For grey nomads who worry about ‘being out of contact’ when they get out into really remote country, the game has really changed!
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has just launched its ‘Starlink for RVs’ service aimed specifically at those who live on the open road.
The new ‘roaming’ capability allows high-speed internet at different locations on the road … assuming users have the Starlink hardware and it is within the coverage area.
As things stand, users can access the internet using Starlink in the lower half of Australia. The service is currently available across the entirety of Tasmania, Victoria, ACT, and NSW, up the east coast as north as Bundaberg, and as north as Geraldton on the west coast.
New satellites are being launched constantly and coverage will increase quickly. It is expected that all of Australia will be covered in the first quarter of 2023.
The initial cost of ordering Starlink for RVs is under $1100 including delivery, with an ongoing monthly fee of $174 with no data caps. Starlink quotes an expected download bandwidth of 50-250Mbps, making it comparable with NBN speeds locally.
The service will not work while the vehicle is in motion so grey nomads will have to park up before checking their stocks and shares, looking up a good campfire recipe, or booking into their next campsite online.
When the RV is parked, the Starlink satellite dish must have a clear view of the sky as trees and mountains will block reception. And even travellers in modest sized rigs can use the service, although Elon Musk did tweet that the antennae set-up would be too big to put on a normal car!
The whole concept has got many grey nomads quite excited, especially as the area of coverage is to quickly expand to cover the whole country.
“I’ve got a few questions but this has the potential to really transform my trip,” said full-time grey nomad, Dominic James. “From when I did my first Big Lap to now, the whole communication picture has changed beyond belief and this would be the final joyous piece of the jigsaw … incredibly exciting.”
Others were not quite sure, though.
“Of course, it will be useful but, as this becomes the norm, it is the end of real adventure in a way,” said Kevin Oliver, who describes himself as an ‘old-school’ traveller. “Everyone will know where we are and what we are doing every single day … maybe it’s just making it ‘too easy’ if you know what I mean.”
Use a product called cel-fi go it is a Telstra product. About the same price but you use your data. No signal no service.
$175.0 a month!! I don’t think so.and a $1100.0 cost to buy.
Far to expensive..
Garmin outreach $500.0 to buy.
Basic plan $20.0 per month..
Can keep in contact for breakdown,give family update..
Slightly different, sending a text to let people know you are ok, to having full access to the internet… a breakdown in the middle of the desert will never be the same again, now you can contact your guru on the other side of the world to ask his advice, as a couple we already pay $80 a month for mobile internet, which only works in certain areas… this would do away with the need for that, and a sat phone at the same time… i’ve just heard its not as good as they Starlink state it is!
“Everyone will know where we are and what we are doing every single day … maybe it’s just making it ‘too easy’ if you know what I mean.”
If you use a mobile phone then thy already know where you are!
All well and good what’s the dish weigh??
More stuff to carry around and a little expensive… will carry on with my Telstra coverage…
The best part about it is you can choose to leave it switched off…
I believe the existing system requires 240v to run. Is this the case for the RV option?
At the moment who wants to check there shares!,
Great to have system where can check BOM radar and road conditions!
We work from our van and this will be an enormous step up for us. Very keen to explore this further. If it is as good as I have read this might give us the option to work permanently from our van.
This has been a dream of mine
Travelling this great, not big but huge country of ours without decent communications is annoying and to be honest, it can be fatal if the worst eventuates.
We did a trip from Brisbane to far North Qld last year Then on to the Gulf country. Borroloola, to visit John Moriarty’s indigenous football program. ⚽️ . We then went on to Katherine and Darwin. We saw some amazing vistas and met some wonderful people. Kakadu, Katherine Gorge, etc.
We collected a lot of footage from our Rear and front Dashcams. We shot a lot of video with our cameras and shot something over 1,000 stills.
That created a lot of work when got back home. A lot of it wasn’t done due to leading a busy life back home.
During all that trip I tried uploading edited footage but found that it would’ve got there quicker if I had mailed it.
Having a fast speed internetservice anywhere in the country would’ve meant an hour or so each day editing when the things we shot would’ve been fresh in our minds. It also would’ve meant we could’ve deleted our SD cards each day.
Here’s the rub though, and the thing some might not be thinking about:
When Starlink eventually covers ALL of Australia. There will be people setting up live stream shows of their travels. Travellers will be able to interact live with their audience as well.
That will attract sponsors for those taking up that activity. The livestream shows will be seen worldwide as well. Much like the dashcam footage you now watch on YouTube. Businesses, and other attractions won’t blink at handing over $50 or a free meal/room for a night to someone with a world wide audience that will feature their business and that highlights the location’s attractive features.
Such a development would not only mean you’ll nearly travel for free by saving or getting $50 x 4 or 5 in a week. It’ll mean your Starlink service will be paid for.
The other benefit might be that you will not only help the communities you travel through by attracting, nit only local Australians to visit but also, some hundreds/thousands? overseas visitors.
You might even become an internet personality. And be asked to appear at some television shows to tell your story.
If you can afford the set up and the monthly fee and if you think long term…. you could change your future.
I could go on about other possibilities that would fund your travels but I’ve hone on long enough for now.
Fir now, suffice to say, there are business opportunities that could pay fir the maintenance and registration of your vehicle and any upgrades you might want for it.
Train up so you can deliver a quality broadcast.
Can’t do it now due to personal circumstances but maybe…. one day, I might see you on thr road.
Goid luck.