Starlink RV installation and use

[gsgriffin]

Originally Posted by bokobird

Hmmmm, I'm on residential (no portability ever) and when I look to switch to ROAM, I still see the following:

Attachment 391478

I'm wondering if when you're on ROAM, it's just now allowing you to switch back to RESIDENTIAL but they haven't gotten to update all the web pages yet?

What they mean is that you cannot automatically keep your place in line and switch back to Residential. You can and will still be able to CANCEL your subscription and then request to get Residential in line with everyone else who is waiting for the service. May not be a problem in a lot of the West. Definitely a problem in the east and southeast.

[gsgriffin]

So, I just switched from Residential to ROAM. I'll be on the road in another two weeks and wanted to make the switch just before my next month renewal to help avoid issues....don't know if that would be the case or not.

I did numerous speed tests before the switch and now numerous after (at the same time of day). I am currently in New Mexico, which is not at capacity. The speed was the same before and after. I'm certain this will change for those in wait-listed areas and could change at different times of the day. But, they are giving me priority speeds because they have the capacity to do so (hence, Best Effort).

Since this is about $500 more a year, I can turn it off when home for 3 months this summer and end up being an annual wash. See this map to have an idea of how this could impact your speeds...Dark Blue areas will see a speed drop when going from Residential to ROAM and staying within the Dark Blue areas. Move outside of that in the light blue while ROAMing and speeds will be better.

https://www.starlink.com/map

Now, since I am not in a waitlisted area, I DO SEE THE OPTION to switch back to Residential. It will take 4 or 5 days, but the option exists. Again, if you are in the dark blue areas, they may not provide you the option or simply tell you that you will have to wait in line with everyone else. I'm going to assume that when I get home, Montana is still open and should be able to reset it back to Residential. What is not clear is if there will be a credit for switching in the middle of a month. Might try to always make the switch just a day or two before the cycle ends.

[hclarkx]

Since one has to request a pause 7 days before the end of the month, requesting the switch would seemingly also need to occur 7 days before.

[Jack Klompus]

Originally Posted by gsgriffin

It has a lot to do with where you live, in my opinion. Here's how I would break it down. I'm sure others will chime in.

-If you live in a crowded area where there is a waiting list for new subscribers, your deprioritization will be noticed at home with ROAM. They claim that you may only be able to stream SD (Standard Definition) video. This is pretty slow at times. Portability give you PRIORITY while at home (same as residential)....but the same as ROAM while traveling. So, if you need it at home and traveling as your only service, PORTABILITY IS BEST FOR YOU, if you already have it....since they no longer offer it in the US. I wonder if I change to Canada if I can get it and then switch back to the US and keep it. hmmmm... Someone wanna try?

-In "crowded" area, if you don't need Starlink at home, then ROAM costs more, but you can turn it off while home and use it while traveling.

-In "open" areas (most of the West), if you need Starlink while traveling, ROAM is the only new option to go to now. While home, it will still be roaming and slower, but the "open" area is not terribly congested yet like the East.

-If you go point to point in your travel (always from home to another destination), you can still just your residential address and stay residential. You won't have it while getting there and back, but you will have residential costs and speed. The challenge can be that you get knocked off the list when you move and may not be able to get it when you return. This option is only for those with a home and traveling in areas that are not waitlisted.

-If you don't need super high speeds but starlink is really helpful at home, stay on residential and use a different option while traveling like the cellular threads explain.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f53/25-m...ml#post4758860

Thanks for your thoughts ... but you didn't really add anything I did not already know. In addition, I already use cellular hot spots, as mentioned in my post, from VZN, T-Mobile and ATT. I need to be well covered ...

The real question is feedback from those who have switched from Residential with portability to Regional Roam, and it sounds like you are going to be testing exactly that! Your test will help folks with the feasibility of making that switch, pausing service, and user experience while roaming, so thanks for all that!

[gsgriffin]

Originally Posted by Jack Klompus

Thanks for your thoughts ... but you didn't really add anything I did not already know.

You might have missed this one sentence I wrote: "Portability gives you PRIORITY while at home (same as residential)....but the same as ROAM while traveling."

I believe that answers your question and is supported by experience and Starlink support and support documents. The rest I wrote is to help everyone else in the current discussion topic to add clarity. There appear to be others who are still confused. I was just trying to consolidate the decision tree to perhaps help others.

[Jack Klompus]

Originally Posted by gsgriffin

You might have missed this one sentence I wrote: "Portability gives you PRIORITY while at home (same as residential)....but the same as ROAM while traveling.".

Hi!

I did not miss it. In fact I stated it in a post above and quopted the section from the TOS for another poster.

That's not the primary nature of my concern. The primary question is how feasible is it in the real world to pause and unpause the Regional Roam plan to eke out two to three billing periods per year to offset the cost difference. Are there hangups with that process we are not aware of yet? Does it work well. Is it prone to mistakes on Starlink's side from a technical pointy of view? Does the timing work well when deactivating and reactivating service, etc.

These may be questions we don't have a lot of answers for yet.

[mike625]

Originally Posted by Jack Klompus

The primary question is how feasible is it in the real world to pause and unpause the Regional Roam plan to eke out two to three billing periods per year to offset the cost difference.

