Starlink has quickly become a game-changer for internet access in rural and hard-to-serve areas—and for good reason. Whether you’re frustrated with slow DSL, unreliable cable, or simply don’t have better options available, Starlink offers a powerful alternative.

Speed

Starlink routinely delivers real-world speeds in the 300–400 Mbps download range with uploads around 15–25 Mbps, which is a massive improvement over services like CenturyLink DSL that often struggle to reach 8 Mbps down / 2 Mbps up in many areas. In some locations, Starlink now competes directly with cable internet speeds. Fiber is still faster when available—but many rural areas don’t have fiber yet. Even where fiber exists, outages happen. In fact, as I write this, my fiber connection is down while Starlink is still keeping me online.

Location & Coverage

Starlink works almost anywhere, as long as you can manage obstructions like trees or buildings. Early on, Starlink required a very wide, unobstructed view of the sky. Today, the system is far more forgiving. In many cases, service is reliable even with trees nearby, as long as there’s a reasonably clear window of sky in one primary direction.

Cost & Value

Starlink’s Standard Residential plan is currently around $120/month, which comfortably supports most households with 4–6 people. There’s also a lower-cost plan (around $80/month) that works well for couples or lighter usage.
Because Starlink handles streaming so well—Smart TVs, Roku, Fire Stick, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, and more—many customers save money by cutting traditional satellite TV entirely. You often get a stronger, more reliable signal and fewer weather-related issues in the process.

Power Resilience

Unlike many wired internet services, Starlink can stay online during power outages—as long as you have power. With a battery backup, generator, or solar setup, Starlink can continue working even when the local ISP or infrastructure is down.

Mobile, Portable & Marine Use

Starlink isn’t just for homes anymore. Mobile and portable use has completely changed the game. I personally run Starlink on my Jeep and can make WiFi calls and stay connected virtually anywhere. The Starlink Mini takes portability even further, with compact and even battery-powered options available. It’s a solid solution for camping, boating, RV use, remote work, and off-grid adventures.

Reliability

The biggest challenge with Starlink tends to be the initial setup and software/firmware updates. At the time of writing, we see roughly a 20% early failure rate, usually tied to hardware or updates right out of the box. The good news? Once a system is fully updated and running, reliability has been excellent. There has only been one notable multi-hour outage in several years, and Starlink has a strong track record of replacing failed equipment—even years after purchase.

Is Starlink Right for You?

Starlink is an incredible solution—but it’s not always the only or best option. If a reliable $65/month internet service meets your needs, Starlink may not be necessary. Our goal is to help you choose the right solution for your location, usage, and budget, whether that’s Starlink or something else. If you are located in our local service area, submit a Starlink Site Survey Request today to have us come out and evaluate your site to offer you the best solution for your application, installation method, and more!

📞 Contact Lone Pine Technology today and we’ll help you determine what internet option actually makes the most sense for you.

Why Starlink?