Starlink FAQ updated 11/15/23
⭐ Why Opt for Marine Data Solutions for Your Starlink System?
When considering the acquisition of a high-performance internet system such as Starlink for your vessel, Marine Data Solutions emerges as the optimal choice for maritime satellite internet. Here’s why you should exclusively consider purchasing your Starlink High-Performance Yacht and Maritime system from us:
No Additional Fees:
Avoid paying the extra costs imposed by authorized Starlink resellers. With Marine Data Solutions, you contract directly with Starlink for your monthly airtime, ensuring no additional fees are added to your monthly charges for maritime satellite broadband.
Expert Installation:
Marine Data Solutions not only sells Starlink High Performance equipment but also provides expert installation tailored for the Yacht and Maritime environment, delivering top-notch maritime internet solutions. Our experienced team ensures proper setup, addressing unique challenges, and optimizing the onboard network for the best high-speed internet for yachts.
Equipment is In-Stock and Ready for Immediate Install:
We maintain a ready stock of Starlink High-Performance Systems, offering immediate solutions for yacht broadband connectivity. Skip the waiting time for equipment or installation services and get your system up and running promptly.
24/7 Tech Support:
Maritime life operates on its own schedule, and with Marine Data Solutions, you get 24/7 technical support for your internet access. We understand that internet issues can arise at any time, and we are available 24/7, ensuring we can assist you with troubleshooting any challenges with your Starlink system promptly.
In summary, when you choose to procure a Starlink High-Performance System from Marine Data Solutions, you’re investing in a high-quality system, expertly installed, with no additional monthly fees, and backed by 24/7 tech support for high-speed internet in the maritime environment.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if you’re ready to equip your yacht with a Starlink system today. +1 954 859 7092 or [email protected]
⭐ Purpose of this Starlink FAQ:
This FAQ is crafted to assist potential Starlink clients with the crucial details not readily available from Starlink. As your go-to maritime internet provider, Marine Data Solutions aims to provide the information necessary for you to make well-informed purchasing and upgrading decisions, ensuring the best maritime connectivity. While Starlink is an excellent system, it does have limitations that you should be aware of before making decisions.
Click here to request a price list.
⭐ Which Starlink Antenna for You?
For optimal performance on your yacht, we recommend the Mobile High-Performance antenna, currently priced at $2500 in the USA. This antenna grants access to all available Starlink plans, ranging from $150 to $6000 per month, and is designed to work seamlessly in motion and internationally with the correct priority plan for nautical satellite internet. No other Starlink antenna is recommended for yacht or ship use.
⭐ Data Caps for Yachts with Starlink?
Starlink currently does not enforce any data caps for yacht broadband services. Your selected Starlink airtime plan provides a specific amount of priority data, after which you continue to receive unlimited “standard” (non-priority) service.
Click here to request a price list.
⭐ Starlink Maritime Airtime Costs?
Click here to request a Starlink airtime price list.
⭐ Starlink Performance underway:
While Starlink provides great internet performance, there are significant Starlink internet interruptions during heavy rain, leading to no internet service until the rain stops (even with the Starlink High -Performance antenna). In Fort Lauderdale, we have observed frequent Starlink internet service interruptions, even without heavy rain, causing big onboard user frustration, especially when users are trying to use a remote desktop, video conferencing, and Gaming.
More information on resolving Starlink frustrations can be found here.
⭐ Reducing Starlink Maritime Internet Interruptions:
Marine Data Solutions has developed the MDS Blender, which bonds and mixes multiple 5G and Starlink systems to reduce internet dropouts common on a standalone Starlink installation. The hardware instantly switches to the vessel’s 5G connection during Starlink interruptions, providing a seamless, uninterrupted internet session for high-performance yacht broadband.
Learn more about the MDS Blender.
⭐ Considerations for Purchasing a Starlink System:
The Starlink Mobile High-Performance Flat Panel ($2500) version is approved for use with vessels in motion and internationally, making it a perfect choice for nautical broadband solutions. Other versions are not approved for motion or extended international use.
Starlink does not provide phone tech support, only email support.
Onboard labor for warranty issues is not covered, and there are no certified repair centers.
Service saturation in geographic areas can affect speed, especially on the “best effort” plan for maritime offshore broadband.
⭐ Installation of Starlink System on your Yacht or Ship:
Our techs have extensive experience installing Starlink systems, and we maintain an inventory of required installation parts. Contact us today to schedule your Starlink installation at +1 954 859 7092 and enjoy our top-notch Yacht and Maritime communication solutions.
⭐ Starlink Antenna for Yachts and Ships:
The recommended antenna for yachts is the Mobile High-Performance Flat Panel antenna, priced at $2500. Service plans range from $150 to $6000 per month for maritime connectivity systems. This antenna works in motion, internationally, and with all available Starlink Service Plans, allowing turning Starlink service on/off as needed in 30-day increments.
