Most people think of Starlink as just another internet option, but if you live in a rural or remote area, you know it’s so much more than ...
Most people think of Starlink as just another internet option, but if you live in a rural or remote area, you know it’s so much more than that. Out here, high-speed internet isn’t something you can take for granted — cable and fiber often don’t exist, and traditional satellite has always been painfully slow.
That’s exactly why Starlink has been such a game changer. After using it daily for over two years, I can tell you it’s not perfect, but it has transformed the way I live and work.
Here are the five biggest things you need to know about Starlink internet — based on real-world experience, not just the marketing pitch.
1. What Starlink Actually Is
Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite-based internet service. Unlike traditional providers that depend on underground cables, Starlink connects you through a network of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Here’s the simple version:
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Your dish talks to satellites overhead.
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Those satellites relay to ground stations linked to the wider internet.
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You get online without a single cable in sight.
The biggest selling point is coverage: Starlink makes fast, reliable internet available almost anywhere on Earth — whether you’re in a cabin in the mountains, camping in the desert, working on a farm, or even sailing offshore.
2. Where You Can Get It
Starlink’s coverage already spans:
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The U.S. and Canada (including Alaska and Hawaii)
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Mexico and much of South America
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Most of Europe
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Large parts of Asia
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Across Australia
Basically, if your country allows it and you have open sky above, you can connect.
For people in rural areas where there’s no fiber or cable, this is a lifeline. Suddenly, you can stream, work remotely, and stay connected without compromise.
3. What It Costs
Here’s the breakdown of what you’ll pay:
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Equipment: You buy the Starlink kit (dish, router, and cables). Optional mounts are extra.
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Monthly service: The residential plan is $120/month.
That’s more than fiber or cable in the city, but if you’ve got no other option, it’s worth it. And the best part? Starlink has no contracts. It’s month-to-month service, so you can pause or cancel whenever you want without penalty.
There are specialty plans for RVs, boats, and even planes, but the residential plan is all most people will ever need.
4. How Fast It Really Is
Starlink advertises speeds of 100+ Mbps down, 20+ Mbps up, and latency around 30 ms.
Here’s what I’ve personally seen:
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Download: Usually 150–250 Mbps
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Upload: Around 30–50 Mbps
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Latency: Consistently ~30 ms
That’s more than enough for streaming in HD, video calls, cloud backups, and even some online gaming.
Of course, speeds can vary depending on your region and how many people are using the network at the same time. But overall, the performance has only improved over time — which is the opposite of most ISPs.
5. The Hardware You’ll Get
Starlink has released a few different hardware versions.
The older kit came with a motorized rectangular dish that automatically adjusted itself to track satellites.
Starting in early 2024, the new version 4 kit was introduced:
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A flatter, larger dish with no motor (it’s fixed in place).
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More durable in wind and extreme weather.
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Bundled with an upgraded Wi-Fi 6 router that supports mesh networking, faster speeds, and built-in Ethernet ports.
Both versions work great, but if you’re signing up today, you’ll likely get the newer kit by default.
Final Thoughts
Starlink isn’t meant to replace city fiber or cable. Instead, it’s about delivering modern internet access to places that have always been underserved.
If you live in a big city with fiber, you don’t need it. But if you’re off the grid, running a rural business, working remotely, or just tired of buffering on old DSL or satellite, Starlink can feel like a miracle.
For me, it’s been transformative. I can work, stream, and stay connected like anyone else. And with every passing year, the service just keeps getting better.
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