Starlink has introduced a new service tier, joining the existing Residential and Business levels. Starlink RV allows anyone to order a Starlink kit and enjoy the next generation of satellite internet from anywhere with active coverage.
We’ve previously covered Starlink Portability/Roaming Mode. It was always clear from the beginning that Starlink planned to offer portable solutions, and now it has officially arrived!
Table of Contents
What is Starlink RV?
Starlink RV is a new level of service offered by Starlink. It is different from Residential and Business service tiers. The target market for Starlink RV is recreational users who travel full-time or part-time in their travel trailers, RV’s, vans, etc.
Starlink is a constellation of low earth orbit satellites that create a global network of broadband internet access. Customers with the rectangular antenna’s can access high speed, low latency internet from anywhere that Starlink is active. The satellite deployment is in the early stages, and service will continue to expand and improve with new launches and regulatory approval.
Starlink RV allows van dwellers, RV’ers, and other recreational users to enjoy the Starlink network without the waitlist or location restrictions. There are a few caveats that we will cover below in more detail. The biggest one is that Starlink RV bandwidth is de-prioritized. In other words, if you are in a busy area with a lot of Starlink users, you’re last in line in terms of performance.
What’s the Starlink RV coverage area?
Starlink RV service is designed to operate anywhere with an active Starlink signal. See the Starlink availability map for areas that are currently covered. This includes areas labeled Low Capacity and High Capacity.
How much does Starlink RV cost?
The price for Starlink RV is broken down into two parts. The hardware kit costs $599, and service is $135 per month. The $25 per month portability fee is automatically added to your bill when you order Starlink RV, which is why the service starts out more than the $110 per month Residential tier.
Can I pause my Starlink RV subscription?
Yes, Starlink RV customers can pause and resume their service at any time. Service cannot be pro-rated. You will be charged in full monthly increments.
This means that seasonal users can enjoy Starlink during camping season, and then pause their subscription until they need to use it again. This is one of the most requested features from customers using the Portability/Roaming, and now it will be available to new Starlink RV customers.
What are the specs?
Starlink RV retains the same incredible performance capabilities as the regular service. The expected download speeds are 50-250 mbps under normal conditions. There are no data caps.
It is important to understand that regular Starlink customers have bandwidth priority. In areas with a lot of Starlink activity and congestion, Starlink RV customers will have a “best effort” service. Speeds could drop to as slow as 5 mbps, according to the specification table on Starlink’s website.
As the satellite deployment continues, bandwidth capabilities should increase.
Can I change my account to Starlink RV?
Yes, Residential customers are able to switch to Starlink RV. At this time, RV users are not able to switch back to Residential.
To change your account type to RV, log in to the account portal on the Starlink website.
If you want to remain a Residential customer but still travel, you’ll still be able to add Portability/Roaming to your Residential account for an extra $25/month when you need to take Starlink on the go. In other words, existing and dual-purpose customers in the Residential tier can still use Starlink just like Starlink RV customers.
The only downside for Residential customers is that they are not able to pause their subscription. Since standard Starlink service is based on your service address, you’ll be sent to the back of the waitlist if you cancel a standard account and then try to resume, unless your area has open availability.
It doesn’t look like Starlink RV customers can change to a Residential account at a later date. It’s not clear at this time if Starlink plans to allow customers to change between service tiers in the future.
Is there a waitlist for Starlink RV?
No, there is no waitlist for Starlink RV. One nice thing about this launch is that RV users do not have to wait to get a Starlink kit, like normal residential customers. When you go to the Starlink RV website, it asks only for a shipping address. You do not have to provide a service address like you do when you order the residential kit.
How do I order Starlink RV?
To order, simply visit the Starlink website. Click on RV in the upper right corner (mobile users need to expand the menu). Enter your shipping address, and Starlink will calculate your total cost. You can then purchase your hardware kit.
Should I order Starlink RV?
If you only plan to use Starlink on the go, never permanently staying in one place, we recommend ordering Starlink RV. The primary benefit of Starlink RV over Residential is the ability to pause and resume service at any time. That’s a big advantage for part-time travelers.
If you plan to use Starlink for home and RV, we recommend ordering the Residential tier if available. Remember, Residential Starlink customers can still use Portability/Roaming just like Starlink RV users. The big difference is that Residential customers cannot pause their subscription, which isn’t a concern if you use Starlink all year long.
