Many of these drawbacks have more to do with limitations inherent in any satellite internet provider. There are other issues simply because the Starlink internet is new and still in its infancy. As Starlink grows, this may change and provide more value to potential users. Having said that, here are some of the disadvantages of using Starlink internet at the moment.
● Coverage is still insufficient
While Starlink is available in most of the US according to its website, there are still quite a few areas that are inaccessible due to lack of capacity. In addition to the United States, there are many other countries where Starlink will not be available until next year or even longer. These include Canada, most of Scandinavia, all of Asia and the Middle East, South America, Africa, and more. Starlink does plan to provide coverage for these countries, but it will take longer.
This problem will improve as more satellites are launched and activated, and more and more countries and regions will be covered after regulatory approval. And, as the number of satellites increases, even rural areas will eventually be able to access the internet.
● Need to install by yourself
Starlink home terminals androuterIt is self-installed, which may save the user installation costs. However, this can also cause problems for those who do not have any expertise in such projects. Installing the terminal yourself can be potentially dangerous, as many people need to climb on the roof to install it. If the user lacks technical knowledge, it can turn into a particularly arduous process of trying to figure out how everything works. In the end, users may end up paying someone to do it anyway.
Whether this is bad for you depends on whether you have the time and skills to install Starlink yourself. For those who can’t install a terminal on their own or don’t have a handy family member who can take on the task, other satellite internet companies may be a better fit, as most of them will send technicians to install the hardware.
● Slow and unreliable compared to home broadband
Although Starlink is one of the fastest satellite internet providers, it simply cannot compete with cable internet. If you’re looking for speed, cable internet is generally much faster, as satellite internet explains.
While satellite internet excels at providing broad coverage, speed is sacrificed. According to The Verge, Starlink can provide 50 to 250 MB of internet for $99 a month, plus a $499 installation kit. This is a bit slower than typical wired internet, and slower than fiber internet.
Starlink also offers a $500 monthly premium plan for speeds between 150 and 500 MB, plus an additional $2,500 for the antenna. However, it’s a costly hurdle for those looking for discounted internet, and this package is aimed more at businesses and offices. Still, top cable internet providers offer similar or better speeds at more affordable prices.
● Obstacles may cause the connection
Obstacles may interfere with satellite internet connections. Terminals need to be set up in an area with a perfectly clear sky overhead, otherwise they may be affected by many obstacles. This can be difficult if you live in a densely populated or forested area. It can also make setting up the terminal more of a hassle if you don’t have an unobstructed view of the sky.
Cable internet is not affected by such issues as it does not require an open sky view to function properly. However, it’s also why Starlink may be better suited for open rural areas in the future rather than cities with tall buildings and other objects that could obstruct the sky.
● The running state is not good in the urban environment
In big cities you will usually find much slower speeds if connected via satellite. This is because everyone in the city using the same provider is sharing bandwidth from satellites passing through it. Since there are definitely more people in the city using the same provider, this affects internet speed. In rural or suburban areas where satellite internet might be more useful, this won’t be a huge problem.
Each type of internet provider can have its downsides, you just need to know if any of them are bad for you. Speaking of Starlink, it’s a great option for those living in rural areas, especially with the addition of more coverage.
