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Keeping Connected On The Go - Without Starlink

SpaceX's Starlink satellite broadband constellation has become a game-changing option for mobile internet for many RVers and boaters over the past few years, allowing nomads of all types to stay abundantly connected in places not possible before. 

However, Starlink has drawbacks, and we at the Mobile Internet Resource Center are often asked for advice on alternatives.

One may not want to use Starlink for many reasons, such as rising monthly costs, issues with obstructions, constant plan and terms of service changes, off-grid power consumption concerns, or other more personal reasons.

Can nomads still travel with abundant connectivity - without relying on Starlink?

The answer for most is YES!

With a little work, you can completely dial back or eliminate your dependency on Starlink.

Even if you intend to keep Starlink in your connectivity arsenal, knowing your alternatives can pay off when you encounter Starlink congestion or obstruction issues.

Read on for details in our guide:

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Starlink Alternatives Video

Join MIRC founder Chris as he goes over some of the alternative strategies to using Starlink as your primary mobile internet solution:

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Why You Might Want a Starlink Alternative

Ask in almost any RV or boating group how to get internet while traveling, and dozens of people will give you the simple answer: Starlink!

But for many, Starlink isn't the best solution. 

Here are a few reasons why some nomads might not rely primarily on Starlink or forego it altogether:

• Rising Costs—A roaming data plan on Starlink is currently $165/month for unlimited 'best effort' low-priority data. We've seen this price increase multiple times over the years - and these increases have always applied to existing and new customers. 
• Dropouts—For uninterrupted service on Starlink, you need a relatively clear view of the sky. Parking under trees or in the shade can cause dropouts, sometimes severe enough to prevent you from getting things done, especially with more sensitive connections like video conferencing and broadcasting. 
• Service Issues—Starlink often has slower uplink speeds than cellular, which can be a concern for those needing to handle large file uploads and broadcasting. Starlink service is also subject to congestion slowdowns in crowded markets, sometimes resulting in unusable speeds. 
• Constantly Changing Terms - Starlink has regularly increased prices and changed terms on its plans, with little or no notice given to customers. 
• Large Equipment—A Starlink Standard system can take up a lot of roof or storage space. The Starlink Mini dish reduces this by quite a bit, but it still takes up more space than a cellular system.
• Higher Power Usage—Connecting via Starlink uses a lot more power than a cellular-based solution, which is a significant consideration for those utilizing off-grid power solutions like solar. 
• Not Wanting to Support Elon Musk / SpaceX—In these highly politically charged times, some people may not want to support SpaceX financially. 

Whatever your reason, fortunately, there are good alternative options to replace or complement Starlink in your mobile connectivity arsenal.

For more information on the Pros & Cons of Starlink:

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Cellular: The Primary Starlink Alternative

Cellular data has been the primary way many nomads have kept online for years, and coverage and speeds have improved dramatically in the 5G era.

If you have a modern 5G device with good mid-band cellular support, the performance available on cellular can often substantially exceed what Starlink is capable of. This is especially true if upload performance is a goal—cellular is commonly much faster than Starlink for uploads.

Of course, the catch with cellular is coverage—every carrier has dead zones, and no carrier is "the best" nationwide.

However, 5G coverage maps have grown substantially in recent years, and if you build a connectivity solution that can tap into two or even three different carriers, you might be surprised at just how many places you can stay connected.

There are now multi-carrier plans that can keep you connected via multiple carriers with just a single data plan, or you can use more advanced cellular routers that can actively combine and bond together multiple cellular connections at once for increased reliability and performance.

Building a reliable and redundant cellular internet solution isn't always as simple as purchasing a Starlink dish and pointing it at the sky. But with a little work, you can build a connectivity solution that is typically more reliable and often cheaper per month than Starlink alone.

We have extensive resources here at the Mobile Internet Resource Center to help guide you on the options:

For more on cellular data and using multiple internet sources simultaneously:

Multi Carrier Data Plans

Some data plans now work with multiple carriers, giving you the benefit of multiple coverage maps without using multiple SIM cards or paying for multiple data plans.