Pause and Un-pause is performed on a monthly basis - Saving would depends on when you need it active and your billing date.

Your service can be paused or un-paused at any time on your account page. Service is charged in full monthly increments and cannot be pro-rated.

If you pause your service before the end of your current billing period, you will still receive service for the remainder of your billing period. When you un-pause your service, service will begin again immediately and you will be invoiced for the upcoming month of service 7 days after activation.

Originally Posted by Jack Klompus

Are there hangups with that process we are not aware of yet? Does it work well. Is it prone to mistakes on Starlink's side from a technical pointy of view?

Have not seen any post of people having issues with pausing. All the complaints have been because it is based on monthly billing and has to be paused 7 or more day before your billing cycle.

Originally Posted by Jack Klompus

Does the timing work well when deactivating and reactivating service, etc.

That depends on your travel timing - pausing has to be done before the start of your billing cycle and is monthly. If you are only traveling for 2 weeks across you billing date - you will end up paying for 2 mts.

[mike625]

Originally Posted by Jack Klompus

The real question is feedback from those who have switched from Residential with portability to Regional Roam

From this point - I'm not going to switch from portability to Regional Roam because I do not need to pause it. Only will switch if forced by Starlink.

There has been some major opening of Starlink map availability. I will likely just change my home address via my account to where I'm at "if the area is open" so I get the better performance. This is was I was doing 9/21 thru 3/22 when there was no roaming or portability.

[mike625]

Just received this from Starlink - So if you are at your home address - there will be no deprioritized after 1 TB of data use.

Good news! Your Starlink subscription will remain unlimited and will no longer be deprioritized after 1 TB of data use.

We’ve updated our Terms and Conditions to reflect this change. See the Starlink Fair Use policy to learn how we manage our network for the benefit of all customers.

We’ve also introduced the ability to easily change your service plan on your account portal or the Starlink app. There are four types of service plans available:

Standard for typical household use (your current service plan)
Priority for businesses and other high demand users (visit Business for more info)
Mobile for portable land use, such as RVs and camping (visit Roam for more info)
Mobile Priority for maritime, in-motion, and high demand mobile use (visit Maritime or Mobility for more info)

[MemByTheMile]

We use roaming and pause and unpause as needed.
It is required to give them OVER 7 days pause notice. We once paused with 7 days and 6 hrs and we still got billed. I contacted customer service and they reversed it seeing that I hadn’t had it turned on.

When resuming, the billing cycle starts on the day you resume.

As full time RVers, Starlink is an important tool for us, but we do not use it as our primary internet. It is our backup due to their cost compared to other options.

[Jack Klompus]

Originally Posted by MemByTheMile

We use roaming and pause and unpause as needed.
It is required to give them OVER 7 days pause notice. We once paused with 7 days and 6 hrs and we still got billed. I contacted customer service and they reversed it seeing that I hadn’t had it turned on.

When resuming, the billing cycle starts on the day you resume.

As full time RVers, Starlink is an important tool for us, but we do not use it as our primary internet. It is our backup due to their cost compared to other options.

This is really helpful.

[tnrzryd]

Sorry for asking a question that has probably been covered here before but…

I’m looking at getting the Starlink RV version to primarily stream shows/movies while traveling. We spend most of the summer in Petoskey/Traverse Michigan area. Is Starlink a viable option for us?

[docj]

Originally Posted by tnrzryd

Sorry for asking a question that has probably been covered here before but…

I’m looking at getting the Starlink RV version to primarily stream shows/movies while traveling. We spend most of the summer in Petoskey/Traverse Michigan area. Is Starlink a viable option for us?

Starlink is usable over pretty much the entire US and much of Canada. Your proposed location shouldn't pose any special issues. Starlink Roam accounts are always deprioritized data which means that the speeds can vary literally on a moment by moment basis. Most of the time you probably will be able to stream video but there may be times when you won't be able to. Some folks get upset when this happens, but that's what's in the TOS so you can't really complain.

[CWSWine]

If you are will pay for it you get "Mobile Priority Data" while roaming. Little more than I am willing to pay.

Below is an email I received from Starlink folks

As a Mobile (or "Roam") customer, you are now able to opt-in to purchase Mobile Priority Data for $2/GB. Mobile Priority Data enables our fastest network speeds for consumers and can be used on the ocean and land, anywhere Starlink has coverage in the world. This option is meant to provide flexibility while you travel - for example, use Starlink for a weekend excursion at sea or on an international trip.

To opt-in to Mobile Priority Data, sign into your account on the web or via the Starlink App. On your account page online, click "Manage" under "Your Starlinks", then select the "Mobile Priority" toggle. On your account page on the App, click "Data Usage", then select the "Mobile Priority" toggle. Once you opt-in, you will be automatically billed for Mobile Priority data used until you opt-out, including in following billing cycles.

Alternatively, you can change to a Mobile Priority service plan in your account on the web or via the Starlink App.

You can read more on your Mobile service plan in our updated Terms of Service.

Thank you for your continued support as an early Starlink customer!

The Starlink Team