3 ms·

What are you talking about? Starlink antennas don’t connect to cell phone towers at all. Starlink is popular among boaters because it’s hands down the best sat

by rlt 2y ago

What are you talking about? Starlink antennas don’t connect to cell phone towers at all. Starlink is popular among boaters because it’s hands down the best satellite internet and has truly global coverage (except where not authorized, but all international waters and most territorial waters)

oriettaxx 2y ago
I think I read it here in HN, then I also recall reading the contract when they annouced service for "sailing boat" (several of us where interested), but I am sure there are plenty of users here that knows it better then me, if none I will dig it my self. What I mean is that they do connect with satellite, but they also connect to land mobile antenna as an alternative (I guess when it makes sense or when is convenient for starlink... for $$ and also for performance?). Think about: 95% of the time sailing boats are in a harbour... maybe a small one in the aegean (where the mobile internet is super good... 50Mb simmetric easily), then you have even a catamaran with the starlink antenna... yes a catamaran, but still moving a bit: if you are Starlink where do you pick the data to sell the customer, by satellite? naaahhhh, you just use the local cell tower: the captain will be so proud of his expensive and high tech work everywhere, even in the amazon antenna. Yes, buying local sim is not easy (find a proper shop, choose plan, sign contract, recharge, passport, ...many expire after 3 months if you are not resident) but with e-sim now it gets much better.
- rlt 2y ago
  Starlink does not connect to cell towers. That’s just not a thing Starlink does, I assure you. Some people may purchase a 3rd party system that integrates both Starlink and cellular but that’s not standard. > the captain will be so proud of his expensive and high tech work everywhere, even in the amazon antenna. Not sure why you think people care so much about showing off their Starlink antenna. They just want good internet.
  - oriettaxx 2y ago
    > Starlink does not connect to cell towers. That’s just not a thing Starlink does, I assure you. yes, you are right: I've read again the contract (boat) where I thought I read about this "backup" connection: nothing about it: I made a mistake. > showing off their Starlink antenna I am refering to sailing boat where mobile internet is cheap and great (Italy, Greece, Turkey...): 99% of the time you see the antenna from the harbour: in the water (while in the harbour) you hardly have visible obstable to a tower: costs are ridiculous compared to Starlink, and the internet is much better: I am also able to realize how wisely a sailor is spending money: more then showing off is the idea to have a cutting edge tech to achieve something you get anyhow with less burden and money (many like sailing 'cause helps you on recognizing what is 'good', even the internet).
    - lxgr 2y ago
      > costs are ridiculous compared to Starlink Starlink has plans starting at €40 per month. That's less than an eSIM or even a regular mobile data plan with a data cap in some places.
      - oriettaxx 2y ago
        I read > Starting at €296/mo with a hardware cost of €2,962. at https://www.starlink.com/boats https://www.starlink.com/boats
        lxgr 2y ago
        That's for offshore use, i.e. where you also can't use land-based mobile data. Onshore use starts at €40/month for 50GB, or €60 for unlimited. You can also pay per Gigabyte offshore using a land-based plan, as far as I know. The new "mini" terminal is around €500.
        oriettaxx 2y ago
        > That's for offshore use, i.e. where you also can't use land-based mobile data. uh, interesting can I ask you what do you mean by "land-based mobile data", 'cause the whole mess here is me mixing up that with 'connection to land mobile tower', which they told me clearly it's not the case. (yes, €60 for unlimited with €500 setup is really low, considering I spent 400€ myself to get a e-sim compatible phone... can you give link to this option, ..cannot find it)

by rlt 2y ago

oriettaxx 2y ago

I think I read it here in HN, then I also recall reading the contract when they annouced service for "sailing boat" (several of us where interested), but I am sure there are plenty of users here that knows it better then me, if none I will dig it my self. What I mean is that they do connect with satellite, but they also connect to land mobile antenna as an alternative (I guess when it makes sense or when is convenient for starlink... for $$ and also for performance?). Think about: 95% of the time sailing boats are in a harbour... maybe a small one in the aegean (where the mobile internet is super good... 50Mb simmetric easily), then you have even a catamaran with the starlink antenna... yes a catamaran, but still moving a bit: if you are Starlink where do you pick the data to sell the customer, by satellite? naaahhhh, you just use the local cell tower: the captain will be so proud of his expensive and high tech work everywhere, even in the amazon antenna. Yes, buying local sim is not easy (find a proper shop, choose plan, sign contract, recharge, passport, ...many expire after 3 months if you are not resident) but with e-sim now it gets much better.

rlt 2y ago
Starlink does not connect to cell towers. That’s just not a thing Starlink does, I assure you. Some people may purchase a 3rd party system that integrates both Starlink and cellular but that’s not standard. > the captain will be so proud of his expensive and high tech work everywhere, even in the amazon antenna. Not sure why you think people care so much about showing off their Starlink antenna. They just want good internet.
- oriettaxx 2y ago
  > Starlink does not connect to cell towers. That’s just not a thing Starlink does, I assure you. yes, you are right: I've read again the contract (boat) where I thought I read about this "backup" connection: nothing about it: I made a mistake. > showing off their Starlink antenna I am refering to sailing boat where mobile internet is cheap and great (Italy, Greece, Turkey...): 99% of the time you see the antenna from the harbour: in the water (while in the harbour) you hardly have visible obstable to a tower: costs are ridiculous compared to Starlink, and the internet is much better: I am also able to realize how wisely a sailor is spending money: more then showing off is the idea to have a cutting edge tech to achieve something you get anyhow with less burden and money (many like sailing 'cause helps you on recognizing what is 'good', even the internet).
  - lxgr 2y ago
    > costs are ridiculous compared to Starlink Starlink has plans starting at €40 per month. That's less than an eSIM or even a regular mobile data plan with a data cap in some places.
    - oriettaxx 2y ago
      I read > Starting at €296/mo with a hardware cost of €2,962. at https://www.starlink.com/boats https://www.starlink.com/boats
      - lxgr 2y ago
        That's for offshore use, i.e. where you also can't use land-based mobile data. Onshore use starts at €40/month for 50GB, or €60 for unlimited. You can also pay per Gigabyte offshore using a land-based plan, as far as I know. The new "mini" terminal is around €500.
        oriettaxx 2y ago
        > That's for offshore use, i.e. where you also can't use land-based mobile data. uh, interesting can I ask you what do you mean by "land-based mobile data", 'cause the whole mess here is me mixing up that with 'connection to land mobile tower', which they told me clearly it's not the case. (yes, €60 for unlimited with €500 setup is really low, considering I spent 400€ myself to get a e-sim compatible phone... can you give link to this option, ..cannot find it)