Can I use Starlink RV at home?
Yes, you can use Starlink RV at home, even permanently, if you wish. The hardware is identical to Residential. The difference is that Starlink RV users are deprioritized on the network. RV users using the dish at home will experience slower speeds and degraded performance compared to regular customers.
Is there a 12V DC power supply available?
No, not at the moment. The Starlink router doubles as the power supply. You’ll need to supply 120V AC power to use Starlink. There is no word on whether Starlink will offer a DC power supply for RV’s.
Are there any Starlink RV mounts or accessories?
As of right now, there are no official Starlink RV mounts. Customers will need to use the included base that comes with the Starlink kit, or purchase additional mounts for a more permanent installation.
See Also: Starlink Mounting Options
There is an accessory called the Starlink Travel Case. This official Starlink accessory allows you to pack up and transport your rectangular Starlink kit when traveling. It’s perfect for Starlink RV customers. Check the Starlink shop to see more information.
See our recommended list of aftermarket cases for Starlink in our Starlink RV Case Guide.
I tweaked the starlink RV antenna by hand to align it to look at the sky. I’m guessing this broke the motors – the antenna still moves but will not lock on to anything. how would i know for sure and is there any option for repair?
Does it just say Offline – Searching in the app? No internet access? You will need to create a support ticket with Starlink, they can send you a new dish.
https://www.starlinkhardware.com/how-to-contact-starlink-customer-support/
Just received the Home version after having RV for a couple months as I couldn’t deal with the lousy internet I had. I know I can’t swap my account straight over, but can I just physically swap the gateway without having to re-install the physical dish itself? Hardware is identical, yes?
Actually I think the antenna/dish itself is the device tied to your account, so that will have to be switched. Worth a try to just swap the routers first, though. My understanding is that the firmware, device ID, service address, etc. is all stored in the software on the dish itself, not the router.
The hardware is identical, but each hardware has a unique device ID, service address, etc.
That seems really counter-intuitive to me, but who knows. I swapped out the router/gateway, and everything seems to be working fine. But speeds fluctuate greatly, so I don’t know how to tell if the dish itself is limiting anything, or telling SpaceX which system I am running. I may wind up swapping it out anyway… why take chances. But having to go 25′ up to do that is not something I am looking forward to.
The router itself isn’t necessary for the system to operate (besides being the power supply for the dish). You can actually put the router in bypass mode and use a 3rd party router if you wish. The original round dish had a separate power supply so you could eliminate the Starlink router entirely if you wished. That leads me to believe your account#, address, etc. are all loaded into the firmware of the dish itself, not the router.
Peers are using the RV version on vessels. They all claim the speeds are great and when the vessel changes course, loss of signal is temporary. I’m reading about future upgrades, any reason why I should wait or just go for it?
Considering the cost difference between Maritime and RV, I think trying it out is worth the risk if you really need a connection.
My son raves about the service they have in California. I’m looking for a solution I can use at our home in Northwest Arkansas but also use when we travel to our RV near Branson, MO. The RV is permanent and never moves from the property. Based on this, is the best plan to purchase the Starlink RV package, and use it between the two locations?
If you tend to stay at the RV for more than 2 months at a time, Starlink RV would be a better choice. Otherwise, you can order Residential for your home and purchase Portability mode when you head to the RV. With Residential you’ll get better performance while using it at home, and it’s $25/month cheaper until you enable Portability when using it at the RV.
What if I order portable residential service and one of the areas I will use it is on the waiting list? For example, my primary residence is on waiting list, but my secondary address is not?
Portability allows you to use Starlink even in waitlisted areas. Existing Residential users will have traffic priority, meaning you may experience slower speeds during periods of network congestion using Portability mode in a waitlisted area. But it will work in those waitlisted areas.
Does starlink rv have service at Big Sur California and it’s surrounding campground areas
Yep. Virtually all of the lower 48 states has coverage. Just remember, Starlink needs a clear, wide view of the sky. It generally points north.
Does waitlist on the map mean there is no service in that area, even for RV’s
There is active service in waitlist areas. It just means Residential users must wait before capacity expands in order to get their dish. There is service for RV users in waitlist areas.
Are the modems for RV and residential the same? Can you plug a cat 6 into it to extend range?
