The Wi-Fi router is built into the small dish, so it can be easily powered by a regular USB power bank.
SpaceX’s Starlink internet service is now accessible for a wide range of users, including boats, planes, vanlifers, Amazonian villages, and rural homes in over 75 countries. Soon, backpackers will also be able to access this service.
The Starlink Mini is a compact device that runs on DC power. It is designed to be easily portable, with dimensions similar to that of a thick laptop. The dish itself has an integrated Wi-Fi router. This Starlink terminal not only has excellent energy efficiency, but it can also provide speeds that go beyond 100Mbps.
“This product will revolutionise the world,” said Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, during X, highlighting that it can be easily set up in under five minutes.
The Mini kit now consumes significantly less power, averaging only 20-40W. It’s worth noting this improvement. This is a big improvement compared to the measurement of 33-62W that was taken two years ago using the Standard Actuated dish and a separate Wi-Fi router powered by AC. You can power the Mini dish for a few hours by using a reliable power bank such as the Anker Prime 27,650mAh (99.54Wh). If you have smaller portable batteries, like ones with a capacity of 10,000mAh (40Wh), they can still provide you with more than an hour of power. In order to power your device, you will require a USB-C PD power source with a minimum rating of 100W (20V/5A).
The Mini dish measures 11.75 x 10.2 x 1.45 inches (298.5 x 259 x 38.5mm) and weighs just 2.43 pounds (1.1kg). If you include the 49.2 foot (15m) DC power cable and kickstand, the weight of the item increases to 3.37 pounds (1.53kg). The device has an IP67 rating, which means it is resistant to dust, rain, and can even withstand being immersed in water for short periods of time.
Currently, in the United States, Starlink Mini is offered as an additional feature for Residential plans. The Mini kit costs $599, which is $100 more than the standard dish. Furthermore, if you choose to include the Mini Roam service in your current $120 Residential plan, you will be charged an extra $30 per month. Some existing US Starlink customers have received early-access invitations stating that Starlink Mini users will be given a monthly mobile data allowance of up to 50GB. If the user requires more data, they can choose to buy extra data for $1 per gigabyte.
According to a support page from Starlink, the Starlink Mini is now available in the US. The product has already been introduced in Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Panama. Customers in these countries have the option to buy it with either the Mini Service or Mobile – Regional Service plans. When using Mini in those countries, you don’t have to worry about any restrictions on data usage or internet speed. But it’s important to remember that you can’t use Mini while moving or on the ocean. SpaceX has plans to expand into new markets over time.
“According to the Starlink support page, our goal is to make Starlink more affordable and accessible to people all over the world, particularly those who have not been able to afford or access reliable internet connectivity.” “In places where Starlink Mini is being used a lot, like the US, it is putting more strain on the satellite network. So, we are offering a limited number of Starlink Mini Kits at a higher price to meet the increased demand.”
The Starlink Mini has the potential to completely change the way people access the internet. It offers an affordable and easy-to-share service that also helps conserve battery power. These include families who depend on a makeshift solar generator for electricity, a group of soldiers who are defending against an invasion, or adventurous bikepackers and overlanders who are exploring off-the-beaten-path routes.
