Everything You Need To Know About Starlink Roam

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Starlink has changed the name of their portable service from Starlink RV to Starlink Roam. Regional Roam is just like the previous RV plan, which enabled you to use Starlink anywhere within your own continent. Global Roam enables you to use Starlink anywhere with active Starlink coverage, across multiple continents. This new global roaming service allows your Starlink dish to connect to satellites virtually anywhere on land in the world.

The previous Starlink RV and Portability add-on allowed continental travel, but Starlink Global Roam enables inter-continental travel without many of the restrictions applied to the other portability tiers. In this article, I am going to tell you everything you need to know about Starlink Roam. I will cover what it is, what it costs, how it works, and who it would be a good fit for.

What Is Starlink Roam?

Starlink Roam is a service plan from Starlink that enables on land travel with a Starlink dish. There are two options for Starlink Roam: Regional Roam, and Global Roam. Starlink Roam is Starlink’s portable service product line, and it is the new name for Starlink RV. Starlink satellites cover nearly all land on Earth, but the service is still available based on regulatory approval. You can check for up-to-date coverage information on the Starlink availability map.

Both Roam services come with a Standard Starlink hardware kit. Regional Roam has an option to upgrade to the Flat High Performance hardware for in-motion use. The Standard equipment is identical to the equipment sold with Residential. Contents of the kit include the Starlink dish, stand, router, and cables. Find out more about what comes with a Starlink kit here.

Starlink Roam Cost

The hardware kit for Global Roam costs $599, and you will pay $200 per month for the service. Global Roam can be paused so that you aren’t billed when it’s not in use. There are no contracts required, and customers can return the kit within 30 days for a full refund if they are not satisfied. Regional Roam (formerly Starlink RV) costs $150/month, with the hardware kit starting at $599.

You can also transfer previously used Starlink equipment into a new Global Roam or Regional Roam account. For details on this process, check out our guide on transferring and activating service for a used dish.

How Does Global Roaming Work?

The technology that allows global roaming to work is the inter-satellite links that have been going into service on the newer generations of Starlink satellites. Also known as the ‘space lasers’, these inter-satellite laser links allow for incredibly fast satellite to satellite communication. Global connectivity is achieved by reducing the amount of ground stations required to send data to the internet.

Before the space lasers, data was sent to the internet only via Starlink ground stations. Since there aren’t ground stations in every country, some areas of the globe were simply too far away from ground stations to be reliably serviced. The laser links allow data to be sent from satellite to satellite, through the Starlink constellation, and then to the optimal ground station. This enables low latency, high speed internet virtually anywhere on Earth.

Who Is It For?

At $200/month, Global Roam isn’t exactly cheap compared to most internet plans. In my opinion, Global Roaming will be best for international travelers or organizations who require Starlink service on multiple continents. Starlink Regional Roam is still available for $50/month cheaper, and will appeal to people who don’t need to travel between continents.

If connectivity is important to you on land, across the globe, Global Roam is a great value. There aren’t any other providers that offer global coverage with low latency and high speeds. My guess is that a lot of non-profits, businesses, and other organizations who operate in many different locations around the world will be the first to utilize this new service.

Regular domestic travelers, which includes most RV’ers, overlanders, campers, etc., will still find the best value with Regional Roam. With Regional Roam, you still have the ability to travel within an entire continent, you just can’t cross into another one.

Regional Roaming vs Global Roaming

You may be wondering, what’s the difference between Regional and Global Roaming? The first major difference is that Global Roam doesn’t have travel restrictions like the Regional plan. Starlink Regional Roam is limited to use within the same continent as the customers shipping address. Global Roam doesn’t have that restriction, so it can be used globally on virtually any continent.

The other difference is cost. Starlink Regional Roam costs $150/month, while Global Roam costs $200/month. The equipment cost for both services is the same at $599.

Finally, the last important distinction between Regional and Global Roam is that the in-motion, Flat High Performance hardware is not available for Global Roaming. The in-motion Starlink hardware can only be purchased on the Regional Roam plan.

What Speeds Do I Get With Starlink Roam?

