Rural Internet: Is Starlink your best option?

In a country as vast and sparsely populated as Australia, reliable Internet access has long been a challenge, particularly in rural and remote areas.

For years, Australians living outside major cities have faced slow speeds, unreliable connections, and high costs for limited options.

Starlink, a satellite Internet service from SpaceX, has quickly become a game-changer for many in rural Australia, offering a solution to the Internet connectivity challenges that have plagued the bush for decades.

What is Starlink?

Starlink is a satellite-based Internet service developed by SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk. Unlike traditional broadband, which relies on cables and fibre-optic lines, Starlink uses low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide Internet access to users on the ground.

These satellites form a constellation that continuously orbits the Earth, transmitting data between ground stations and the satellite dishes installed at customer locations.

Starlink was initially launched in the United States but has since expanded globally, including to Australia. The system promises high-speed Internet with low latency, even in rural or remote areas where traditional broadband infrastructure is not feasible or cost-effective.

How does Starlink help rural Australians?

One of the key benefits of Starlink for Australians is that it provides reliable Internet access to remote areas, where options have been severely limited in the past.

Rural Australians have often had to rely on slow and expensive services, including satellite Internet from other providers, which is typically characterised by high latency and limited data. Starlink aims to change this dynamic by offering a faster and more reliable alternative.

By using a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit, Starlink delivers an Internet connection that is not reliant on terrestrial infrastructure, such as fibre cables or telephone lines, which are often unavailable in rural locations.

This opens up new possibilities for those living in the Australian outback, farming communities, and regional areas that have struggled with limited Internet options.

With Starlink, rural residents can access high-speed Internet for work, education, streaming, and communication, enhancing connectivity and bringing them closer to the digital services enjoyed by urban populations.

Challenges of getting Internet in rural Australia

For many rural Australians, getting a reliable Internet connection has always been a struggle. Some of the challenges faced include:

Geography and infrastructure

Rural areas are often spread over vast distances, making it impractical to lay fibre-optic cables or install high-speed broadband infrastructure. This means many remote areas rely on outdated technologies or satellite services with high latency and low speeds.

Expensive and limited options

Until Starlink’s arrival, options for rural Australians were limited to expensive satellite Internet services or mobile hotspots with limited data, which often resulted in poor performance and high costs for unreliable connections.

Slow speeds and high latency

The Internet speeds in rural Australia are often much slower than in urban areas, and high latency makes activities like video conferencing, online gaming, and streaming difficult. This hampers productivity, education, and communication, especially in remote communities.

High costs

Traditional rural Internet options have historically been expensive to set up and maintain, with satellite services often charging hefty fees for limited bandwidth.

Starlink addresses many of these issues by providing a more affordable and reliable option for high-speed Internet in rural and remote locations.

Are there Starlink alternatives in Australia?

While Starlink is one of the most popular solutions for rural Internet access in Australia, it is not the only option available. Several alternatives offer Internet services in remote areas, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

NBN Sky Muster (Satellite)

The National Broadband Network (NBN) offers satellite services under the Sky Muster program, which provides Internet access to remote and regional areas in Australia.

While Sky Muster is a government initiative that aims to bring broadband to rural Australians, it has been criticised for offering slower speeds, limited data, and high latency, making it less suitable for activities like streaming and online gaming.

Mobile hotspots (4G/5G)

In areas with mobile coverage, rural Australians can also use 4G or 5G mobile hotspots as an Internet solution. While speeds can be relatively fast, mobile hotspots often suffer from limited data plans and signal issues, particularly in more remote locations. It's important to remember that this option may not be available in all rural regions.

Fixed Wireless:

Fixed wireless Internet is another option for some rural Australians, particularly in areas covered by the NBN’s fixed wireless network.

It uses radio signals to transmit data between a fixed antenna and a nearby tower. This option is faster than satellite Internet, but still faces issues with coverage, reliability, and high latency in some regions.

Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH):

For those living closer to regional hubs or towns, fibre-optic Internet may be available through the NBN or local providers.

While this offers the fastest and most reliable speeds, fibre networks are still being rolled out across the country, and it may not be available in all rural areas.

How fast is Starlink in Australia?

Starlink promises impressive Internet speeds, especially for a satellite service. In Australia, users typically experience download speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 150 Mbps, with some reporting speeds even higher in optimal conditions. This is significantly faster than other satellite options, such as NBN’s Sky Muster, which offers speeds of around 25 Mbps (download) and 5 Mbps (upload).

Starlink’s latency is also much lower than traditional satellite Internett, thanks to its use of low Earth orbit satellites. While traditional satellite services can have latency of around 600 ms, Starlink has managed to reduce this to between 20 ms to 40 ms, making it suitable for activities like video calls and online gaming.

However, speeds can vary depending on the location and the network congestion. Users in more densely populated areas or those experiencing weather-related disruptions may see temporary drops in speed.

Where can I get Starlink Internet?

Starlink is available across most parts of Australia, including rural and remote regions, thanks to its satellite-based network. The service is particularly beneficial for areas that are not covered by fibre-optic or fixed wireless networks.

To get Starlink in Australia, you need to:

• Check availability: Call our team to see whether you are able to get Starlink to your address.
• Order equipment: If Starlink is available in your region, you can order the Starlink Kit, which includes a satellite dish, a Wi-Fi router, and all the necessary cables.
• Set up: Once you receive the equipment, setting it up is relatively straightforward. You will need to position the satellite dish in an area with a clear view of the sky to ensure optimal signal reception.

Starlink’s coverage continues to expand as SpaceX launches more satellites, so even if it's not available in your area today, it might be soon.

Pros and cons of Starlink Internet in Australia

Here’s a quick comparison of the key advantages and disadvantages of using Starlink in Australia:

Contact Compare Broadband 

If you're living in rural or remote Australia and looking for a reliable Internet connection, Starlink may be the solution you’ve been waiting for. However, it’s important to compare the available Internet plans to ensure you’re getting the best deal for your needs.

Contact Compare Broadband today on 1300 764 000 to discuss Starlink, as well as other rural Internet plans available in your area.

Our experts can help you find the most suitable solution for your home or business, ensuring you stay connected, no matter where you are in Australia.