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An Australian Starlink Review – Everything You Need To Know

Article Summary

internet beaming from starlink satellite

If you’re like me and have been enduring poor internet speeds and connectivity issues, then read along because Starlink could be the solution you’re looking for. It offers fantastic download and upload speeds, the likes of which have not been seen by internet users in Australia, especially in regional locations.

It’s sad that in Australia, 240mbs download speed is considered fast internet whereas in other parts of the world, getting 1000mbs is the norm.

But hope is not lost as new and emerging technologies are not just on the horizon. They are literally here.

So in this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know before and after you purchase a Starlink dish in Australia.

Update June 2022: This article was written in November 2021. Since then there have been some changes to the Starlink equipment mainly the dish shape and the the included Wi-Fi router and its attachment cables. An update note has been added to the relevant sections of the article where changes have occurred since the original publish date.

Basics First, What Is Starlink? 

 

Starlink is part of a program run by SpaceX. It utilizes low orbit satellites to deliver internet connectivity to homes across the globe. The main aim of the Starlink program is to provide internet connectivity to areas where ground infrastructure is not practical or too costly.

Currently, the System does rely on ground-based stations, also known as gateways, to link the satellites to internet data centres on earth. This is planned to change in the future. But currently, the locations of these ground stations dictate where Starlink is available in Australia. 

SpaceX Starlink Download And Upload Load Speeds

 

starlink internet availability shows great speeds

The typical speeds below are from readings available on free internet speeds test on various platforms using mobile phones and laptops connected to Wi-Fi while other devices were also using the internet. Daily results varied depending on weather conditions and cloud types associated with that weather. 

Typical Starlink Download Speeds In South Eastern Australia

 

The download speeds that we experience in Central Victoria ranged between 35mbs – 312mbs. On most days, the speed test returns a reading of at least 100mbs, and usually, it’s above 200mbs.

starlink internet speed test in Victoria

During bad weather and storms, it has dropped to as low as 35mbs, but this is not long-lasting. Our normal fixed wireless nbn was usually 20mbs and at its very best 50mbs.

Typical Starlink Upload Speeds In South Eastern Australia

 

The typical uploads speeds I experienced in Central Victoria ranged between 5mbs – 35mbs, with the average we experience being in the teens and low twenties. 

starlink internet speed test Macedon Ranges

During bad weather and storms, it has dropped down to 4mbs, but again this is not long-lasting. In comparison, our fixed wireless nbn would give us an upload speed of 5mbs at best and normally 3mbs all the time regardless of weather.

Typical Latency (Pings)

 

During my speed test over multiple days and at different times of day, the latency (which is also known as pings in an internet speed test) ranged between 23ms – 70ms, with the norm being around 35ms – 47ms

the typical starlink satellite internet speeds you get in Aus

Are Outages Common?

 

If the receiver dish is placed in a good location with a clear view of the southern sky, you should receive minimal outages.

Currently, the only time outages have occurred during use was in conditions of heavy rain.

This only happened twice during a whole day of consistent rain and bad weather. On both occasions, the internet reconnected and was back to suitable speeds within 1 min.

The experience of others varies but most state that outages are not long lasting. 

What Is The Current Price Of Starlink In Australia? And what’s Included?

 

Satellite Receiver Equipment, SapceX Internat Plan & Installation Cost 

 

At the time of writing (Updated June 2022) in Australia, you will pay the following cost when you sign up to receive internet from SpaceX:

  • A one-off fee of $1074 (AUD). This covers the cost of the equipment plus the shipping fee ($924 is for equipment and $150 is for shipping). 
  • Initially, you will only have to pay a deposit if there is no service availability in your area. The remaining cost will be charged prior to shipping.
  • A monthly internet connection fee of $139 (AUD) for unlimited internet will commence 14 days after you receive your Starlink equipment. 
  • There are no lock-in contracts, and you can cancel at any time.
  • If you plan to get your dish installed on the roof or a pole by a professional installer. You can expect to pay between $400 – $2000 depending on who you go with and whether you supply the mounting equipment or they do and any other requirements you may have.

What Equipment Is Included In The Starlink Package? 

 

items included in starlink box sent by spaceX

The following is included in the box

  •  The Starlink receiver dish
  • A ground mount 
  • A 30-meter cable that’s attached to the receiver dish
  • A Wi-Fi router with a removable Ethernet cable
  • A power port that powers the dish and the router

Update June 2022

The dish shape is now rectangular in shape and the cable can be detached from the dish.

Additionally the included Wi-Fi router attachment cables are slightly different. Please check their specifications if you plan to use your on router.

What Equipment Do You Need To Receive Internet From The Starlink System?

 

To make the whole system work, you need a power source, and you need to have created an account with SpaceX (which is done at the time of purchase).

Tip: You will also need an IOS or Android device that can support the Starlink App. This is currently the only way to interact with the Starlink receiver dish. 

For Apple users, the requirements are IOS 11.0 or later (Check all current IOS requirements here). 

For Android users, the requirements are Android version 5.0 and up (Check all current Android requirements here

That’s it. It’s is as easy as that, just plug and play.

Is Starlink Easy To Install?

 

What Direction Do You Point The Starlink Receiver Dish?

 

starlink reciver dishobstruction map

Unlike other satellite receiver systems in Australia, where the receiver faces a northerly direction. The Starlink receiver dish must be facing south

So before you decide to purchase this service, use the Starlink App to see if the receiver dish will have a clear line of sight to the southern sky.