Both Starlink Roam plans (Regional and Global) are deprioritized on the Starlink network. That means in times of network congestion, performance may suffer compared to Residential and Business Starlink customers in the area. That said, Starlink says Roam customers will get between 5-50 mbps download speeds, and 2-10 mbps upload speeds.

It’s also important to note that the Starlink satellite constellation isn’t yet finished. Starlink says that Global Roam customers should expect higher latency and regular service interruptions. Global roaming, as of right now, is a best effort kind of service. As more laser links come online, reliability and performance will improve. Regional Roam customers, who are typically in areas with existing Starlink ground stations, will have less of an issue with interruptions and reliability.

How Do I Order?

You will find the Roam service on the Starlink.com website, under the Roam menu. From there, enter your shipping address. Then, pick whether you want the standard Portable or the Mobile hardware (Mobile is not available with Global Roam). Finally, select Regional or Global Roam.

Finish filling out your information, and place the order. Billing starts 14 days after your order ships. You have up to 30 days from delivery to return your Starlink kit for a full refund.

How To Switch Between Global And Regional Roam

Starlink makes it pretty easy to switch between the Global and Regional Roam plans. Let’s say you typically only travel with Starlink in the US, but you have an upcoming trip to South America. You can switch to Global Roam to be able to use your dish outside of North America, and then switch back to the cheaper Regional plan when you return.

To switch between Global and Regional, log in to your Starlink.com account portal. Click Manage next to your Roam plan. Then click Change Service Plan. Choose between Regional, Global, and even the entry-level Maritime plan if you need to use Starlink at sea.

Restrictions With Starlink Roam

The two month restriction remains in place for both Starlink Roam plans. Starlink says that users who stay in one country for more than 2 months will need to update their registered address:

3.3 Limitation and Requirements for Starlink Roaming Users. Starlink Roaming Services is a consumer product only and is not available for purchase or use by commercial, enterprise, or governmental users. If you use Starlink Roaming Services for more than two months in a country that is different than your shipping address, Starlink may require you to move your registered address to your new location. Starlink does not guarantee when or where Starlink Roaming Services will be available. Starlink Roaming Services are dependent on many factors, including obtaining or maintaining the necessary regulatory approvals which are subject to change. Find a list of authorized territories (marked “Available or Waitlist”) on Starlink map: www.starlink.com/map.

Starlink Roaming Terms of Service

According to Starlink, the ‘registered address’ mentioned above is only for tax and billing purposes. So if you originally ordered Roam in Mexico, but stay in Canada for more than 2 months, the address on your Starlink account could update to Canada for tax and billing purposes. If the new country has a higher subscription cost, you may see your monthly bill increase.

Final Thoughts

The branding from Starlink RV to Starlink Roam came as a surprise to me and most Starlink fans. But after digging through the details and writing this article, I already feel confident that it was a smart move. After all, customers are using the portable Starlink service for way more than just RV’s. I feel that the new Roam name reflects the possibilities of the service even better than before.

The global roaming feature available with Starlink Roam is going to be a hit for many international travelers and organizations. Now you won’t have to worry about where you buy the equipment. You just buy it once and go, without worrying about straying outside of the original continent you purchased it in.

Do you find the features of Global Roam appealing for your situation? Is $200/month a reasonable price for this feature for the ability to travel globally? I would love to know your thoughts in the comments!

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Brian Rush
Brian Rush
2 days ago

Hi I am thinking of joining Starlink but have read some conflicting info on the internet.
BTW this site is so informative thank you.
So if we purchased the kit and link up in the UK I presume we will get a UK IP.
We also have a mobile inbthe south of France that we visit 3 to 4 times a year for periods of up to 4 weeks max.
Can I transport my hardware down and set it up each time we go?
Will that work on a temporary basis or will they disconnect the service?
Also will the IP remain as UK or will it change to a French one? (Needing a VPN).
I have checked and the service is available to order in my French address
Thanks in advance

francisb
francisb
11 days ago

does starlink roam pause and resume in 30 day increments? meaning you pay then pause 15 days in then you have another 15 days left?

KrashEd
KrashEd
12 days ago

Thanks for the good information. If I buy a Starlink V2 kit from eBay (reputable seller), do I just select Roam when I activate it since the hardware is the same?

mark
mark
16 days ago

Does Roam have its own router to produce the wifi signal? Do you connect it into a traditional router?