Yes, they are the same. The router doesn’t have an ethernet port but you can buy the Ethernet Adapter from Starlink to gain a port. If you mean extend the cable length, you have to buy their 150′ extension cable if you need more. A regular CAT6 cable won’t work due to the proprietary connectors on the dish.
I was thinking of a way to send a signal to another location on my ranch about 300 meters away. I would need to run cable 100 meters to get line of sight the rest of the way.
I don’t have Starlink yet (I might RV if nothing by end of “mid-2022”), but being a network engineer and currently having my (crappy) internet pumped throughout my farm, I can so almost positively using Ubiquiti wireless bridges can inexpensively do what you want. I’m using NanoStation 5AC Loco model (was $49 each on Amazon prior to everything shortage). They have other models slightly larger and slight more $s but only use the proprietary WiFi device over 5GHz. 5 minutes to setup and fine-tuning easy if needed.
Exciting… until you get into details… Garbage!
An “rv kit” for a device that is potentially on 24/7 AND consumes 60 watts which isn’t 12vdc is insanely dumb. The inverter overhead is quite a bit, and I prefer not to use an Inverter at all.
No mounting options.. lol.
I doubt anyone at Tesla has ever used an RV.
It’s really the only option for internet/communication in remote locations without cell coverage. The amount of subscribers sort of speaks for itself, there is a huge demand despite the drawbacks you mentioned. Starlink is a division of SpaceX, not Tesla.
You say that RV will work wherever StarLink offers service. So my RV service registered in England will work in USA and Australia for example? This is important to me as previously the restriction to same content would force me to purchase 3 residential services. Thanks.
Starlink RV can only be used on the same continent as your shipping address. You can use it in any country with service within your continent. If you stay in a different country for more than 2 months, Starlink will force you to buy another line of service in that country.
Source: https://www.starlink.com/legal/documents/DOC-1020-91087-64?regionCode=US
“Limitation and Requirements or RV Users. Starlink for RV can only be used within the same continent as the registered shipping address. If you use Starlink for RV Services for more than two months in a country that is different than your shipping address, you will be required to move your registered address to your new location or purchase an additional Starlink to maintain Service.”
Is the dish really the same for RV vs residential ? Can I order a roof mount for the RV version ?
It’s the same hardware you get with the residential kit. Starlink doesn’t offer any RV accessories at the time of this comment. I’m confident we will get some aftermarket and maybe even official accessories pretty soon now that the service has launched.
I think most people are fine with leaving it as is because:
1. It’s expensive hardware, they don’t want it permanently mounted on the roof where it is at risk of rock chips, etc. during travel.
2. You need to move the dish around to find the best signal away from trees. On top of your roof might not always be the best place, so it’s handy to be able to just take the standard base and move it anywhere at your campsite.
What’s the power consumption of the RV version? Same of the home version or were there any improvements given it’s meant to be used on the road?
From what we can tell, it’s the exact same hardware as the residential version. Pulls around 30-60 watts.
If you are in a waitlist area with no local service, even 5mbps is good. So should I get Starlink RV for my local service? Is the equipment the same no matter what? Will that keep me on the waitlist for Starlink at home? If so, once it comes to my area (initially projected 2021, now 2023), can I just cancel Starlink RV and use regular Starlink? We are desperate!
I would recommend creating two accounts. Pre-Order for $99 with one email address. Lock your place in line. Order Starlink RV on another account. Like you said, even throttled service is better than nothing, so it should work fine for that purpose. As of right now, the dish cannot be transferred from one service type to another. Starlink said they might offer that in the future. But for now, that means you’ll have to buy another dish when your home pre-order is ready. But I would bet that by the time the residential tier is available at your home, Starlink will simply allow you to change your account type from RV to residential.
The hardware between RV and residential is the same.
Why two emails? The online ordering allows you to order both, one on preorder waitlist and still order the RV StarLink. This is what I did and both are viewable in the same app. However, I have not received my RV Kit yet but do plan on testing it from a prospective home site…
That’s for correcting my misunderstanding, Paul. I also checked and you can pre-order Residential and buy RV from the same account.
What power does it use? 12v or 120V? Do you have to run an inverter to use this?
120V AC power to the router/power supply. There is no 12V DC power supply available at this time. You’ll need an inverter to use Starlink.