Installation Options

 

Basic Plug and Play Option

Place the receiver dish in the mount, connect all the cables to the power source and the Wi-Fi router (they are all colour coded) and follow the instructions through the App. For some people, This may be a long term option. 

Starlink reciver dish with mount ground test

Tip: If, like me, you have young kids or inquisitive animals, do yourself a favour and go with the below options.

Roof or Pole Mounted Installation Options

For this options, you may need to purchase additional equipment. Some of these can be purchased from the Starlink shop.

How to mount a spaceX Reciver dish on a roof in Australia

Tip: If you do not have the skills to place wires through internal walls, or you’re not 100% comfortable with drilling holes through your roof. Then using a qualified installer may be a better option. 

The cost associated with that will depend on your house type and proposed installation location. 

Which Company Did I Use For The Roof Installation Process?

I used a company called Starlink InstallsThey service most if not all areas where Starlink is available in South Eastern Australia. They were on time, and they did a great job. Plus, they provided all the mounting equipment necessary to install the receiver on the roof.

I will admit that initially, I wasn’t comfortable with paying the service fee upfront before installation as I knew nothing about them.

So I searched for other providers. But in the end I decided to take the punt and use them.

Please do your own research and find out if they can accommodate your individual needs.

Can You Use A Different Wi-Fi Router To The One Supplied By SpaceX?

 

The information in the below paragraphs may no longer be valid depending on your setup as it was written in November 2021.

Yes, you can, but depending on your setup you may be unable to receive any performance information from the Starlink App. Without connectivity to the App you will have no way of controlling and stowing or unstowing the receiver dish.

Using a different router may be a necessary action depending on your requirements. 

If you have a basic router provided by your ISP (internet service provider) and are happy with its performance. Then the Starlink router will do the job just fine.

I use my own Wi-Fi router and am experiencing no connectivity issues. It’s reasonably simple to re-plug the Ethernet cable back in the Starlink router if and when required. (update June 2022: You may now need a conversion plug to use the supplied starlink cable in your own router).

3 Simple Steps To Connect Your Own Wi-Fi Router To The Starlink Receiver

 

1. Make sure everything works and confirm you are getting internet connectivity through the Starlink router. Leave the Starlink power box connected with the power on.

Note: If you require internet service from your current provider and you are only testing this out, make sure you know how to reverse this action before you start.

2. On your personal Wi-Fi router, change the WAN settings to “DHCP” (its current setting is probably PPPoE).

Power source for the SpaceX Starlink reciver dish and router

3. Turn the router off, then connect the white Ethernet cable from the Starlink power box to your routers internet port. Then turn your router back on

That’s it! 

To have access to information from the Starlink App, you may need to set a “static route”. I didn’t do this and had no access to the information from the app but after a few days I suddenly did.

Note: If your router has its own power source, the light above the white cable on the Starlink power box will be out.

Can Starlink Be Used For Camping Or Travel?

 

Currently, when you purchase a Starlink dish, the equipment is set to your registered address. This basically means you are registered to a particular cell and will not receive connectivity outside that location.

However, Elon Musk and SpaceX engineers have been quoted as saying that, removal of the so-called geofencing is on the cards and that SpaceX hopes to provide the service in moving vehicles. 

If that does become a reality, it will be a complete game-changer for those who love camping and the laptop lifestyle.

(Update June 2022: You are now able to use Starlink in diffrent locations where the service is available within your own country. Starlink will charge you an addtional monthly fee to use that service.)

What Are Alternative Internet Options To Starlink In Regional Australia?

 

Fixed Line nbn

 

This option is only available if you live in certain regional towns and only within the town boundaries. This includes:

  • Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) 
  • Fibre to the Building (FTTB)
  • Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC)
  • Fibre to the Curb (FTTC)
  • Fibre to the Node (FTTN) 

Which one you get will depend on the town you live in, and the performance varies between each one. You may be able to achieve download speeds of 150mbs depending on what plan you are on.

Fixed Wireless nbn

 

Most rural dwellings that are out of town but are within 14km of an nbn transmitter tower will have this option. 

Fixed wirless nbn reciver dish

Basically, you have a receiver dish on your roof that points to the tower. 

Any buildings or trees along that path will reduce the quality of your internet service. You would be lucky to get more than 50mbs download speeds and 5mbs upload speeds regardless of what internet plan you’re on.

Sky Muster

 

This option is for rural locations that have no access to mobile towers. 

It’s satellite-based and is provided by the nbn co

It is said to cover the whole of Australia. The plans available are very restrictive, and you may be able to get 25mbs download speeds. Starlink wins hands down on this one for quality connectivity and value.

For more information on the above 3 options you can visit the nbn website.

4G & 5G Mobile Internet

 

This option relies on your chosen telecommunication provider having a mobile tower capable of delivering this signal to your premises. The further you get out from regional centres, the poorer the signal quality. Even if you can get a good mobile signal outdoors, it may be rubbish once you get inside your house.

The mobile plans offered generally have data usage limitations. You may also need to consider getting a booster antenna on your property. 

Bottom Line

 

In conclusion, for city dwellers and those living in large regional locations, the cost involved in getting and setting up Starlink may not be justifiable, given the fixed-line broadband options available and the price points.

For people like me in regional areas who don’t have the above option, the opportunity to use Starlink may be irresistible

I was more than happy to change over to Starlink and am certainly glad I did. 

Rimon Franklin is a father of four kids and a work at home dad. He is a community minded individual, an entrepreneur and an aviation enthusiast who loves sharing knowledge and discovering new things.