Carter
Carter
19 days ago

Excellent article. I do have a StarLink in motion package. I was using it on my boat going up and down the east coast. Received a email saying that I had to switch plans to the maritime with the 50 gigs. I wanted to know if my unit will still work after I use the 50 gigabytes or do I have to opt in to pay for the extra. It doesn’t seem right if you don’t use them they don’t roll over but you have to pay for extra. Hopefully they can come up with a better plan.

Melanie
Melanie
28 days ago

We have Starlink Roam for our RV $170CDN. Should I opt-in for the Mobile Priority Data charged per GB? I can’t seem to find a rate comparison on the internet.

Kim
Kim
1 month ago

I notice that residential has now dropped to $199.00 for the hardware but roam is still at $350.00. Can I purchase residential and switch to roam later? This is for my cabin in Canada and I only need it for the summer. I could save money on the hardware if they will allow that.

Nqo
Nqo
1 month ago

Very informative. Is it possible to buy a Starlink kit in the UK but with the registered country/address as Rwanda and the subscription for Rwanda set on regional roaming?

setorgunit
setorgunit
6 days ago
Reply to  Nqo

Starlink is officially available in Rwanda..Why would you order in the UK only to get all these geo fencing bruhaha

Trinidex
Trinidex
1 month ago

Great article. Do you know if Global Roaming will work in areas marked “Starting in 2023”?

Trinidex
Trinidex
1 month ago
Reply to  Trinidex

Answered my own question using your link to Starlink coverage!

My area of interest is labelled as “No Coverage” so based upon your response to Austin, Global Roam will not work there.

Thank you!

Austin
Austin
1 month ago

Thanks for the article! Curious to see if Roam could be a work around for areas that have service “Expanding in 2023”. So an area not just on a waitlist but an area that doesn’t seem to have service available yet (in Fairplay, CO). Wondering if Roam will still work in these areas or if it only works where Starlink is currently available according to their availbility map? I saw some other questions like this but wanted to ask it more directly. Thanks a bunch!

Austin
Austin
1 month ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

Thank you for the response! I appreciate your time. I was confused that “Expanding in 2023” just meant that the area was waitlisted. Thanks again.

Mark Lynch
Mark Lynch
1 month ago

You said “You have to have a Residential plan. When you go into your account dashboard, you hit Manage next to your Residential plan, and then hit Add Portability.”

No “Add Portability” and if I edit Service Plan RESIDENTAL I get “No products available to change”

Mark Lynch
Mark Lynch
1 month ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

I’m outside of Sacramento, Auburn CA 95602. Have had system for about a year and just checked there is no issue with getting a new residential for my area. Just can’t switch to roam.

Mark Lynch
Mark Lynch
1 month ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

ie. When selecting the edit button I get the following.CHANGE SERVICE PLANBy changing service plans, you are accepting the of the new plan. Read more here.

No products available to change

Mark Lynch
Mark Lynch
1 month ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

There is no help from Starlink.
Go to create ticket and I get in red, for the past 6 days.
Customers are temporarily experiencing longer wait times for support. We’re working to resolve this, but for the fastest resolution now, see our Help Center or download the Starlink App.
Nice huh…. Not really impressed by them.

Janee
Janee
1 month ago

I am in the US. We currently have DirectTV/AT&T internet at the residence, DirectTV/Hughes.net at the cabin and an RV that we would like to be able to watch TV and have internet in. My hope is to be able get either Starling Residence with portability or Starling Roam and dump DirectTV, AT&T and Hughes.net plus gain ability to stream in the RV. Is that realistic? I could see getting some additional mounting equipment for the home and cabin and will need some cable, but is the other equipment cumbersome to disconnect and move around?

Larry Pesava
Larry Pesava
1 month ago

If the availability map shows my address not available for residential, can I still use Starlink Roam in the same area and get connection?

Brandon Stier
1 month ago

Would Starlink roam be good for events? I’m looking to add this to my events for my vendors (up to 50) to connect to and process payment in an area that doesn’t have cell service or cell reception. Also wondering how far the signal reaches from the base/dish?

