SpaceX’s Starlink satellite broadband constellation has become a game changing option for mobile internet for many RVers and boaters over the past few years – allowing nomads of all types to keep abundantly connected in places not possible before.
But Starlink is not without its drawbacks – and we get asked all the time here at the Mobile Internet Resource Center for advice on alternatives.
There are many reasons one may not want Starlink – whether it is the rising ongoing monthly costs, issues with obstructions, constant plan and terms of service changes, off-grid power consumption concerns, or other more personal reasons.
Can nomads still travel with abundant connectivity – without relying on Starlink?
The answer for most is YES!
With a little bit of work it is not hard at all to dial back or eliminate completely your dependency on Starlink.
And even if you intend to keep Starlink a part of your connectivity arsenal – knowing your alternatives can pay off when you encounter Starlink congestion or obstruction issues.
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I looked for answers you provided none
I support Starlink and Elon Musk! I have the Starlink Mini and use it with our R.V. and it has been very reliable. With more and more satellites being launched weekly, my coverage, even under trees in the mountains, has been fine. My wife and I sometimes boondock in the Northern California mountains and the Nevada area deserts. I have found that cellular sucks. Some of the time, I required to use my starlink to be able to make VOIP calls on my cellphone. I have had Verizon cellular for many years and found out lately that some of the once reliable cell service areas have a weak signal or completely non operational. Example of a newly non operational area; Black Rock Desert in Neveda, I had some Verizon service there for years, and back in June 2024 I found out the hard way that area is no longer served.
Thanks for this info. I will gladly go without internet rather than do business with Starlink. People did just fine before the internet, maybe better.
Cancel starlink. Musk is a narcissistic a-hole. You can’t take the cyber truck to the car wash……and they broke the window demonstrating how unbreakable this pile of junk is…..CANCEL ELON MUSK
We use MOFI cellular router with Verizon and have been very pleased. No it doesn’t work everywhere, (in the back country of the Sierra Nevada, Parts of North Dakota, Wyoming, etc.), but for us it’s better than ATT or T-Mobile and I’d say we have fast internet about 85% of our locations. No need for the added expense for our needs which are Zoom calls, streaming, remote work.
Thank you! Great overview and nice to know I can stay away from Starlink and still have good connectivity.
Recently discovered the channel and appreciate the great information! I am looking at a pep wave router and LTE cellular data plan to monitor off grid weekend cabin. Hoping someone might be able to help me anticipate how much data I’ll need. During the week will just be checking battery temps and camera a few times a day. Will use internet when at camp on weekends for some browsing and maybe watching some YouTube vids, but nothing too crazy. Wife said we better get an unlimited plan to be safe but I’m not so sure we’re going to need all that data.
You can drive nearly anywhere in the city on the subway trains and your car any building in Moscow St Petersburg Russia and all the big cities and get free internet at 130 Mbps
Thanks
We really enjoyed having starlink, but found we had to keep all our cell services for when we didn't have a clear shot at the sky. Was it a game changer? Yes. Did it cost $2k a year in service fees? Yes. *EDITED: Correct the $2k a month to $2k a year.*
Love our calyx, but we sometimes can’t get enough cell signal for me to work efficiently. Would a cell booster help? I really don’t want to use my starlink if possible.
In my case, I want backup internet for our home when we lose power and cellular isn't the solution, because when we loser power, everyone jumps on the cell towers and saturates them so badly, you can't even get text messages through. Cellular bonding routers are pretty cool though, and I didn't know they exist.
Great update. Thanks! 👍🏻
Yes, there are alternatives to starlink. However, are they cost effective? Even though I don't want to give money to the weirdo, I won't fall on my sword financially. You guys provide great content and you are a huge help to the RV and boating communities but one place you could up your game is to do cost comparisons other than just who has the cheapest plan this month. For example, this video could have contained an actual multi-network cost comparison to starlink.
Why would you want an alternative.?
Thanks for this because Musk is a power grabbing, greedy individual. I can't in good conscience put anymore money in this guys pocket
Thank you very much. It’s all about options and it’s wonderful to have them explained.
Cellular is not going to work off the grid end of story .
Cellular works where works and doesn't where it doesn't (which is still a lot of places in the US)…So if Y'all are being honest…the answer is NO…there is not a good alternative if you are actually comparing apples to apples!
I'm on the water and am an amateur radio operator. HF radio and WINLINK allows sending and receiving email and receiving weather around the world. There's also a marine-centric system called Sailmail that has similar capability. Cell, and especially 5G, take care of all my needs when near a coast.
I canceled my Starlink. I can no longer support that guy…
Thank you!!!❤❤❤
I sure love my Starlink. Don't need any alternatives. 🙂
Why can't why can't I adjust the video speed?
Excellent video! Through your recommendations over the years I've built a system on my RV that just works. Starting with the Peplink Max br2 Pro dual modem as the brains, the appropriate husky antenna on the roof Plus Romlink from mobile must have. Along with roam link I also added an AT&T account. Starlink is still on board but I'm not a fan of Elon so I'll not be unpausing the starlink system unless there's a natural disaster and every single cell tower has been blown down. Also for out in the middle of nowhere, with no cell phone service my Verizon Google pixel 9 Pro XL has satellite messaging connected with Garmin inreach to get help when Off-Roading on those Colorado trails. One other option I haven't used yet but have tested, just plugging the pixel into the peplink works very well using it as a modem. And you're right, I get better speeds with this configuration then starlink or at least as good as and now I don't have to worry about parking under those trees which is pretty much all you do camping in Colorado.
Alright! The anti-Muskrat campaign is picking up steam.
I ADORE the Calyx Institute! We are at the 5G "Sustainer" for the past year and it has been flawless coverage. Stream multiple video feeds, works in the city and the midst of the low-country swamps along the Edisto and has never buffered or throttled. We are retired, live in SC and 'glamp' travel the south east coast NC to FL in our 30 yr old Class A RV. Highly recommend Calyx!! (Even worked post-hurricane Helene to stay in touch when we were all out of power for 2 weeks.)
Thanks for this video.Starlink ALTERNATIVES. It's nice that you understand that there are other ways. I know some people have to be (or feel like they have to be) connected all the time rather than taking a few days off. As you said, planning is important. I don't think Bezos is an alternative for Musk. I saw this yesterday: Feb 3, 2025: Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, announced "We’ll be ripping up the province’s contract with Starlink," said Ford. "Ontario won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy." Thanks again, Chris
The biggest drawback for Starlink is the Nazi who owns it.
I think I bought Starlink about two years ago and have yet to take it out of the box. I've never used it because my combination of T-Mobile and ATT&T with an extender has worked just fine for me. And I work full-time Mon-Fri! I just have it just in case.
Thanks for this.
YES, you can use something like a Peplink to act as a load balancer and it will prioritize whatever connection has the least latency. As someone who supports these products this is a very solid way to get the best of both worlds
Good. Don't want to support Elon Musk. He's gone crazy on us. Amazon is another problem. They've kissed Trump's ring too.