Some options work only on very specific devices, while some providers have multi-carrier SIMs that work with any device.

One example is RoamLink by our partners at MobileMustHave.com, which works with any Peplink router. As an exclusive perk for our MIA members, MobileMustHave will activate RoamLink plans even on non-Peplink cellular data devices. 

For more on Multi-Carrier Plans:

Cellular Signal Enhancing Tips

While using cellular connections, there are signal-enhancing tactics that you can use to help pull in those weaker signals and minimize drops and dead zones.

The most common option is a roof-mounted omnidirectional antenna connected to an internal cellular router or hotspot.

An omnidirectional antenna can pull in signals from any direction, so it is important that it has a clear 360-degree line of sight to minimize dropouts.

The external antenna method only works on devices with antenna ports, which often limits it to higher-end routers and some hotspots. 

For more information on signal enhancing, see our guide:

Planning Your Travels Around Coverage Maps

If you rely on cellular, you will have to keep in mind that cellular signal isn't everywhere, making you dependent on your carrier's coverage map. 

The good news is that carriers have greatly expanded their reach in recent years, making this much easier than it used to be. 

There are multiple resources for planning your travels around connectivity - from apps like our own 'Coverage?' (putting the coverage maps on your phone), to crowdsourced signal-finding apps, to using reviews of campgrounds & marinas. 

For resources on Travel Planning:

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Redundancy over Starlink Alone

Even if you keep Starlink as part of your connectivity arsenal, having multiple options to get online has been and continues to be the most reliable way to stay connected in a mobile lifestyle. 

When you embrace redundancy, you have more options to try or tweak when one option isn't performing as you need. 

This can include having multiple cellular options on board, using public Wi-Fi sources, and even using satellite internet as part of your arsenal. 

For more information on Redundancy:

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Starlink as a Cellular Back-Up

If you don't want to rely on Starlink as your primary option, you can still easily keep it installed and ready to go as a backup on-demand option. 

Treating Starlink as a "reserve parachute" that you use only when you absolutely need it can save a LOT of money.

Since the introduction of the Starlink 50GB Roam Data plan for just $50/month, you can easily activate this plan with just a few clicks when you lack ample cellular coverage.

While 50GB might not seem like a lot, it is often more than enough to get you through until your next stop. You can also purchase extra data for $1/GB as needed or upgrade to the unlimited plan for $165/mo if you are planning an extended period away from cellular. 

Having Starlink hardware tucked away unactivated for emergency use can bring real peace of mind, even if you go years without actually needing it.

For more information on Starlink:

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Other Satellite Options

Starlink isn't the only option for keeping connected without a cellular signal.

Here are some other options available now and others that are in the pipeline:

Satellite Communicators

If you don't need broadband bandwidth when you're off the coverage map, there are hand-held satellite communicators that allow you to keep connected via text messages and even get weather reports. 

Additionally, many modern smartphones now have satellite messaging built in, which might be enough to keep you in touch until you reach a solid signal again. 

And with T-Mobile's partnership with Starlink, all T-Mobile customers should soon have limited low-speed satellite connectivity as well, without needing Starlink hardware or a Starlink plan. 

Starlink Competitors

Starlink is currently leaps and bounds ahead of other consumer-accessible mobile broadband satellite internet options. But there are other companies that will compete in this market in the future.

Amazon is launching its own competing "Project Kuiper" system, which should spur some competition for Starlink in the satellite broadband market. 

For all the latest on Satellite options

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Summary: You Can Keep Connected without Starlink

You have other options if you don't want to rely on Starlink for your connectivity needs. 

In fact, MIRC founders Chris and Cherie continue to travel full-time by RV and boat and have not needed to activate their Starlink service in over a year—all while remaining abundantly connected.

It may take some extra knowledge and thought to assemble a solid cellular-centric solution, but it's entirely possible to have a reliable mobile internet setup that is not dependent on Starlink.