Brandon Stier
1 month ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

I see, this is for an outdoor venue, all of the vendors will only be using it for payment processing, not streaming. They would also only be at most 200 ft away from the base set up. Do you know if the Mesh router from starlink would be a good option to use to extend those points that would normally be on the outskirts of the signal range? Thank you for your help, very new to this!

Tom
Tom
1 month ago
Reply to  Brandon Stier

Outdoor should be just fine at 200ft, if there aren’t large objects/materials that would block a signal.

Pat Kelly
Pat Kelly
1 month ago

We currently have STARLINK RV. WE were just notified that our residential reservation is ready to process. Can we use the hardware we currently have for the residential service? It appears to be exactly the same

Pat Kelly
Pat Kelly
1 month ago

I currently have STARLINK RV and have just received confirmation that my residential order is ready to process. Can I use my existing dish for residential? It says on your website that it’s exactly the same.

Stisse
Stisse
1 month ago

How is Continental defined? E.g Canary Island belongs to Spain but I believe it is located in Continent Africa while Spain is in Europe. So what happends if I travel between the two locations and stays longer than 2 months each time. Do I need a global plan? It’s the same country.

Kim
Kim
1 month ago

I would like to use this at my cabin in the summer. I’m in Canada. Should I take the residential package and switch to roam later in the summer or is that allowed?

Kim
Kim
1 month ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

I do not need to take it back and forth. I will not need it until I go to the cabin probably in mid to late May. If it is delivered before that can I pause the monthly fee until I can get it installed?

Martin
Martin
1 month ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

How do you enable the portability add on? It just shows roam?

Carine
Carine
1 month ago

Do I have to do the initial setup of my Starlink global roam subscription on my service address, or can I do it from a remote location?

Carine
Carine
1 month ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

Thank you!

Jeremy
Jeremy
1 month ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

Does this apply to the Regional Roam plan as well? I.e. If I purchase the hardware in Mexico / have it shipped to Mexico, but then travel with it to the US and activate it in the US, would this be an issue with having a Mexico account / plan?

Hspring
Hspring
1 month ago

An Rv was purchased and a Starlink came with it. The seller had roam but discontinued his service and didn’t have the box. During sale, the seller failed to relay the device ID and Terminal ID. How do I get that off the device? I’ve never had Starlink before and was excited about this purchase but never thought to ask.

Pavlo Gleznya
Pavlo Gleznya
1 month ago

Hello,

do I have any chance to use global plan, for private maritime use on merchant ship, in Atlantic, pacific oceans, during sea passages?on board internet very limited, slow and expensive. So starlink roam, could be a win-win for me. Just wondering if it will still works at sea, and any speed limitation? My ship doing about 20 Kay speed. Starlink maritime is not an option because of cost. For private use as a seaman it too expensive. But hope is starlink roam

Pavlo Gleznya
Pavlo Gleznya
1 month ago
Reply to  Noah Clarke

Ok. Then another question. Any chance to encourage shipping companies to use Starlink, instead of other providers? Any chance to get contract for shipping company with about 80 ships for example? And if my company will choose starlink, than equipment can be rented or need to purchase for every ship?

Peter
Peter
1 month ago

Is there any way to get an explicit statement from SpaceX on use of Starlink on an inshore (e.g. inside passage up to Alaska) boat? The Marine version is out of reach for casual recreational boaters, and half the boats I encounter are using it. I was about to purchase a system when the new Terms and Conditions for Roam imply land only. As someone else mentioned, how is being at anchor or at a marina dock substantially different from an RV?

Johnny
Johnny
2 months ago

With the equipment cost of $599 is that billed all at once or over a period of time? I’m looking to order Starlink and it’s only requiring me to do a $99 deposit but it doesn’t say how equipment charges are applied.

Ric
Ric
2 months ago

I’m a snowbird in an RV and have met many people who are thrilled with Starlink. I plan to get it soon, but I also have DirecTV at home. If I get Roam will I be able to use that at my home during the summers? The cost of DTV and my crappy internet provider is more than the $150 for Starlink so that looks like a win-win. Also my area is currently in waiting period mode.