Internet coverage out bush

[davsgold]

Any info on using this technology on Android yet?

if you mean using your android to make phone calls over the starlink internet connection, then yes we do it all the time, just set your phone to use WiFi calling and you can receive and make phone calls, no different to when using the phone in town on the normal connection via Telstra or whoever your with

 

[Nightjar]

Do realise some need internet. Me love getting away and leaving all that behind. Joy of bush solitude and picking up a few nugs.

 

[bicter]

if you mean using your android to make phone calls over the starlink internet connection, then yes we do it all the time, just set your phone to use WiFi calling and you can receive and make phone calls, no different to when using the phone in town on the normal connection via Telstra or whoever your with

Dave, I was referring to Hippyty79's testing of his iphone and the grubstakes referenced comment:
"Present bright spots on the horizon are that the latest generation of Apple iPhones - so far in North America only - can in an emergency utilise existing satellite links to get a message for help to authorities. Also, Starlink are starting to experimentally test use of their ever-growing satellite constellation to transmit/receive calls directly to/from mobile phones. The future for simple, universal remote area comms looks promising and probably within the next 10 years."

 

[grubstake]

For a rough comparison of the ranges necessary for the earthbound equipment, these are the orbit heights above Earth of the various well-known communications system satellites:
NBN Sky Muster (geo-stationary/fixed orbit) = 35,768 km
Iridium (Low Earth Orbit) = 485 km
Starlink (Low Earth Orbit) = 340-614 km

Geo-stationary satellites orbit at the same speed that the Earth rotates, so they are always at the the same place in the sky above, but a very long distance away. Low Earth Orbit satellites move across the sky, so a phone using them is constantly tracking the nearest members of the satellite constellation and switching seamlessly between them to maintain its communications link. This is basically the same thing earthbound mobile phones do with cell towers as the phone is moved from place to place, but over a much greater distance with the satellites.

 

[Hippyty79]

Dave, I was referring to Hippyty79's testing of his iphone and the grubstakes referenced comment:
"Present bright spots on the horizon are that the latest generation of Apple iPhones - so far in North America only - can in an emergency utilise existing satellite links to get a message for help to authorities. Also, Starlink are starting to experimentally test use of their ever-growing satellite constellation to transmit/receive calls directly to/from mobile phones. The future for simple, universal remote area comms looks promising and probably within the next 10 years."

I’m not to sure about android phones, from a google search the latest Samsung was rumoured prior to its release as going to have emergency satellite sos, but never came through.
I’m not sure how the technology works and if it’s something a firmware update could activate?
Its active in Aus with iPhone 14 onwards though, at the moment you can sos to emergency services and send your location to friends and family that you are sharing your location with on the find my phone app, once every 15mins.
I still wouldn’t substitute it for a plb, you’ve only got to drop and smash the screen and your knacked, but it is a bonus having a bit of extra assurance, particularly if the issue isn’t life threatening, eg breakdown, twisted ankle, bung knee.
Here’s a read up on it.

https://www.apple.com/au/newsroom/2...satellite-available-in-australia-new-zealand/

 

[Hippyty79]

Here’s an interesting little right up.
https://mashable.com/article/google-maps-satellite-connectivity
I get the feeling it will not be long before mobile satellite coverage will be the norm, but I wasn’t that long ago that snake, postage stamp size screens and polyphonic ringtones of your favourite band was all the rage.

 

[Navara]

Starlink working a treat,excellent reception.
TV Google

 

[grubstake]

Everywhere you can buy Starlink in Australia:
https://gizmodo.com.au/2024/05/buy-starlink-australia/

 

[grubstake]

Starlink Mini to 'change the world', will cost half as much and offer up to 100Mbps:
https://techau.com.au/starlink-mini...ll-cost-half-as-much-and-offer-up-to-100mbps/

 

[davsgold]

Starlink Mini to 'change the world', will cost half as much and offer up to 100Mbps:
https://techau.com.au/starlink-mini...ll-cost-half-as-much-and-offer-up-to-100mbps/

we have the Gen2 Starlink and it's brilliant, if the Starlink Mini works half as well it will be very good

 

[Simmo]

we have the Gen2 Starlink and it's brilliant, if the Starlink Mini works half as well it will be very good

From early reports, its not as cheap as first indicated.
Speed limited to 100 mbps and 50 gig download then pay extra per gig.
Up-side I think is the size and 12v compatible out of the box.
The router will be interesting to find out about 'coz they've gone back to wifi 5, whereas the Gen 3 V4 is wifi 6 and brilliant!?

