Frequently Asked Questions

Does Starlink offer static IP? (true static not CGNAT as with 4G/5G)

Can we use our own router/firewall on the public IP with Starlink?

• The Starlink router has extremely limited capabilities and is not fit for purpose for SME or business use, so we always replace with an alternative.
• Yes – for Business via the power adapter.
• Yes with proviso for Residential we use i-ctrl providing the public IP.  For lower cost solutions we use i-spi enabling us to create fixed IP access  The optional Ethernet adapter is required for the residential squarial to plug in your own router.  We like Draytek as they offer good quality home and SME routers with a number of SME capabilities such as VLAN network separation.  Other routers, such as Teltonika are widely liked and offer great support.

What is the typical upload speed on Starlink?

• Residential -  8 to 15Mbps sometimes higher UK
• Business – 12 to 25Mbps more realistically high teens (we can bond multiple dishes though)
• Note – Starlink constantly messes things around so may/will reduce speeds depending on saturation
• Starlink v2 satellites, plus additional 1.5 sats, will reduce contention in space, but Starlink will need to increase capacity at their ground stations.

What is the typical contention using Starlink? (if any)

• UK depends on number of satellites in coverage area and ground stations – mixed bag but see above
• US has VERY high contention due to large areas and orbit spread so naff speed

What Bands are Used for Starlink's Direct to Cellular System?

LTE Band 25 E Bands G Block operating at 1910-1915 MHz and 1990-1995 MHz. 

What handsets will be compatible with Starlink's Direct to Cellular service?

Most devices that supports LTE Band 25.  This includes old Apple (6s and above) and Samsung handsets.  To see a list of handsets use GSMArena's search function.  A handy link is here:

GSMArena Search for Band 25

Will I be able to use IoT with the Direct to Cellular service?

Yes.  SpaceX purchased SWARM, a satellite based IoT company.  That same team is supporting the expansion of SWARM and Direct to Cellular IoT devices.

Many IoT devices uses cellular modems, and LPWAN gateways using LoRaWAN, Sigfox and others use cellular as a backhaul, there should be a simple deployment of IoT wherever Direct to Cellular has been authorised. 

When will Starlink's Direct to Cellular be available?

This depends on FCC authorisation (SAT-MOD-20230207-00021) and the mass launch of Starlink's new Gen2 satellites.  It will initially only be available on T-Mobile in the USA.   Mass deployment is unlikely until 2024.
I see this as a public safety and digital poverty/exclusion issue, so I hope that other countries will rapidly license both Starlink and national mobile operators.  We will attempt to track license submissions.

How do I park the dish if I don't have access to Starlink's own router.

For residential, power off the Starlink, lay the Starlink face first onto the ground/flat surface, but we suggest using a soft towel to protect the dish face.  Then power up the dish.  After a few minutes, the dish pole will  go into the park position.

This will NOT work for the business dish.  One way is to power off the Starlink, reattach the original Starlink router and then use the Starlink mobile app to park the dish.  Alternatively, you may be able to remotely park the dish through your suppliers Starlink dashboard.  Not all features may have been added though.  

How do I resell Starlink, can I?

Only suppliers that have been DIRECTLY authorised by Starlink can resell Starlink Business, Maritime and Aviation.  Starlink Residential cannot be resold.  There may be a work around for residential, but it's rather convoluted.  

End users can transfer ownership to other end users, but only if they take out a new plan and the previous owner does not owe Starlink any money.

We are working with a large European IT distributor to create a solution that will allow IT companies to resell Business via a hybrid option.  This will take a few months, and may not be authorised.  However, please email sat-reseller@westendwifi.net if you are interested in working with us.

Does Starlink cover the Arctic/Antarctic ?

Sort of.  SpaceX are still launching their constellation of satellites comprising 29,988 satellites (Ref FCC DOC-390793A1) Updated 3rd February 2023.

Currently, there are 2,679 operational satellites, increasing every week.  

North and South Arctic have coverage, but ironically lower northern latitudes actually have less coverage due to the satellite orbits.  For instance, Norway and Sweden has less coverage than Svalbard!  This will improve over the months until all parts of the world have network saturation.  This will depend on Gen 2 satellites as they have LASER interlinks between satellites which allows very remote Starlink CPE hardware to talk to a ground station thousands of km's away.

OneWeb is an alternate network, however they do not sell to residential customers, mainly working with larger resellers and direct to government.  Also the service and hardware is expensive, though they do provide QoS guarantees.

Can I use Starlink for Public Safety or Military?

It depends on the country.

Public safety use in some parts of Europe/South America/Asia/Africa should be ok IF the police are not being used as a paramilitary force to forcibly control their national population.  If in doubt, talk to the US government.

Whilst Starlink is not controlled by ITAR/USEAR regulations as such, you still need to be aware of how the service may be used.  Even if you obtain a European/UK export license for a proscribed country or end user, it does NOT provide you with ANY protection against US Extraterritorial laws, despite what a national government minister may say!

For instance, buying Starlink in your own name and then passing them to a military agency will be frowned upon under US law.  Also using Starlink as part of a weapon system will breach ITAR laws and will lead to prosecution and probably jail.  UK company  directors have been extradited and jailed for lesser crimes. 

What frequencies does Starlink ground stations use?

SES-MOD-20230301-00235 Narrative

Starlink Gen 1, 1.5 and 2 satellites backhaul user data to ground stations across the world, particularly, though not exclusively, where Starlink service has been authorised for operation.

The ground stations uses the Ka Band, within which transmitting using the 27.5-29.1 GHz and 29.5-30.0 GHz bands, and receive in the 17.8-18.6 GHz and 18.8-19.3 GHz bands.

FCC Reference:  SES-MOD-20230301-00235