Rejoice! Fast, low latency, and reliable internet speeds are coming to a remote campsite near you! Elon Musk’s Starlink (A division of SpaceX) is now available for Campers, Caravanners and RV users in Australia. Starlink recently announced that they are no longer restricting Starlink for fixed location users, meaning that people who have religiously relied on Telstra for remote work, streaming, gaming or any other type of communication are no longer restricted by the service or coverage. Starlink now covers all of Australia.
Starlinks new ‘Roam’ option is advertised as allowing users to “access high-speed, low-latency internet on an as-needed basis at any destination where Starlink provides active coverage.”
The service is billed on a month-to-month basis and users can pause at any time, meaning that it is on par with many of the top tier providers in Australia in terms of flexibility.
Even better there is currently no wait list, people in Australia are reporting their Starlink kits dispatched within a week after ordering!
When can I get Starlink for my Caravan, RV or Van in Australia?
As of 2023 Starlink covers all of Australia and is available now. Users may have a short delay on hardware due to any promotional offers that are currently available but as soon as your kit arrives you can be connect within minutes.
How do I use Starlink Roam in Australia?
The good thing is that Starlink is extremely user friendly, simply download the app, use the wizard and it will guide you on how to plug in and postiion your hardware.
It works slightly different to a mobile solution that uses cell towers or your connection at home that is usually a fibre or copper cable to an NBN modem. Because the Starlink hardware communicates with low orbit satellites the dish must be stationary with a clear view of the sky for optimum performance. There is an obstruction tool that will help you place it in the prime position.
As of 2023 there is also an option for an high performance, flat mount dish that suits in-motion use, making it perfect for anyone looking for a permanent mounting solution. it is restricted currently but i imagine it wont be too long before this is a readily available product.
What does Starlink Roam cost in Australia?
It is expensive in comparison to other solutions. The hardware is a one-off cost and will set you back $924.00 AUD, from there it is billed monthly at $174.00 AUD/Mo.
Currently the hardware is on sale for $450.00 with 2 months of free service, a spectacular deal. It means you are essentially paying $102 for the hardware!
An alternative and popular solution for Australians currently is a Telstra sim card, mobile hotspot and an antenna which will usually set you back around $1,500.00 AUD for hardware and an ongoing cost of $85.00AUD/Mo for their largest data plan.
Lets compare Starlink Roam and Cell-Fi Go with Telstra’s affordability:
| Download limit (GB) | Monthly ongoing cost (AUD) | Initial setup cost (AUD) | |
| Telstra with Cell-Fi Go | 40/180/400 | $58/$68/$85 | ~$1,200* For Cell-Fi Go & Yagi Antenna + $200-500 for RV Wi-Fi unit |
| Starlink | Unlimited | $174 | $924 |
How much power does Starlink use?
While Starlink is designed to be used with a dedicated power supply, some users may be interested in using an inverter to power their Starlink equipment.
An inverter is a device that converts DC (direct current) power from a battery or other power source into AC (alternating current) power, which is required to power most household appliances and electronics. If you plan to use an inverter to power your Starlink equipment, it’s important to understand how much power the system uses, and whether your inverter can provide enough power to meet its needs.
According to SpaceX, the power consumption of a typical Starlink user terminal is around 100 watts during normal operation. This includes both the power required to operate the terminal itself, as well as any power used by other connected devices such as routers or modems. However, it’s important to note that power consumption may vary depending on factors such as the number of devices connected to the terminal, the signal strength of the satellite connection, and the amount of data being transmitted or received.
Using the 100 watt guideline you would expect the Starlink to draw 10ah from your battery through an inverter, a lot depends on your type of inverter and it’s efficiency. My Starlink usually draws about 7ah through my Renogy 3000W inverter.
Can I use MS TEAMS or Skype for Business with Starlink Roam?
I personally use Microsoft TEAMS (MS TEAMS), Skype for business, Virtual sessions and connect to remote servers frequently from all over Australia. For majority of people the internet connection is perfectly adequete to use for working remotely.
We also have no problem gaming (casually) and streaming from any of the popular streaming services with no issues.
Conclusion
Starlink certainly looks to be a quality solution for those looking for a quality internet connection whilst travelling on the road full time. And now that SpaceX has enough low-orbit satellites in the sky that coverage isn’t an issue it is certainly my go to!.
As always I endorse redundancy so a quality Cell-Fi Go solution and a Telstra Data Sim will remain as part of my arsenal, I also carry a pre-paid Optus Sim as well for those areas where Telstra service doesn’t exist (yes, it actually happens).
If you want to get some more updates on Starlink rollout or order some hardware for yourself, you can visit the Starlink website by clicking here.
If I was to order an RV Starlink device, when would it be delivered?
Hi Steve, Delivery is reported as quick as 5 business days to metro areas atm. Personally mine was 4 business days to Brisbane area.
hello I am interested in fitting star-link into my caravan. Can you please give me a call 0409 081 134 to discuss further.
regards
Hi
Can all cell phones use this network
If your phone supports ‘wifi calling’ then yes. Check your device settings
Is the hardware for installation in your home the same as what you get for caravans or RV’s? Not for mobile use.
Its the same hardware mate, just a different plan. Some people add the ‘portability’ option their home plan when they need to take it with them.
Is there also a fixed receiver option which can be fitted to the rv roof .
Not just yet. There are alot of people modifying their hardware for better fixed solutions.
I understand that you can pause and un-pause the Roam package option at will. Is there any limit on how many time you can pause / un-pause and are there any charges during the pause period?
We have a caravan that we use periodically and are interested in Starlink due to ease of use and speeds supported but want to avoid burning $$$ while we are not travelling and our van is in storage.
We have a fixed line nbn service at home that we need to leave active for our house and pet sitters when we are away so need a fulltime fixed line service and a part time mobile solution.
I have personally paused/unpaused mine 4-5 times in the last 12 months. The only catch is that you have to pay until the end of the current billing cycle before a pause is accepted.
So in your case you would have to pay for a full 4 weeks of billing ($175) each time you wanted to take it camping with you.
Very good info. Lucky me I ran across your site by accident (stumbleupon). I’ve saved as a favorite for later!
Thanks for the feedback!
Is the roam star link suitable to be taken to air bnb’s that don’t have internet service or do you permanently fix device to rv
Yeah you can take it with you, problem is getting a clear view of the sky. So you would need a yard or somewhere to put it outside that has no obstructions.