In the world of satellite internet, Starlink has been making waves as a new player that promises to bring high-speed, low-latency internet access to people in even the most remote areas of the world. While Starlink initially targeted residential customers, it has recently expanded its offerings to include business plans as well. In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between Starlink Residential and Starlink Business plans.
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About Starlink
Firstly, let’s start with the basics. Starlink is a satellite-based internet service that uses a network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide internet access. The satellites are in a constellation that orbits the Earth at an altitude of around 550 kilometers. The user’s dish antenna communicates with the nearest Starlink satellite, which then relays the signal to other satellites in the constellation until it reaches the ground station, providing internet access to the user.
Now, let’s look at the differences between Starlink Residential and Starlink Business.
Hardware – Starlink Standard Dish vs Starlink High-Performance Dish
The Starlink Standard Dish is ideal for home users and regular internet activities such as video streaming, online gaming, and video calls. The Starlink Kit includes a Wi-Fi router, a power supply, cables, and a base, everything necessary to connect to the internet. Starlink uses laser interlinks between satellites and phased-array antennas to ensure fast and stable communication links, making it faster than conventional radio transmissions. The phased-array antennas can transmit data to multiple users simultaneously, with minimal interference.
The Starlink High-Performance Dish and Flat High Performance cost considerably more than the Standard Dish, but are designed to cater to the needs of business users who require hardware that can function in extreme environments, such as high humidity, temperatures, or heavy snowfall. It is also suitable for the polar and equatorial regions, where the Starlink Constellation has less coverage, and fewer satellites can be seen. The High-Performance Dish can view 35% more of the sky, enabling it to connect to more satellites and maintain the connection for longer, even in the event of unavoidable obstructions.
In short, with a higher gain antenna, additional throughput allocation, and better extreme weather performance, Starlink Business helps ensure bandwidth for critical operations 24/7.
Starlink Speed and Latency
One of the most important factors when it comes to internet service is the speed and latency. Starlink Residential offers download speeds of up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps. On the other hand, Starlink Business offers faster download and upload speeds of up to 220 Mbps and 40 Mbps respectively. Latency ranges between 25-50ms in both cases.
Static IP Addresses
Often an essential requirement for businesses, Starlink Business also offers static IP addresses, which is not available to residential customers. A static IP address is a permanent address that is assigned to your business, which allows you to host your own website, email server, or other services that require a fixed IP address, such as a VPN. This is a valuable feature for businesses that need to host their own servers or services.
Starlink Priority Access
Starlink Residential users have access to unlimited standard data, however there is no priority access to the network – this makes it unsuitable for high-demand users that require business-critical connectivity. On the other hand, Starlink Business and Maritime users have access to a much wider range of service plans, from 50GB to 6TB of Priority Access data.
Starlink Support
Starlink Business offers priority support, which means that businesses have access to dedicated customer support representatives who can help with any issues they may encounter. Priority support ensures that businesses receive fast and efficient support, reducing downtime and minimising any negative impacts on their operations. As a Starlink Authorised Reseller, Clarus goes beyond this by offering 24/7 NOC support, integrations with other technologies, API integration, a dedicated customer portal, and much more.
Starlink Business Installation
The installation process of the two plans is largely the same. Customers receive a kit that includes a satellite dish, modem, and power supply, which can be self-installed or installed by a technician. However, the Starlink Business plan may require additional equipment, depending on the specific needs of the business. For example, if Starlink needs to be integrated with an existing network, or installed on a difficult-to-access area such as on board a ship, or an offshore wind farm.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Starlink Residential and Starlink Business are similar in many ways, they do have some significant differences. Starlink Business offers faster speeds, no data cap, priority support, and comes at a higher price point, making it more suitable for businesses that require reliable and high-speed internet connectivity. On the other hand, Starlink Residential offers decent speeds and is more affordable, making it a good option for individuals or families who need internet access at home.
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