If you are an existing Starlink subscriber or just setting out to subscribe to Starlink, you need to know what Starlink Roaming Enabled means.
Starlink Roaming Enabled is for users who are frequently on the move, and this is where it gets its appeal if it features a portable kit and offers more flexibility with your internet browsing, regardless of where you use it.
The Roam subscription is Starlink’s improved version of its RV plan, and you’ll know all about it once you set up your kit and launch your subscription.
As soon as you enable your Starlink Roam service, you can access Starlink’s exclusive portability features. This means you can cater to all your internet browsing needs anywhere.
Starlink also offers its Roam service over two different plans, and you stand to enjoy different benefits with both plans.
In this blog, you’ll learn what it means to subscribe to the Starlink Roam plan.
Starlink Roam Plan Explained
Starlink Roam is a subscription service that caters to people who use their Starlink over different places, sometimes on different continents.
It is Starlink’s more reliable and standard plan for those who rely on Satellite internet for off-grid internet browsing anywhere in the world and on the way to such places.
Starlink offers its Roam plan over two different options. You can choose Regional Roam for use in your continent and Global Roam in multiple continents.
What you can gain from both plans is the capacity to enjoy high-speed, low-latency internet on the move, for the most part.
With Starlink Roam, you’ll not lose satellite internet access while traveling on land to anywhere with Starlink’s network coverage. This implies you can enjoy browsing the Starlink network while traveling from one country or continent to another.
(A spaceship orbiting the earth)
Previously, Starlink customers only had access to “portability” as an add-on feature in the Starlink RV package. This arrangement came with certain coverage limitations, and users could not pause their subscriptions.
Starlink has migrated its portability plan to users on the Roam service. These users can now enjoy their Starlink anywhere in the World.
Users can pause their subscription whenever they choose to and continue it on their next journey to anywhere with Starlink satellite coverage.
You can enjoy Starlink Regional Roam for $150 every month after you have purchased the Starlink hardware for $599.
On the other hand, Starlink Global Roams’s monthly service plan is $200 for the extra flexibility you enjoy.
What Speed Can You Enjoy With Starlink Roam
Despite the recent advancements in Satellite technology, global internet roaming service is still on a developing scale.
Starlink works on Satellite internet technology, so you can expect to have issues with your internet speed at certain times.
With Starlink Roam, you can expect to hit internet speeds in the 5-50 Mbps range during downloads. This speed drops to about 2-10Mbps for uploads.
Starlink promises steady improvements in the speed of its Roam service as it launches more Satellites into low-earth orbit.
As more laser links are coming online on its network, Starlink’s service and coverage will improve.
Another noteworthy point is that the network speed will vary for users from the Regional to the Roam plans.
Regional Roam subscribers enjoy better coverage at better speeds as their service draws from the many existing Starlink ground stations.
It becomes even more interesting when these subscribers encounter greater internet traffic.
If you subscribe to the Global Roam plan, you may encounter slower internet speed and more disruptions.
This happens because Starlink prioritizes customers on the Regional Roam network over those subscribed to Global Roam.
Another logical reason is the presence of fewer satellites covering the places that Global Roam subscribers likely go to or pass through.
On the other hand, subscribers to Regional Roam enjoy the service of more satellites above them capable of connecting with their dish. This makes for faster, more seamless communication, leading to a more reliable and steady internet for such users.
The “Quality of Service” you get from your Starlink Roam relates to your driving speed for the most part. This means you may experience lesser browsing speeds if you drive above a certain speed level, mostly 20 mph.
You can put this down to high winds hitting your dish as you drive fast.
Restrictions With Starlink Roam
Starlink’s Portability add-on feature has a few restrictions, but you can avoid most of them with Starlink Roam.
You can now pause your Starlink subscription service and surf the internet from one continent to another on a single Global Roam subscription.
Despite these improvements, Starlink Roam still maintains one restriction that features in the Recreaction Vehicle (RV) plan.
(A Starlink dish placed on thr ground).
You’ll find the following points helpful in understanding how Starlink’s restrictions apply.
- Starlink requires customers who have spent over two months in a place other than their shipping(home) address to update their address. This means your address must change to reflect the new location where you spent more than two months on the Starlink Roam service.
- Starlink has previously stated that this update intends to strictly factor in changes in how your billing and tax add up based on your new location.
- Starlink roam subscribers also face the “network deprioritization” problem. Starlink Roam will not prioritize customers in its network during congestion.
- To put it in perspective, Starlink will sort out your network request in Traffic of users, but only after attending to others on the network.
- You’ll see the effect as reduced speed and occasional outages while browsing the Starlink Roam network.
You will still enjoy a more satisfactory service with Starlink Roam, even after considering these restrictions. To crown it, you can lug your Starlink kit wherever you go and start enjoying browsing on the move.
(A man carrying out the installation of a Satellite dish)
Bottomline
With your Starlink Roam enabled, you can enjoy internet access anywhere. At the same time, this is a great advantage for many people. Starlink Roam service poses unique issues.
You’ll pay a significant monthly service fee and may not always have the best network service.
When you put all these in perspective, Starlink Roam still presents a fair deal for its customers.
The hardware is portable enough to lug around on your trips worldwide, and the internet service is decent enough for all your off-grid work and wherever you choose to use it.