Who Am I & Why Trust Me?

A photo of me in Franschhoek South Africa doing some work between hiking and checking out vineyards. Outside of Cape Town, South Africa can be a tricky place to find fast wifi.

I used this Starlink Mini on an RV trip across Europe for a month, where I had dozens of hour plus video calls, in 7 different countries.

I have been a digital nomad since 2019, and started solo traveling in 2011. Learn more about my story to digital nomadism here.

I’m old and seasoned at being a professional homeless

I have spent $1,000’s on wifi tools, extenders, hotspots, all kinds of stuff. See my article about getting fast wifi anywhere here.

Would I Recommend It?

Yes, I ran my business off of a Starlink Mini for weeks no problem. Especially if you’re in more rural areas. You need a pretty clear view of the sky, so cities can be tough, but not impossible. Read more below about obstructions.

About The Starlink Mini & Why I Picked It

---

I want to be free man, that’s why I started this whole digital nomadding, but I’m f***in’ stuck in cities and hotels because I’m afraid of going into the countryside and not finding any wifi and running around trying to find somewhere to work.

I felt a bit trapped man, yes I get a higher level of freedom than most, but I want adventures! I want to experience parts of the world very different from what I’ve seen.

The Starlink Mini is a portable satellite you can use in many parts of the world. Offering speeds up to 140 mpbs (in my experience). I was able to carry it around in my laptop bag.

Great photo showing the size of the Mini @Michael Nicolls on X

I picked it because it’s portable, and with the right plan you can use it in a ton of countries around the world!

Starlink availability, Starlink is pretty regularly adding countries, so stay up to date on where it’s available.

Pricing & Costs

Hardware – Starlink Mini costs $400 – $600 for the hardware

Monthly Subscription Fee starting at ~$40. Pricing does appear to change depending on what country you register the Starlink in.

Pricing is a bit convoluted, but for the Mini you can pick any of the plans above. “Roaming” or the “Boats” packages, Depending on priority you want, the amount of gigs you want and the level of freedom you want.

As of right now, I have the Unlimited Roaming Plan – and it’s working well for my needs. Here are the terms and conditions of that plan.

Coverage & Speeds

At the time of writing this you can use the Starlink Mini in any of the countries that Starlink is available (40+ countries at the time of writing this).

According to Starlink, with the Unlimited Roaming Plan that I have I should expect speeds like the following.

• Download: 75-240 Mbps
• Upload: 8-30 Mbps
• Latency: <99ms

Here are the speeds I got from my trip around Europe

Not sure what these speeds mean? Check out my guide to fast wifi here.

Those first few tests had such high packet loss due to my lack of knowledge on how to properly use it.

---

How To Get Fast, Stable Wifi With The Mini

Optimal Setup Locations

• Clear View of the Sky: This is HUGELY important. Position the Starlink Mini in an area with an unobstructed view of the sky (pointing to the north) to ensure a strong signal. Avoid placing it under trees, near buildings, or other structures that may block satellite signals.
• Once you download the app, you can use the “Obstructions” feature to scan the sky and see how many obstructions you have, and it will estimate your experience for good video calls, gaming, etc.
• For video calls / gaming you will want pretty much zero obstructions, you can have a few small obstructions on the horizon is fine.
• Elevate the Dish: If possible, elevate the dish on a tripod or pole to increase its line of sight. For me, I started putting the Starlink on top of my RV, which helped huge with speeds.

Video from Switzerland where I was still learning how to setup the Starlink, and how obstructions affect things.

Use The App

• Use the Starlink app to monitor signal strength, interruptions and adjust the dish’s position

Set it up at least 1 – 2 hours before calls

• The Starlink Mini is smart and will learn where obstructions are and how to work around them as time goes on. If you let it setup and wait for an hour or two before calls that will help big time.

Be Aware Of How Many Users Are In Your Area

• Unless you pay for a package with priority speeds, you may experience slower speeds in areas where there are a lot of Starlink users, so in urban areas with lots of Starlink users you may have a bit slower speeds.

Ethernet Cord

• Consider using an Ethernet Cord for video calls, as this will help a bit with stability of the connection.

Power Source

• This is very important for those traveling around a lot. You will need a power source.
• After lots of research I chose the Jackery Explorer 500, which gave me about 8 hours of Starlink use per 100% charge. You can charge the Jackery with a normal outlet, a car outlet, or even with Solar panels, if you buy those.

---

Starlink Support

\Is pretty notoriously horrible. I just post in the Starlink Reddit, I also know some people use X, I don’t have an account so not sure.

Starlink Mini vs. Cellphone Hotspot & Mobile Hotspots

While cellphone hotspots / mobile hotspots really can work quite well when you’re in a pinch, if you’re like me and you’re running video calls from your desktop for hours a cell phone hotspot just isn’t going to cut it.

The speed and stability just doesn’t cut it (in my experience using hotspots around the world for the last 5 years).

Future Advancements in Starlink Technology and Satellite Internet

As satellite internet technology evolves, the future holds exciting possibilities for Starlink and its users. Here are some anticipated advancements that could enhance service offerings, expand coverage, and improve the overall user experience:

1. Increased Satellite Constellations

Starlink is continually launching new satellites to enhance its network. As more satellites are deployed, users can expect improved coverage and reliability, especially in areas that are currently underserved. The growing constellation will also reduce latency, making satellite internet more competitive with traditional broadband options.

2. Advanced Phased Array Technology

Future iterations of Starlink’s satellite dishes may incorporate advanced phased array technology, allowing for faster and more accurate signal tracking. This technology could enable the dish to maintain a stable connection even in challenging environments or while on the move, enhancing the experience for users who travel frequently.

3. Service Area Expansion

As Starlink continues to gain regulatory approvals globally, we can expect to see expanded service areas, including underserved regions in developing countries. This expansion could bridge the digital divide, providing reliable internet access to millions who currently lack connectivity.

5. New Pricing Models

Starlink may introduce tiered pricing plans that cater to different user needs. Options could include family plans, business packages, or pay-as-you-go models, allowing more flexibility and making the service accessible to a broader audience.

6. Integration with IoT Devices

As the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to grow, Starlink could evolve to support various IoT applications. This would enable seamless connectivity for smart devices, agricultural sensors, and remote monitoring systems, making satellite internet a viable solution for a range of industries.

7. Improved Ground Stations

Investments in ground infrastructure, including advanced ground stations, could further enhance data throughput and reduce latency. More robust ground stations would facilitate faster data transmission between satellites and the internet backbone.

8. Environmental Resilience

Future satellite designs may focus on sustainability and resilience to environmental factors. Innovations could include solar-powered satellites and designs that minimize space debris, contributing to a more sustainable approach to satellite internet.

9. Enhanced Connectivity Features

Starlink may explore additional features, such as:

• Seamless Roaming: Allowing users to maintain connectivity across different countries without having to change devices or settings.
• Multiple Device Connectivity: Improved capacity for connecting more devices simultaneously without degrading service quality.

Video of some speed tests I ran on the Croatian Coast

---

Conclusion – Do I Recommend It?

Yes I do. I had a great time RV’ing around Europe with this thing. While it’s not an easy “set-it up and it’s good to go right away” it’s given me way more freedom than I had before.

---

Frequently Asked Questions