OK, what’s changed?
Well, the big one that’s caught many people’s eyes and is getting a lot of press is the change affecting the free unlimited deprioritized data after your monthly allowance has been consumed (if you have opted out of overages).
Your monthly data can offer speeds as fast as 220 Mbps down and 35 Mbps up. Now, when you finish it and haven’t opted in for overages (aka “top-ups”), you’re going to get unlimited free data, but Starlink will now slow that extra data down to, as their website says, “Unlimited Data at up to 1 Mbps download and 0.5 Mbps upload speeds.”
The good news, however, is this 1 Mbps/0.5 Mbps data will also work in ocean areas, unlike the former (faster) free unlimited data, which only worked within 12 NM of shore.
What does that mean?
If you’re on a 50 GB plan and use it before the end of the month, your data speeds will slow down dramatically unless you opt-in to buy more priority data.
Can I still stream content, video chat, or game at 1 Mbps/500 Kbps?
Typically, streaming HD content requires at least a 4 Mbps download speed. On the other hand, 1 Mbps is great for email, messaging, and other lower bandwidth, lower-speed applications.
And what about the plans themselves?
Other updates are cosmetic, as the plans formerly known as Priority and Mobile Priority are now called Local Priority and Global Priority. But with those name changes come some other functional differences.
- You can use Local Priority service when in motion! As a result, it’s well suited for fixed AND mobile applications on land, lakes, and rivers.
- Local Priority is also now country-specific, with short-term flexibility for service in bordering/neighboring countries/ However, you will need to return to your “home” country within 60 days of departure to keep your service active.
- In addition, Local Priority pricing varies by country, unlike Global Priority pricing, which is consistent globally.
- Global Priority continues to support both fixed and mobile applications. It is ideal for maritime use, working worldwide in ocean areas and all land areas where Starlink service is available. (Because our Starlink plans operate a bit differently, KVH is retaining the “Mobile Priority” name for clarity.)
What’s going on with the Global Priority service plans?
Data plans directly from Starlink have changed slightly, with the Global Priority 50 GB plan still $250 while the 500 GB, 1 TB, and new 2 TB plans are now $650, $1,150, and $2,150, respectively. These monthly “data blocks” can also be adjusted by adding data blocks in 50 GB and/or 500 GB increments.
Pro Tip: KVH continues to offer a range of our Mobile Priority plans – 50 GB, 100 GB, 300 GB, 500 GB, 600 GB, 1 TB, 2.5 TB, 5 TB, 10 TB, and 15 GB – that offer great flexibility, versatility, and savings.
What do I do if I consume all of my monthly priority data and still want high speeds?
Another change in the Starlink direct plans is that when you consume your monthly data package, you will now be able to opt in for top-up blocks in 50 GB increments ($25 per 50 GB for Local Priority, $100 per 50 GB for Global Priority) that you can use until the end of the month, at which time any unused data will expire.
Pro Tip: Would you rather pay by the GB for those overages so you can get a few more GBs to finish the month? Contact KVH as we continue to offer pay by the GB overage for our Mobile Priority plans.
You might also want to consider a KVH Starlink/TracNet Coastal Pro bundle to combine Starlink’s awesome speeds and coverage with affordable long-range 5G/LTE and shore-based Wi-Fi service. Take advantage of 5G while near shore and let the system intelligently switch to Starlink to get all the benefits when you’re offshore.
And don’t forget about the convenience and data savings available using satellite TV. Get your live content there and retain your Internet data for other applications.
What about when I don’t need Starlink service temporarily?
The “pause” option (essentially a suspension period) is still unavailable for Local Priority, so there’s no change there.
Pro Tip: Mobile Priority Starlink service from KVH still offers the ability to suspend for no cost, ensuring you have the flexibility you need.
Stay tuned for more updates as we get them!
