Starlink Anarchy

[SASSAFRASS]

We have only had positive feedback from other cruisers. All the cancellation stuff is user reviews I have read online, but not experienced myself. If you are back in the US every six months for so for a brief period it sounds like you are fine. As above if in a place for a long time it is nice to get a local SIM the data is usually dirt cheep. We have pixel phones with esim for FI and can add whatever if we want a local SIM while traveling.

As above you are a third wheel on a network and can see it for sure when things get busy. When we were in Bocas on holidays, island with limited cell, service dropped alot, otherwise fine. I think ATT is a hard no on working with them so have had issues in Anchorage AK sometimes.


Proa, my OP #27 clearly said Google FI, try reading prior to ranting.

 

[Not My Real Name]

I've used Android built-in tethering for many years, no need for pdanet or any other app on the phone, no need to install a Windows app. Android can also be configured as a wi-fi hot spot for access from other devices. However, my Verizon cell plan limits data usage and charges more if I exceed the limit I'm paying for. I seriously doubt pdanet or any other app gets around that, so "unlimited internet" doesn't sound right?

But some cell providers don't let you tether without paying extra for it. I ran into this with AT&T years ago, when they sent me a letter telling me they'd noticed I was tethering (with some similar workaround) despite my plan not permitting it, so they were automatically upgrading me to a plan that included tethering...

 

[Not My Real Name]

They never did for us but it was pandemic and I heard they lifted most of the rules. Have heard lots of stories of people getting shut off. I never did a speed test after the Gig cap not sure what it is after. It worked fine for everything other than streaming video though.

I use Fi, so do my kids. My son routinely hit the cap on his unlimited account, and it definitely got slow. He could still use basic internet access, but no video calls, etc.

 

[Not My Real Name]

Because they don't own their networks, GoogleFi can 'aggregate' service. For instance, in the US, GoogleFi largely mirrors available T-Mobile coverage. In places where T-Mobile coverage is spotty, GoogleFi *also* works with US Cellular. As a GoogleFi customer, your service switches over to ensure you get the best coverage. Neat.

In my experience, GoogleFi service works better in spotty areas in the US, and while traveling internationally, I get better reception, service, and data than if I had used my T-Mobile service. However, for long international stays, nothing beats obtaining a local SIM card for a local mobile carrier.

One BIG caveat - the coverage on Fi is great because they hop between the three majors and get good coverage. Also it works seamlessly with Wifi calling, so even if you have no signal in dank bowels of some dark building, if you have Wifi there you can get and make calls as usual.

But these features only work with a made "Made for Fi" phone. If you bring your own phone and it's not "Made for Fi" you will not have good results.

The last time I returned to the U.S. I got Fi for my Samsung Galaxy S7, a NOT "Made for Fi" phone. When you insert the chip, it asks you to pick a primary carrier network, and you get locked to that one on that SIM. You can only have one active SIM, so it's fixed. And seamless Wifi calling did not work.

This time around, since my return was permanent, I bought a Made for Fi Samsung through Google Fi (they do have some good deals) and it works seamlessly. If I don't have a signal...generally nobody has a signal.


We'll be boondocking in one of the dispersed camping areas in the Badlands in a couple of days...I'll let you all know how it works out.

 

[Not My Real Name]

Pdanet modifies those values so anything connected via the tether appears to be the phone itself. So you're using your 'unlimited' phone data.

I've been using it for more than a decade to get internet at my rural address.

Visible, running on Verizon's net, offers true unlimited data to their customers with no throttling, and their base $40/mo plan can be cut to $25 with their simple group billing. Anyone can join any group, you don't even need to know each other, you just get $5/mo off per group member until you hit $15. They catch is they don't support hotspots/routers on their network.

Anyway, with a Netgear Nighthawk m100 router and a bit of software to change the IMEI to some type of device that's not a mobile router (e.g. one of those old smartphones you haven't recycled yet), you can activate the Visible SIM on a phone and stick it in the router. Set the APNs in the router, and you have an unlimited 4G hotspot.

Eventually Visible may catch on to this, though it's not millions of people doing it. If you never make phone calls or send texts with the SIM, it's a bit of a red flag.

Not something I thought of BTW, there are videos about how to do this.

 

[Grrr...]

Visible, running on Verizon's net, offers true unlimited data to their customers with no throttling, and their base $40/mo plan can be cut to $25 with their simple group billing. Anyone can join any group, you don't even need to know each other, you just get $5/mo off per group member until you hit $15. They catch is they don't support hotspots/routers on their network.

Anyway, with a Netgear Nighthawk m100 router and a bit of software to change the IMEI to some type of device that's not a mobile router (e.g. one of those old smartphones you haven't recycled yet), you can activate the Visible SIM on a phone and stick it in the router. Set the APNs in the router, and you have an unlimited 4G hotspot.

