Starlink, is it a good option.

[AntonyA]

This June, we're planning to travel extensively around Europe for about five months. Fortunately, we're not restricted by the 90-day Schengen limit. Our main concern is reliable internet access while on the road.


We're considering two options: Starlink or a SIM card setup with a router. We've seen some attractive eSIM data deals, but we're unsure whether there are routers that support eSIMs—or if it might be better to use a spare mobile phone with a data-only SIM and hotspot it to our laptops and TV. Starlink seems reliable but expensive.


Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. We will be traveling to France, Italy, Switzerland, Croatia, Thanks in advance!

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

This June, we're planning to travel extensively around Europe for about five months. Fortunately, we're not restricted by the 90-day Schengen limit. Our main concern is reliable internet access while on the road.


We're considering two options: Starlink or a SIM card setup with a router. We've seen some attractive eSIM data deals, but we're unsure whether there are routers that support eSIMs—or if it might be better to use a spare mobile phone with a data-only SIM and hotspot it to our laptops and TV. Starlink seems reliable but expensive.


Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. We will be traveling to France, Italy, Switzerland, Croatia, Thanks in advance!

I haven't read through much of the thread but I reckon the OP has enjoyed their trip, by now.

For others, though, I'll respond by saying I shall be using the mobile hotspot set-up. I ahve ruled out Starlink for a number of reasons which include:-

1. I wouldn't want to use space for a costly dish, when the alternative, which is the fitment of solar panels, would continually save me money. The cost of a dish would include its set-up costs, the continual subscription and, also, the continual loss of free electricity.

2. I wouldn't want to add more weight to the roof as would be required by a satellite or other type dish because I don't want a top-heavy, wayward, 2CV-like motorhome, I'll use the weight allowance for solar and skylights.

3. I wouldn't want to be tied to just one operator. With a mobile hot-spot, I shall have the choice of provider (and consequent competitional benefits), on an on-going basis.

 

[Rog NotJane]

Another quick note on starlink for completeness. If you want to go to Turkey or Morocco, they do not have coverage there:

|

www.starlink.com

 

[zac]

Another quick note on starlink for completeness. If you want to go to Turkey or Morocco, they do not have coverage there:

|

www.starlink.com

I did see that even though it says no coverage it did work in Morocco but there are no guarantees of course. That was a youtuber I believe.

 

[ianto999]

We have had two 3-month trips in Europe with Starlink, and while good, it can be frustrating if you are near trees that reduce or block your signal. I work remotely while travelling, and often video calls or TV streaming would be lost, and we revert to a mobile phone hotspot. Last trip on EE unlimited, we used 1.5TB of data without a problem.

This coming trip, we have bought a GL-3000 router, with its own EE unlimited data SIM. Testing at home has shown it to be far superior to Starlink, both in speed (up to 120 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload), so we have now halted our subscription; no more payments to Elon Musk.... Setup costs about the same, but EE running costs 75% cheaper.

How did you get EE unlimited and how many £ please? I’m not getting that option from my current EE account.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Peregrinator]

This June, we're planning to travel extensively around Europe for about five months. Fortunately, we're not restricted by the 90-day Schengen limit. Our main concern is reliable internet access while on the road.


We're considering two options: Starlink or a SIM card setup with a router. We've seen some attractive eSIM data deals, but we're unsure whether there are routers that support eSIMs—or if it might be better to use a spare mobile phone with a data-only SIM and hotspot it to our laptops and TV. Starlink seems reliable but expensive.


Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. We will be traveling to France, Italy, Switzerland, Croatia, Thanks in advance!

We have external 4G & 5G antenna on the roof connected to a GL-3000 AX Router/Hub, and until last month had a £12 a month all unlimited including roaming iD simm, but last month it started playing up, I think iD are playing their funny games again once in Europe, I now have the same setup at home, I replaced Virgin Fiber, so I reduced my monthly out lay by £110 a month, best thing I done, Did a test before I switched, three TV's (2 at 8K, 1 at 4K) one IPad and two mobiles all playing movies at the same time, with no delay, 5G receiving 500Mbs, I was sold, The £12 a month sim at home don't have any problems, only other outlays are Amazon Prime and Netflix

 

[AndyVW]

I have a Gen 3 array permantle installed to to roof via a Trio mag mount, So it actually very easy to take off. The power supply is a 12 to 59 volt transformer also from trio permantly installed ,
80 days on three Canary Islands worked just perfectly .
For me it works like this , I live in a part of the UK that has no internet line, even the copper cable won’t support the internet, I have tried the other Saterlite internet provider, it was Rubbish ,
Mobile net work at my house only works if I stand outside by my front gate. So no indoor service.
The Gen 3 Array and router are removed from the van and put in the house
So one cost for home and Motorhome
Perfect and only solution

 

[MisterB]

I haven't read through much of the thread but I reckon the OP has enjoyed their trip, by now.

For others, though, I'll respond by saying I shall be using the mobile hotspot set-up. I ahve ruled out Starlink for a number of reasons which include:-

1. I wouldn't want to use space for a costly dish, when the alternative, which is the fitment of solar panels, would continually save me money. The cost of a dish would include its set-up costs, the continual subscription and, also, the continual loss of free electricity.

2. I wouldn't want to add more weight to the roof as would be required by a satellite or other type dish because I don't want a top-heavy, wayward, 2CV-like motorhome, I'll use the weight allowance for solar and skylights.

3. I wouldn't want to be tied to just one operator. With a mobile hot-spot, I shall have the choice of provider (and consequent competitional benefits), on an on-going basis.

Whilst I understand the points you make, I don't necessarily agree with them, however it's your choice and your money ....

1, our dish is a stripped down version and we have it placed up against a skylight internally, it can be moved to be externally mounted or even on the windscreen. The cost is just the initial outlay but the ongoing subscription is a pain I agree. But as we only use ours 'abroad', I re registered one in France so only pay around £61 per month for unlimited and can pause it, it works for us. As for it using free electricity, that's the best type to use lol! When our battery is full we waste 'free electricity' anyway!


2 weight of a stripped down version is prob the equivalent of two bags of sugar

3 that's one thing I agree about, though competition in the sat Comms market may reduce costs in the future

What suits one person doesn't always suit the other person but I'm happy with my choice as you prob are with yours.

 

[Fragle]

Whilst I understand the points you make, I don't necessarily agree with them, however it's your choice and your money ....

1, our dish is a stripped down version and we have it placed up against a skylight internally, it can be moved to be externally mounted or even on the windscreen. The cost is just the initial outlay but the ongoing subscription is a pain I agree. But as we only use ours 'abroad', I re registered one in France so only pay around £61 per month for unlimited and can pause it, it works for us. As for it using free electricity, that's the best type to use lol! When our battery is full we waste 'free electricity' anyway!


2 weight of a stripped down version is prob the equivalent of two bags of sugar

3 that's one thing I agree about, though competition in the sat Comms market may reduce costs in the future

What suits one person doesn't always suit the other person but I'm happy with my choice as you prob are with yours.

If power and weight are the main reason for not having it then the mini is the solution

 

[ian27]

How did you get EE unlimited and how many £ please? I’m not getting that option from my current EE account.

Scancom on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Sca...A8F4-9464-4198-92A7-2ADD410E40E7?tag=mhf04-21
Gigantic prepaid data bundles from all major UK networks. I have a Three and an EE from them at the moment. They are generally UK only though, no roaming.