⭐ Installing Multiple Starlink Antennas on the Same Vessel:
Yes, you can install multiple Starlink systems on the same yacht or ship. However, you will need an MDS Blender to connect up to 4 Starlink systems, creating a single network for maritime networking technologies. More MDS Blender info here.
Click here to request a price list.
⭐ Where Starlink High-Speed Internet Service Works:
Starlink coverage continually improves with new satellite launches by SpaceX, ensuring internet for offshore locations. Currently, Starlink works reliably worldwide, except for the Poles.
⭐ Contacting Starlink for Tech Support:
Unfortunately, there is no Starlink tech support by phone for yacht wireless internet. Direct tech support is available through email on the Starlink website or the Starlink app.
⭐ Warranty Support for Your Starlink System:
After email communication with Starlink tech support, refurbished parts are shipped for “Do it Yourself” repairs and replacements. Starlink parts are shipped to the account billing address for maritime satellite installation. There is no “onboard/onsite” labor coverage by Starlink for warranty issues.
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⭐ Factors Affecting Starlink Internet Service Quality:
If the Starlink antenna is on the same horizontal plane as the vessel radar beam, the Starlink system will not work during radar transmission. Satellite obstructions like rain, cloud cover, mast, boom, radar, tuna tower, tall buildings, or mountains can negatively affect Starlink system performance, causing intermittent internet loss or significant speed loss for tech-enabled yachting.
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⭐ Difference Between Viasat and Starlink:
The main difference between Starlink and Viasat is the latency. Viasat latency is generally 500-650ms, while Starlink latency is generally 60-80ms. The additional system latency with Viasat can create a frustrating user experience in online forms, remote desktops, and video conferencing.
However, Starlink also has limitations with remote desktops, video conferencing, and gaming due to multiple service dropouts per hour.
Viasat offers enterprise-grade, superyacht quality satellite internet service with 24/7 phone tech support and worldwide local technical support.
⭐ Best method to connect multiple Starlink Maritime Antennas to a single network
The MDS Blender will allow you to connect up to 4 high speed “sources” (Starlink and/or 5G) in any combination. The MDS Blender will Speed Bond up to 4 internet sources, to a maximum speed of 1Gbps, and provide your network with enterprise-grade connectivity, with true instant failover, automatically shifting network traffic to the rest of your working internet sources. This hybrid enterprise grade connectivity is the secret sauce that allows high bandwidth applications to work properly. For example, remote desktops, like AnyDesk and TeamViewer work properly, without constant interruptions, as do video conferencing applications like Teams, Zoom, and WhatsApp. Check out the MDS Blender here: https://marinedatasolutions.com/mds-blender/
⭐ Why do Remote desktops like AnyDesk, Splashtop, and TeamViewer stop working several times per hour on Starlink
The Starlink constellation of Satellites is projected to have 30,000-40,000 satellites for full high-speed internet coverage of our entire planet. The current number of Starlink satellites in orbit, and use is less than 4,000. So we are only at about 10% coverage at this time, for this reason, there are usually multiple times per hour when the Starlink internet stops working. When there is no Starlink satellite in view, you will not have internet service. When the internet stops working, even for a split second, the remote desktops and Video conferencing apps stop working. Those are the Starlink “network issues” that can only be resolved by launching thousands more satellites. (Currently, SpaceX is launching satellites about once a week, with 22 satellites on board for each launch. Those satellites only have a working life of about 5 years before they must be replaced…. Based on those factors, the math appears to tell us that it will be many years before we have full coverage from Starlink) Check out the MDS Blender here: https://marinedatasolutions.com/mds-blender/
⭐ Why do video conferencing apps like Zoom and Teams stop working several times per hour on Starlink
The Starlink constellation of Satellites is projected to have 30,000-40,000 satellites for full high-speed internet coverage of our entire planet. The current number of Starlink satellites in orbit, and use is less than 4,000. So we are only at about 10% coverage at this time, for this reason, there are usually multiple times per hour when the Starlink internet stops working. When there is no Starlink satellite in view, you will not have internet service. When the internet stops working, even for a split second, the remote desktops and Video conferencing apps stop working. Those are the Starlink “network issues” that can only be resolved by launching thousands more satellites. (Currently, SpaceX is launching satellites about once a week, with 22 satellites on board for each launch. Those satellites only have a working life of about 5 years before they must be replaced…. Based on those factors, the math appears to tell us that it will be many years before we have full coverage from Starlink) Check out the MDS Blender here: https://marinedatasolutions.com/mds-blender/
Click here to request a price list.