Eventually Visible may catch on to this, though it's not millions of people doing it. If you never make phone calls or send texts with the SIM, it's a bit of a red flag.

Not something I thought of BTW, there are videos about how to do this.

You must be in a good area for Visible. Visible is second tier - meaning it gets prioritized behind Verizon's primary traffic. In my area, which is oversold, that means that Visible was near useless. In recent years, I've had T-Mobile (no signal), ATT, Verizon, Visible, Mint, and US Cellular. ATT and Verizon are comparible in my area. ATT is actually a touch faster, but their business practices disgust me and I've had dozens of very bad interactions with them.

I've actually used an old computer tethered to a phone to act as my router. Worked well, but it was a hassle and Starlink's plug and play is much much better.

 

[Not My Real Name]

You must be in a good area for Visible. Visible is second tier - meaning it gets prioritized behind Verizon's primary traffic. In my area, which is oversold, that means that Visible was near useless. In recent years, I've had T-Mobile (no signal), ATT, Verizon, Visible, Mint, and US Cellular. ATT and Verizon are comparible in my area. ATT is actually a touch faster, but their business practices disgust me and I've had dozens of very bad interactions with them.

I've actually used an old computer tethered to a phone to act as my router. Worked well, but it was a hassle and Starlink's plug and play is much much better.

I’m living in an RV these days. I’ve used Visible with no problems in central FL, driving to VA, VA, rural PA, to and at Myrtle Beach, in the Lake of the Ozarks state park, across the Midwest, and right now I have good service in Plankinton, SD. Last night in Onawa, IA we had a very clear Zoom call.

One or two places it’s been inexplicably slow. Most places we can stream HD off Amazon to our TV.

At one slow period, I stuck the sim in my phone and tethered it, and it was fast again. I made a few phone calls, sent some texts, and left it in my phone for a day. Could have been the area, or it could ah e been somewhere else.

 

[PeterSailor]

I saw this. Dish say Starlink does not have moving permit in US.

Dish Demands SpaceX Deactivate Starlink Dishes Used on Moving Boats and Cars​

 

[Not My Real Name]

I saw this. Dish say Starlink does not have moving permit in US.

Dish Demands SpaceX Deactivate Starlink Dishes Used on Moving Boats and Cars​

The documentation I read on Starlink shows pretty clearly that you need to be parked for it to work.

Maybe I misread, but I thought the antenna needed to aim itself of something.

 

[toddster]

Plenty of YouTube videos demonstrating Starlink working on moving RVs and boats - even sailboats. It aims itself in a general fashion, but the phased-array takes in a pretty big slice of sky. Apparently only attempts to re-aim after a significant prolonged loss of signal. I.e. after a tack but not with every wave. I noticed it re-setting after I parked a truck in front of the dish for a few minutes. (It's sorta on the ground in a loading zone ATM.)

Apparently the "in motion" license is pending, but IDK what the exact terms are. They've already sold contracts to airlines and cruise ships.

Dish is a dying company with no product left that anybody wants. IDK why they're embarrassing themselves like this.

 

[Not My Real Name]

You must be in a good area for Visible. Visible is second tier - meaning it gets prioritized behind Verizon's primary traffic. In my area, which is oversold, that means that Visible was near useless. In recent years, I've had T-Mobile (no signal), ATT, Verizon, Visible, Mint, and US Cellular. ATT and Verizon are comparible in my area. ATT is actually a touch faster, but their business practices disgust me and I've had dozens of very bad interactions with them.

I've actually used an old computer tethered to a phone to act as my router. Worked well, but it was a hassle and Starlink's plug and play is much much better.

As an addenda...

I'm boondocked in the Badlands at the moment, in the Buffalo Gap National Grassland on the edge of a cliff.

I have signal on the Nighthawk that I'm posting this with...I'm also able to stream off Youtube at 1080p.

Here's the view out the window...

Of course, there are a couple of towers maybe half a mile away....presumably one of them has Verizon on it. But the Visible signal is OK.

 

[toddster]

Once upon a time in the 80’s, my old Datsun pickup died out there. (Broken fan belt, IIRC). After a few minutes, I realized that I was really and truly fucked.
Got on the old CB radio - only one barely discernible distant contact. I couldn’t work out if they heard me or not. About an hour later, a couple of big dirty guys on Harley’s showed up. “Yep, we found him!” Then their sag wagon came along - had a complete mechanical shop in the trailer. And cold drinks.
Seemed like a miracle at the time.

