To get connected to the Internet using Starlink Internet constellation, you should follow the guidelines provided by Starlink. The steps are easy to follow in order get connected to the Internet, this article will guide us on how we could that.
But before we begin, it’s very necessary to know the different types of starlink hardware kits and service plans that are available. Understanding the hardware and available service plans will assists us in choosing the ones that could best match our needs.
Let’s continue reading to explore more of this newly great invented Internet Constellation technology by the SpaceX company.
CATEGORIES OF STARLINK SERVICES AND KITS
- Standard Service Plan/Standard Hardware Kit:
The Starlink standard hardware kit is best applicable for residential users and everyday internet applications like streaming, video calls, online gaming & more. The physical size for the starlink standard dish is 303mm (11.9inch) by 513mm (20.2inch). Starlink recommends using the Standard Starlink hardware for Standard service plans, as the dish supports typical household internet applications.
Standard Starlink Dish
Image credit: Starlink
- Priority Service Plan/High Performance Hardware Kit:
The Starlink High Performance Hardware is designed to be ideal for high Internet power user, business, and enterprise applications. It allows better speeds at high temperatures, can connect to more satellites, and is more resilient to extreme environments. It’s a little larger in physical size than the standard hardware dish, its size is 511mm (20.1inch) by 575mm (22.6inch).
Starlink recommends using the High-Performance hardware for Priority service plans, as the dish is better for integration with business applications.
Though, the Standard Starlink hardware could also be used with Priority service plan as well, but the hardware does not include an ethernet port and can see lower speeds than the High Performance Starlink.
Also, the High Performance hardware can be used with Standard service plan as well, and is a good fit for customers looking for faster speeds in extreme weather conditions and in polar regions.![starlink high performance dish]()
Starlink High Performance Dish
Image credit: Starlink
- Mobile Service Plan:
Starlink recommends using the Standard Starlink hardware for Mobile service plans, as the dish supports portable use & quick set up/breakdown at new locations. However, the Standard Starlink dish and the Mobile plans are not permitted for in-motion use. - Mobile Priority Service Plan/Flat High Performance Hardware Kit:
It is designed for mobility applications and challenging environments. With a wide field of view and enhanced GPS capabilities, it can connect to more satellites, allowing for consistent connectivity while on the go. The hardware is designed for a permanent installation and is more resilient to extreme environments. The Flat High Performance dish is larger than the other two starlink hardware kits, it is 511mm (20.1inch) by 575mm (22.6inch) in size. It’s currently the only designated dish for in-motion use in approved countries. Starlink recommends using the Flat High Performance for Mobile Priority service plans; both the dish and the plans are designed for in-motion use.
The Flat High Performance, designed for in-motion use, can also be used with Mobile service plans to allow customers to have permanent installation on their vehicle if they choose to opt-in to using Mobile Priority data or upgrade to a Mobile Priority plan for in-motion use.![starlink flat high performance dish]()
Starlink Flat High Performance Dish
Image credit: Starlink
- Starlink Business:
Starlink Business delivers higher throughput allocation to serve businesses globally. Business customers can order as many Starlinks as needed, manage all service locations from a single account dashboard, and access 24/7 priority customer support.
Starlink Business users can expect download speeds of up to 220Mbps, upload up to 25 Mbps, and latency as low as 20ms in most locations, in exchange for a more costlier user terminal hardware kit and monthly subscription fee. - Starlink Maritime:
Another Starlink service that became available in July 2022 providing internet access on the open ocean called Starlink Maritime, delivers high-speed, low-latency internet with up to 220Mbps download. From merchant vessels to oil rigs to premium yachts, Starlink Maritime allows connection from some of the most remote waters across the world, the same way as in the office or at home. Starlink Maritime comes along with an added feature of pause and un-pause service plan at any time.
