Key Points:
- SpaceX is now officially working with router manufacturer Peplink to better integrate Starlink receivers with Peplink routers.
- The Authorized Technology Provider agreement will allow Peplink and its distributors to sell integrated Peplink and Starlink solutions.
- At least at first, this agreement is primarily focused on the enterprise and highest end of the Starlink market - with resellers being limited to offering the Flat High Performance Starlink receiver.
- Improved interoperability should benefit all Peplink and Starlink users however - as future versions of the Peplink router firmware evolve to become better optimized for working with Starlink connections.
SpaceX's satellite constellation Starlink has become an increasingly popular connectivity solution, but for many mobile users Starlink alone isn't reliable enough.
Especially when dropouts from obstacles or slowdowns from congestion become an issue, Starlink really benefits from being combined with additional connections - such as bonding Starlink and 5G cellular together.
Peplink routers and SpeedFusion bonding technology have proven to be a popular way to enable this extra reliability and performance - and now SpaceX and Peplink are officially teaming up to more formally support this sort of bonded solution.
This week - Peplink and SpaceX announced that the two companies now have an official "Authorized Technology Provider" agreement, allowing Peplink authorized solution providers (such as MobileMustHave) to resell and support Starlink hardware officially bundled with Peplink routers.
But more exciting going forward is that Peplink and Starlink will be working more closely together on future firmware enhancements - and we hope that this will lead to easier management and increased performance and reliability as Peplink routers become more Starlink-aware.
Table of Contents
Peplink Starlink Partnership Video
Enterprise / High-End Focus?
At least for now, Peplink & Starlink Solution Providers can offer the $2,499 Starlink Flat High Performance terminal - and not the consumer-focused $599 Starlink Standard.
This is consistent with a partnership focused on the higher end of the market.
One particular area of focus SpaceX calls out is how Peplink enabled over 1Gbps throughput for cruise ships by bonding multiple Starlink systems.
However, the closer working relationship between the two companies will undoubtedly benefit normal consumer deployments, particularly as the Peplink firmware evolves with more feedback from Starlink engineering.
Last year's Peplink firmware 8.4 release already contained some Starlink remote control capabilities and a new Outbound Policy requested by Starlink engineers - and we can expect more technical collaborations like that in the future.
Concluding Thoughts
The announcement of a partnership between Peplink and Starlink makes a lot of sense for both companies.
Peplink's new Starlink Solutions webpage details the highlights and outlines some specific use cases and features.
Starlink is doing something that has never been done before by providing a fast, consumer-accessible satellite connectivity option that works in places where nothing else can.
But like anything else - and as we've detailed extensively in our guides and other content - Starlink has tradeoffs and is far from perfect.
Making it even easier to combine Starlink with cellular and other upstream connections is a good thing for everyone - and we look forward to seeing what fruits of this partnership come over time.
Further Reading
- Guide: Starlink Satellite Internet For Mobile RV And Boat Use - Our featured guide focused on taking advantage of SpaceX's Starlink on the go.
- Gear: Peplink Product Lineup - Peplink's lineup with links to detailed specs in our Gear Center.
- Peplink Learning Center
- Starlink Learning Center
And here is all of our recent satellite and Peplink coverage:
Mobile Internet Resource Center (dba Two Steps Beyond LLC) is founded by Chris & Cherie of