 

[chester]

Once upon a time in the 80’s, my old Datsun pickup died out there. (Broken fan belt, IIRC). After a few minutes, I realized that I was really and truly fucked.
Got on the old CB radio - only one barely discernible distant contact. I couldn’t work out if they heard me or not. About an hour later, a couple of big dirty guys on Harley’s showed up. “Yep, we found him!” Then their sag wagon came along - had a complete mechanical shop in the trailer. And cold drinks.
Seemed like a miracle at the time.

it kinda was!

 

[Not My Real Name]

Once upon a time in the 80’s, my old Datsun pickup died out there. (Broken fan belt, IIRC). After a few minutes, I realized that I was really and truly fucked.
Got on the old CB radio - only one barely discernible distant contact. I couldn’t work out if they heard me or not. About an hour later, a couple of big dirty guys on Harley’s showed up. “Yep, we found him!” Then their sag wagon came along - had a complete mechanical shop in the trailer. And cold drinks.
Seemed like a miracle at the time.

It's not so isolated now, my Fi phone had a good signal through much of the park out hiking and driving yesterday. And there are more than a few dispersed campers here.

But yeah, back in the day before this place off the beaten path I could see it being not good at all.

 

[Vieux Port]

I challenge you to find a way to contact them

Elon's Twitter account?

 

[Dogscout]

I want Stinky

 

[neilsf]

One BIG caveat - the coverage on Fi is great because they hop between the three majors and get good coverage. Also it works seamlessly with Wifi calling, so even if you have no signal in dank bowels of some dark building, if you have Wifi there you can get and make calls as usual.

But these features only work with a made "Made for Fi" phone. If you bring your own phone and it's not "Made for Fi" you will not have good results.

The last time I returned to the U.S. I got Fi for my Samsung Galaxy S7, a NOT "Made for Fi" phone. When you insert the chip, it asks you to pick a primary carrier network, and you get locked to that one on that SIM. You can only have one active SIM, so it's fixed. And seamless Wifi calling did not work.

This time around, since my return was permanent, I bought a Made for Fi Samsung through Google Fi (they do have some good deals) and it works seamlessly. If I don't have a signal...generally nobody has a signal.


We'll be boondocking in one of the dispersed camping areas in the Badlands in a couple of days...I'll let you all know how it works out.

You*do* have to have a newer phone. But you do not need a 'Made for Fi' phone. A Galaxy S7 is..... quite old, sadly, as Samsung currently sells an S22. That means your phone is 15 generations behind the latest tech. Mind you, this is a thread about Starlink, which is pretty 'far out there tech'.

GoogleFi, I understand, relies on some 'software magic' built into more recent versions of Android, so if your phone can't get updated to a fairly new version of Android, then ... you're likely SOL.

I use a Sony Xperia 1 iii Android phone with GoogleFi as the second SIM chip in the slot in my phone and the ability to seamlessly switch works ok for me, despite not being listed as a Made for Fi phone. I know this switching capability does also work with iOS, but likely only on newer phones.

 

[Not My Real Name]

You*do* have to have a newer phone. But you do not need a 'Made for Fi' phone. A Galaxy S7 is..... quite old, sadly, as Samsung currently sells an S22. That means your phone is 15 generations behind the latest tech. Mind you, this is a thread about Starlink, which is pretty 'far out there tech'.

GoogleFi, I understand, relies on some 'software magic' built into more recent versions of Android, so if your phone can't get updated to a fairly new version of Android, then ... you're likely SOL.

I use a Sony Xperia 1 iii Android phone with GoogleFi as the second SIM chip in the slot in my phone and the ability to seamlessly switch works ok for me, despite not being listed as a Made for Fi phone. I know this switching capability does also work with iOS, but likely only on newer phones.

That Samsung S7 experiment was in 2019...the last time I returned to the U.S., as per the post you quoted. I have a new phone now. S7 to S22 isn't 15 generations BTW, they skipped 11-19.

The S7 was released in 2016, S10 was the Flagship phone at the time I tried it with Fi.

It's good you may not need a made for Fi phone, but it's very unclear which non-Fi phones will work or not. I wouldn't go out and drop a lot of money on a phone for Fi if I wasn't 100% sure it worked.

 

[neilsf]

It's good you may not need a made for Fi phone, but it's very unclear which non-Fi phones will work or not. I wouldn't go out and drop a lot of money on a phone for Fi if I wasn't 100% sure it worked.

Totally correct. Don't buy a phone for a service you haven't tried! GoogleFi trial SIMs are inexpensive and you can stick on ein your phone and try it, or even better - if you have an eSIM capable phone, you can download the GoogleFi app and it will provide you with an eSIM on the spot.

And you're right, Samsung did skip nomenclature, but for good reason; newer phones 20 and up are capable of doing more than the older ones.

@NotMyRealName, I'd be curious of your experience if you decide to try it again on a newer phone.

 

[Israel Hands]

Back to Starlink... what are the current upfront and monthly costs for the RV version?