To use starlink Maritime service, it required the purchase of maritime-grade user terminal and a monthly service fee, which are more expensive than the already listed terminals and service plans. - Starlink Aviation:
Though, this product is still under development, and is expected to be available late in 2023. When delivered, it’s expected to provide high-speed, low-latency, in-flight internet with connectivity across the globe. Starlink Aviation’s low-profile Aero Terminal features an electronically steered phased array antenna, which enables new levels of reliability, redundancy, and performance.
Starlink Aviation can deliver up to 350Mbps to each plane, enabling all passengers to access streaming-capable internet at the same time.
With latency as low as 20ms, passengers can engage in activities previously not functional in flight, including video calls, online gaming, virtual private networks and other high data rate activities.
PROPER LOCATION FOR INSTALLING/MOUNTING STARLINK DISHY
Starlink is designed and tested to handle a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions including snow, hail, sleet, heavy rain, and extreme heat. However, Starlink is not designed to handle hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, meteors, dinosaurs, or other extreme forces of nature.
Your Starlink needs a clear view of the sky so it can stay connected with satellites as they move overhead. Objects that obstruct the connection between your Starlink and the satellite, such as a tree branch, pole, or roof, will cause service interruptions.
CABLE ROUTING
The Starlink hardware kit comes with a custom 50 ft (15.2m) detachable power over ethernet cable between Starlink and router, and a 6 ft (1.8m) power cable. It’s important to measure the distance between your ideal Starlink location and your ideal router location to ensure that you can successfully route the cable indoors.
Carefully route Starlink cable from the outside in without significantly bending it or jamming the connector. The dish cable is designed to fold flat to minimize the size of the hole required to pass through the wall. The maximum diameter needed for the cable to fit through the wall is 19.05mm (0.75inch). Damages to the cable could impact your quality of service, so be sure your cables remain free of kinks, debris, or door-jambs.
GETTING CONNECTED TO AN ONLINE
Once your Starlink arrives, it’s quick and easy to connect for the first time - there a few simple steps and no special equipment is needed.
Note: After a quick mount/installation, it’s recommended that the Starlink dishy to be permanently mounted in an elevated location like a roof, pole, or wall. Ensure Starlink is installed as close to vertical as possible. This setup would ensure the Starlink service is set up for optimal and long-term performance.
Starlink Router
- Find a Location:
Choose a clear view of the sky with few obstructions. You can use the Starlink app’s “Check for Obstructions” tool to check if there’s any object that could cause the obstruction. - Unbox & Plug in:
Your Starlink Kit arrives with everything you need to get online in minutes including your Starlink dish, WiFi router, cables and base.- Connect the cable to Starlink dish
- Set Starlink dish into its base at the outdoor
- Connect cables to the router and plug into power
- Starlink will automatically level itself to search for satellites overhead. Do not attempt to manually adjust your Starlink, for doing this will make the dish motor weaker.
- After a few minutes, Starlink will make an initial connection to the Starlink constellation and tilt to the optimum angle for satellite coverage.
- Connect to WiFi:
- Stand close to the router, open the Starlink app, and tap ‘Start Setup’.
- This will guide you through the setup and prompt with WiFi configuration steps like setting a Network name and Password.
- No Starlink app? Find and connect to the STARLINK network in your device’s WiFi settings.
- Confirm you are connected to Internet by navigating to a website, watching a video, or running a speed test from the app while connected to Starlink. You will see an ONLINE status on the main screen of the app.
- Stand close to the router, open the Starlink app, and tap ‘Start Setup’.
- Test your Connection:
Starlink Stats: From the Starlink app in the “Statistics” section, or by typing dishy.Starlink.com into any web browser, you can check statistics like speed, uptime, latency, outages, and alerts while connected to the Starlink router.
After a few hours of connection, the Starlink app has had time to collect more data.
- Obstructions: Check to see where you may have obstructions causing intermittent service.
- WiFi Range: View the signal strength of each connected device from the Network screen, use the Range tool to test WiFi signal throughout your home, and run a speed test.