 

[Hippyty79]

If the price comes in at $70 a month, I think it will shake up our local telcos. This kind of reminds me of Netflix’s and blockbuster in a way!

 

[grubstake]

For those thinking about Starlink, there's a starter kit mega-special available at present at the usual suspects (Officeworks, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, etc):

 

[Martin]

There's a special on now when buying the hardware from Starlink directly, $300 off

STARLINK FOR HOMES
LIMITED TIME OFFER - ENDS 12 OCTOBER
$299 $599 FOR HARDWARE
https://www.starlink.com/au/residential

Been using Starlink since May because I moved to a remote area, couldn't be happier.

Not as good as my FTTP NBN in western Sydney, 850 to 950mbps. Now I sit anywhere around 350 to 450mbps for download speeds with Starlink.

 

[Araratgold]

Just setup a Starlink Mini satellite dish, on special from JB HiFi.
Lightening fast first speed test ! To say we are happy is an understatement. Will be taking it to WA next year, for internet ANYWHERE ! What a gamechanger !
Have now closed our Optus mobile broadband off, from which we would only get 25 download on a really good day, but less than 10 most days, even though we had 4 bars of 4G ! !

 

[Martin]

Just setup a Starlink Mini satellite dish, on special from JB HiFi.
Lightening fast first speed test ! To say we are happy is an understatement. Will be taking it to WA next year, for internet ANYWHERE ! What a gamechanger !
Have now closed our Optus mobile broadband off, from which we would only get 25 download on a really good day, but less than 10 most days, even though we had 4 bars of 4G ! !

Great stuff, good to see it's working well for you.

Being 6 hours from Sydney I'm very happy with the service. Funny hearing other people in my area without Starlink complaining about internet all the time.

All we need now is Starlink phone service. Unfortunately this will be a joint venture with Optus:

Optus, in collaboration with SpaceX, which designs, manufactures and launches some of the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft, today announced an agreement to deliver mobile connectivity using SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation. Together, Optus and SpaceX plan to cover 100% of Australia*.

https://www.optus.com.au/about/medi...spacex-plan-to-cover-100-percent-of-australia

 

[madmax800jw]

Just setup a Starlink Mini satellite dish, on special from JB HiFi.
Lightening fast first speed test ! To say we are happy is an understatement. Will be taking it to WA next year, for internet ANYWHERE ! What a gamechanger !
Have now closed our Optus mobile broadband off, from which we would only get 25 download on a really good day, but less than 10 most days, even though we had 4 bars of 4G ! !

Hi Rick,
Can I please ask what 5he monthly charge is once you bought the hardware.
Was thinking about getting fir when I'm at my Vic place or /and WA.

THANKS

 

[Martin]

Can I please ask what 5he monthly charge is once you bought the hardware.

Pretty sure it's this: https://www.starlink.com/au/roam

Starts at $80/mo for 50gb or $195/mo for unlimited.

 

[Araratgold]

Hi Rick,
Can I please ask what 5he monthly charge is once you bought the hardware.
Was thinking about getting fir when I'm at my Vic place or /and WA.

THANKS

Per what Martin said. Not cheap, but gamechanger for me ! We have the unlimited for home use, but will drop it to 50gb when I'm in WA.

 

[Moneybox]

The Starlink Mini has some advantages. The Mini uses a lot less power to run and the modem is internal. It's just the dish and cable and I don't notice its power consumption even when used for hours at a time.