However, there is conflicting information on Starlink's FAQ page, which states:

> "Flat High Performance Starlink is only available to be purchased in certain regions. If your account country is outside these regions, you can use your current Starlink hardware paired with the Mobile Priority data to access prioritized service globally on land and in the ocean while stationary."

The situation is further complicated by the fact that Starlink's policies are rapidly evolving. One user commented that "unless you need seamless high-speed connectivity because you are running a business whilst cruising or similar, don't rush to replace hardware or sign up for new data plans as they are rapidly evolving".

Starlink Roam is now $150/month

Starlink Roam is a service that provides high-speed internet on the go. It is ideal for RVers, campers, and travelers who need to stay connected while traveling. The service offers two tiers of data plans: Roam Unlimited and Roam 50GB.

The Roam Unlimited plan costs $165/month and provides unlimited data. The Roam 50GB plan costs $50/month and includes 50GB of data, with the option to purchase additional data by the GB. Both plans include in-motion use up to 100 mph, international travel in available markets for up to 2 months per trip, and coastal coverage in territorial waters for up to 2 months per trip.

Previously, the Roam Unlimited plan was priced at $150/month, but Starlink has recently increased the price to $165/month. This price increase is likely due to the addition of new features and improvements to the service.

Starlink Roam can be used on a boat for high-speed internet access. The service provides coverage on inland and territorial waters. However, for use in international waters and ocean travel, Starlink offers the Maritime service plan, which is specifically designed for maritime use and provides coverage beyond coastal areas.

Starlink Roam is a convenient and flexible option for staying connected while on the move, but it is important to note that the service plans and pricing are subject to change, and users should refer to the Starlink website for the most up-to-date information.

Starlink Roam is still worth it

• Starlink is a game-changer for mobile internet for RVers and boaters.
• Starlink's low earth orbit system delivers a lot more bandwidth, coverage, and better performance than more traditional geostationary satellite internet systems.
• Starlink is easy to set up and use.
• Starlink can provide service almost anywhere on the globe.
• Starlink doesn't know borders. It is a global service that offers service almost anywhere in the world, including over the open ocean.
• Starlink is a connectivity system that uses a large constellation of satellites in low earth orbit (LEO), along with user terminals and ground stations to provide fast, low-latency internet connectivity from almost anywhere on the globe.
• Starlink has thousands of satellites just a few hundred miles into space, giving much lower latency but requiring a lot more satellites to give complete coverage.
• Starlink can be a great option for nomads who like to stay connected in places where other options don't exist.
• Starlink is a truly global system and can provide fast connectivity in places where nothing else can.
• Starlink is not destined to be the ultimate way for nomads to get online, but it can be a great component of many technomadic connectivity arsenals.
• Starlink is a unique connectivity option that provides features that are simply not available anywhere else.
• Starlink has shaken up its offering for cruising sailors with a crack down on service term violations and new data plans.
• Starlink has been hailed as a game-changer by many adopters.
• Starlink is easy to install.
• Starlink has no equipment cost and no contract.
• Starlink has no data restrictions.
• Starlink is a good alternative to cable and cell phone companies that have a history of hooking and raising prices.
• Starlink has a large bandwidth limit.
• Starlink is a proven system.
• Starlink is a good option for those who want to stay coastal.
• Starlink is a good option for those who want to watch their favourite shows.
• Starlink is a good option for those who want to attend Zoom meetings, edit videos online, and upload them to YouTube.
• Starlink is a good option for those who want to have guests on board, so four devices are streaming video.

Frequently asked questions