- Support: If you are having issues with setup, review the guidance in the Troubleshooting and Setup sections in Support. It may take up to 20 minutes for Starlink to connect.
How to setup and install your Starlink Kit
Video credit: Starlink!
SET-UP FOR STARLINK WIFI ROUTER NETWORK
WiFi coverage is very important when setting up your Starlink, as it determines the area over which the network can provide internet access. The size of this radius will vary depending on the location of the WiFi router, the presence and material of walls or other obstacles, and the number and type of devices that are connected to the network.
Router placement is critical for a successful set up and strong WiFi connection. When placing your router in your home or office, follow these tips for optimal range:
Tips for good placement:
- Central location: Your router should be centrally located in your home or office in the area where you most often use your devices (mobile phone, tablet, computer).
- Flat surface: Place your router on a hard, flat surface like a table, countertop, shelf, or nightstand. Surfaces that are up at least halfway up the room are better than the floor if possible – signal emits mainly along the same plane it is placed in.
- Open space: The router communicates best when it is not closed in. Avoid cabinets, media consoles, and closets.
- Upright position: Place your router on its base – do not lay it down on its side. Check and see if your router may have tipped over accidentally if you are suddenly having issues.
- Few barriers: The best connection will be when your router is in the same room, or about 1-2 rooms away. The thinner the wall, the further the signal can go. For older houses that may have more dense wall materials like plaster, you may want to try placing your routers closer to the door (wood is less dense).
- Avoid Interference: Try to avoid common in-home causes of interference like major appliances (microwaves, refrigerators), thick materials (metals, concrete, or brick), and other sources of interference including fluorescent lights, other WiFi networks, and bad electrical connections. Try to place the router at least 20 feet away from these sources.
Note: Use the Tools in the Starlink App to Manage other Configurations: - The “Range” tool allows you to measure your Starlink WiFi signal strength in real time as you walk around your home and reports a summary at the end. This can advise where you may need to adjust router placement or place a mesh node.
- The “Network” tab allows you to view the signal strength of each of your devices connected to your WiFi.
- From Settings, there is an option to split the WiFi bands. The 2.4GHz band provides a longer range but may experience more interference than the 5GHz band. The 5GHz band uses shorter waves, which makes it harder for the signal to penetrate walls and solid objects (making the range smaller) but will encounter less interference.
STARLINK MESH
Starlink Mesh WiFi Routers wirelessly extend the WiFi network throughout the building to provide a more reliable connection and faster speeds to areas where extra coverage may be needed.
To provide reliable WiFi coverage to every corner of a building, the connection between each Starlink Mesh WiFi Router, or mesh node, needs to be strong. Make sure your primary Starlink router (from your Starlink Kit) and mesh nodes are evenly spread out, but no more than one to two rooms apart from each other. For example, if a room in your building that is 3+ rooms away has a weak connection and you place it in that room, the mesh node will not be able to connect well to the primary router.
You can use the Starlink app to place the routers in the correct locations. See the Mesh Set Up Guide for detailed instructions on how to set up your Starlink Mesh in minutes. If you want to extend the range of your signal, you should consider adding a Starlink Mesh router to your network.
USE THE STARLINK APP TO MANAGE YOUR NETWORK
You can use the Starlink Mobile App to manage your Starlink network and customize other settings.
- Troubleshoot common issues and contact support
- Check the health of your Starlink, from uptime to latency to download speed. Starlink will monitor connectivity and provides a break down in the stats section.
- Manage your WiFi configuration settings
- Manage your account, from adding portability for use on-the-go to changing billing information, to cancelling service
- Utilize "sleep mode" to save power or "stow" your dish to take it on the go.
- See weekly software updates.
There are different types of Starlink hardware kits available in the market for purchase. Understanding their differences could help you in choosing the right one for your needs. Also, there are several service plans suitable for your different operations and tasks at your house or in the work place.
Starlink is best designed and tested to handle a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions that could easily bring an interruption or outage of the internet service.
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