For many grey nomads heading out into Australia’s remote regions, not being able to communicate easily with the outside world is a major issue.
Whether it be for safety reasons or simply to keep in touch with loved ones, phone coverage blackspots are an inconvenient fact of life in much of the Outback. Good news could be coming though.
While still in its infancy, it is becoming clear that Elon Musk’s much-vaunted Starlink project has the potential to completely revolutionise the Big Lap experience. SpaceX is in the process of deploying thousands of small satellites into low-Earth orbit to provide high-speed, low latency broadband internet around the world … and there are strong signs that travellers on the move might be able to access it.
While it has long been assumed that satellite internet services would always require users to operate from a fixed address in a fixed location, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk is refusing to be limited by conventional thinking. SpaceX says it believes that – as it increases coverage by launching more satellites and rolls out new software – its service will be available to those on the road.
The company is now working on an antenna that will connect vehicles like trucks and RVs. In a tweet, the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, clarified that the antenna would not be for connecting cars to Starlink, saying that the user ‘terminal is much too big’.
“This is for aircraft, ships, large trucks and RVs,” he said.
SpaceX has just filed with the US Federal Communications Commission seeking the go-ahead to produce Earth Stations in Motion or ESIM.
“This application would serve the public interest by authorizing a new class of ground-based components for SpaceX’s satellite system that will expand the range of broadband capabilities available to moving vehicles,” said SpaceX director of satellite policy, David Goldman.
In a letter to the Commission, Mr Goldman wrote that ‘no longer are users willing to forego connectivity while on the move’.
For long-term caravanners and motorhomers this all spells great news. It would mean that, as long as they can see the sky, travellers will be able to sit anywhere in the country and enjoy an internet connection.
Starlink satellites are different to traditional communication satellites in that they are only 500-800 kilometres above Earth, rather than the typical 37,000 kilometres. The closer distance improves latency, which is the time it takes to get a response.
Starlink hardware currently costs a total of $709, with the service to also cost a $139 monthly fee. Shipping and handling will also cost $100 for Australians.
Does this mean that my old baked bean tin can on a string will become obsolete?
Proves that he is a conman. We have internet wherever we go through Telstra
How can you tout that he’s a conman without providing any proof? The mind boggles, mate. More competition is good, rather than being beholden to Telstra’s pricing plans. It’s likely that this is unlimited as well.
And no. Unless you pay through the nose for Telstra’s satellite offering you do not have internet wherever you go with Telstra. Stop spreading falsehoods.
Would you share the Telstra plan you chose please.
Telstra isn’t everywhere. This enables people to connect everywhere even where Telstra isn’t.
139 a month
No thanks. Keep your dangle fangle starlink
Might be unlimited. Depends on your day usage. More competition is good
$139 a month for unlimited is good especially if you are in the middle of nowhere where Telstra can’t go. I pay $65/mth for mobile and $80 for NBN so it is actually cheaper.
Part of enjoying the vastness and isolation of this great big beautiful ancient Continent is the silence and harmony of being in tune with its heartbeat.
Im glad to be out of distance from most communication, except emergency links.
We are very lucky and thankful for what our country has to offer.
Enjoy life and your travels. Cheers.
True, but why not have the choice to connect with your family and friends while on the road?
Or for those of us who want to be off grid but still have to work while travelling. This seems pretty good.
What about a serious accident out woop woop and needing emergency services this service could be a lifesaver. We will signup very quickly, great service and having contact with family is priceless. Plus Masterchef wheneve4 you want. Woohoo!
This will be brilliant. Provided the proposed RV antenna becomes available, I’ll be running my projects from way way outback.
No covid-19 where I’ll be going 🙂
The ground level tripod looks good. We just need to know how heavy it is to set up each time we make camp.