Learning Hub

Is Starlink the answer for Australian business connectivity issues?

Written by Michelle Lewis | Dec 19, 2022 11:41:49 PM

 FixUpdated October 2024 - Starlink is now available across all of Australia. Is the Low Earth Orbit satellite service the answer for businesses experiencing connectivity issues?

 

Across Australia there remain many locations that do not have reliable access to NBN or to a mobile network.

Is the Starlink satellite service the answer for business sites that are not being served with reliable connectivity?

In this blog we answer all your questions about Starlink for Business. MobileCorp is one of Australia's leading MSPs deploying both wired and wireless networks. We are now working to deploy satellite-cellular hybrid solutions with corporate customers who are unable to access a reliable connection by any other means. We are also providing Starlink and 4G mobile bonding with Ericsson Enterprise Wireless solutions (formerly Cradlepoint).

Quick Links

Where is Starlink available in Australia

Where are Starlink Earth Stations in Australia?

How do I know if my business site is eligible for a Starlink service?

What is the Starlink Residential service?

What is the Starlink Business service?

What is the Starlink Land Mobility service?

What is the Starlink Maritime service?

What does Starlink cost?

MobileCorp - Your Starlink MSP

 

Where is Starlink available in Australia?

Starlink first launched in Australia which a trial version of its internet service starting with northern Victoria and southern New South Wales in April 2021. Since that time it has steadily expanded access.

Starlink is now accessible across all of the Australian continent.Starlink coverage map September 2022

Starlink coverage map October 2024


Starlink coverage map September 2022

Starlink Coverage map July 2022


Starlink Coverage map 2021

Where are Starlink Earth stations in Australia?

Starlink has 20 Earth stations in Australia. ACMA has them located at




Starlink Earth stations October 2022 Source: ACMA website


Wagin Western Australia Starlink Earth Station

 

How do I know if my business site is eligible for a Starlink service?

To check if your address has access to Starlink go to https://www.starlink.com/map 

Below is the map for MobileCorp Head Office at 247 Coward Street, Mascot.

We can see that there is already congestion on the Hornsby area cell and no more users with an address in that cell can purchase the service.

What is the Starlink Residential service?

For fixed locations Starlink offers two service levels classified as Residential and Business, however many smaller business locations will choose to use a Residential service.

The Residential service started in Australia with a round dish but has now shifted to the new rectangular dish.one In the box is a Starlink dish, a dish mount, and a Wi-Fi router base unit. Also included is a power cable for the base unit and a 75-foot cable for connecting the router to the dish.

The dish needs to be located with 100o clear Line Of Sight. For this reason most households will mount it on the roof.
Starlink units are tied to a specific satellite, so can not be moved to a new address without contacting Starlink.
Starlink residential units are shipped from within Australia so take only 3-4 days for delivery.


 

What is the Starlink Business service?

Starlink offers a Business service which used to be called Premium, but is now simply called Business.

Business offers advantages over the residential service with a higher gain antenna, additional throughput allocation, and better extreme weather performance.

Starlink says its business users can expect download speeds of up to 350 Mbps and latency of 20-40ms. They position the Business services as enabling high throughput connectivity for offices of up to 20 users, storefronts, and demanding or critical workloads.

With Starlink, there are no long-term contracts, no data caps, and no exclusivity requirements. Business customers have access to 24/7 prioritised support and a publicly routable IPv4 address.


 

What is the Starlink Land Mobility service?

The Starlink roaming service for business is now called the Land Mobility Service. 

It used to be called RV, obviously in reference to its American target market of those who are moving around in a Reticulated Vehicle, however it is now known as the Land Mobility Service.

There are three plans to choose from:

  1. Mobile Priority 50GB - for low bandwidth applications while in-motion with unlimited data for $374 per month
  2. Mobile Priority 1TB - for critical connectivity applications like emergency response with unlimited data for $1,486 per month
  3. Mobile Priority 5TB - for high bandwidth and critical connectivity applications like trains or emergency response with unlimited data for $7,433 per month

The download speeds are estimated at 40-220+ Mbps. Upload estimates are 8-25 Mbps. Latency is estimated at less than 99MS.

The Flat High Performance Starlink has a wider field of view and enhanced GPS capabilities, connecting to more satellites for consistent throughput while in motion.

The Land Motion service is available across Australia.

There is also an Individual Roaming service based on a Standard dish. 


 

What is the Starlink Maritime service?

There is also a Maritime service, designed for ocean going vessels and luxury yachts. If staying within 100km of the Australian coastline, the Starlink Roaming service is recommended rather than the Maritime service.
 
Starlink Maritime was developed for SpaceX vessels and is currently being used to get high-quality video of SpaceX rocket landings at sea, providing continuous coverage in the face of engines capable of generating up to 190,000 lbs of force.

The solution is designed to withstand extreme cold, heat, hail, sleet, heavy rain, and gale force winds.
 
The Maritime service offers the ability to pause and un-pause service at any time, and is billed in one month increments, allowing users to customise their service to their individual needs.
 
Starlink Maritime hardware bears a small footprint, demands minimal above deck space, and comes with an easy-to-install mount.

The pricing matches the Land Motion Service.

 

What does Starlink cost in Australia?

Starlink billing begins from shipping date and is month-to-month with no lock-in contract. There is currently no data limit on any of the Starlink services. 

Procurement of Starlink hardware and services is only offered as a credit card purchase through the Starlink website at this time, which can be difficult for some business customers.

The Business service was fairly expensive just two years ago but new plans have been introduced to bring the price down significantly for some fixed site users.

  Starlink Service Unlimited Data Hardware 
 Residential  $139 per month Usually $599 but often on promotion for $299
Individual Roam

Roam - 50GB for $80 per month

Roam Unlimited for $195 per month

Usually $599 but often on promotion for $299

Business Fixed Site

$176 per month for 40GB

$374 per month for 1TB

$748 per month for 2TB

Standard dish is $599 plus $84 shipping

Enterprise dish is $1,169 plus $84 shipping

Flat High Performance Dish is $3,740 plus $84 shipping

Business Land Mobility

 Mobile Priority 50GB for $374 per month

Mobile Priority 1TB for $1,486 per month

Mobile Priority 2TB for $7,433 per month

Flat High Performance Dish is $3,740 plus accessories WiFi router $270, Pipe Adapter $262 plus shipping $84
Business Maritime

 Mobile Priority 50GB for $374 per month

Mobile Priority 1TB for $1,486 per month

Mobile Priority 2TB for $7,433 per month

Flat High Performance Dish is $3,740 plus shipping $84
 
 

MobileCorp - your Starlink MSP 

MobileCorp is a Sydney-based Communications Technology MSP who solves connectivity issues for Australian businesses.

We are a leading 5G and Wireless Network MSP and have made it our business to understand what Starlink can offer as a connectivity solution for locations where there is untenable fixed or mobile coverage. 

A more recent solution has been the bonding of Starlink and Telstra cellular utilising an Ericsson-Cradlepoint router. 

 

For more information reach out to 

Peter Jonson
GM, Sales & Managed Services 
MobileCorp
e. peter@mobilecorp.com.au
m. 0400 299 909
t. 1800 243 252

About MobileCorp

MobileCorp is an enterprise ICT solutions company with a mission to deliver our customers a communications technology edge. We provide Complex Data and IP Networks, Managed Mobility Services, Enterprise Mobility Management, and Unified Communication solutions. We have a proven track record providing managed services for Australian enterprise and business, and we are a Telstra Platinum Partner for Mobility and Services.