Are You Wasting $$$ on Starlink Roam?

If you don't need some of the core features of Starlink Roam, such as in-motion use, you might be able to use the Residential service instead. In this video, I talk about how you can get most of the features from Roam on the cheaper and faster Residential service plan.

[@marketshare3969]

My new go to channel for up-to-date information for Starlink thanks for a timely and no BS delivery of your information.👍👊😎

[@plaraiii]

So glad I found this video. Truly grateful for the time and effort you put into this.

[@StarlinkHardware]

Glad it was helpful! I appreciate the feedback!

[@precision_aerial]

Thank you so much for this video! I am a drone pilot doing telecom towers and having the ability to upload my work more quickly would really help. I think I may go with the residential plan and just update my location at each site I visit. You are the man!!

[@StarlinkHardware]

You’re welcome, thanks for the kind words!

[@threesixty4486]

Thanks! Finally a quick and clear explanation.

[@raulunzueta576]

Great video good info straight to the point !!

[@robertjohnson957]

Nice summary! Thank you!

[@StarlinkHardware]

You're welcome, thanks for the feedback.

[@edwyn_pyron]

Great job on the video, thanks

[@marcelinopastrana6750]

Great video, thank you.

[@alandproject]

i was looking for this comparison for soooo long !!!! thanks

[@StarlinkHardware]

No problem!

[@ArisenDD]

Hello, thank you for the explanation. But can I also change the service plan from residential to roam?

[@tt4569]

I think the issue is for people off grid using your phone to update to a location with no residential address and no cell service would be a problem

[@themightyprophet]

I was actually thinking about this and wanted to ask. So probably the solution for this one is knowing where the next stop is. And set the new address prior leaving the old camp spot and then camp exactly at the designated area...

[@themightyprophet]

I don't have starlink... Yet... Hence watching these videos to get one in Latam.

[@Dylanear]

I was told when I ordered my Starlink about 5 weeks ago that you can only update your service address something like 3 times a year? I may be wrong about the number of times and the time period, but it was clearly not going to allow me to update the address every time I stop for the night on a road trip. Now, I have used my Starlink in 3 locations around the same city without changing anything and there's been no problems. So it'll be interesting to see how far from my home address I can get, and how many locations I can use it from before my service is affected or I get a messaging telling me I need to change to a roaming account! I want to try this if just as an experiment!

[@piotrkaczmarski2651]

Waiting for the test results

[@Dylanear]

@@piotrkaczmarski2651 May be a number of weeks before I get on the road, but I'll try to remember to write an update here!

[@jamesarevalo1626]

When you stop service mid month of your billing, can you still use the remaining days?

[@ajf5823]

Starlink only recently made it easier to switch plans. I got the Roam because l work seasonal jobs and move every 4-6 months but l don’t take my Starlink for weekend camping trips so l switch to residential when l am one place for months.

[@MonkeyPunchZPoker]

Wow, Starlink just got more tempting after this video.

[@n7spd250]

Can I use it at not available area with roam plan?

[@PaulSmithQA]

I chose standard plan and set service address at our first camp site, then a week later we moved to another camp site a state over from the first service address. When trying to change the service address it says that I'm unable to change it at this time. I closed and reopened the app, same message, then tried again later, same message. Please advice, I have to work and need this internet asap. Any ideas that I can try other than just changing to the mobile plan?

[@regkeown8914]

answered some questions for me . I wand to mount the dish on my truck and use it in 2 or 3 locations for work. residential would work for that so long as the system doesn't flag multiple service address changes. any Idea if this could be an issue?

[@bretthackman5415]

Thanks for the information. How long do you have to stay at one location, to make it worth while to change your address and keep your residential service? I was doing this before when I first got mine, was changing the address each time we moved our RV. I believe they made some changes where I couldn't do that, so had to sign up for mobile data. Will Starlink allow you to change your address multiple times a month?

[@Dylanear]

I should contact them to clarify, but when I ordered my dish and service about a month ago they said something like 3 address updates a year? Now, I've used it at 3 locations in the past months since I've gotten it without doing any updating of my address, but all those locations have been in around 5 or 10 miles of the original address? So, they don't seem to care I'm moving it around, but I'm not moving it all that far. Surely I've been using the same ground based infrastructure, in particular, the "gateways". So, maybe as long as your system is accessing the same gateway or maybe the same few gateways if you similarly close to multiple gateways, they aren't going to get picky about your exact GPS location (which you can be sure they know). I'm only speculating here! I do plan on just using it nightly as I take a road trip this summer and just see how far I get before the service stops, or I get a message saying I need to change to a mobile plan, or just get billed for a mobile plan. I'm not trying to rip them off. I don't mind paying for a mobile plan, but I am just very curious how this all works!!! In the name of SCIENCE! ;)

[@alaskaprimal907]

So my second location is an out in the middle of nowhere cabin. There will be no address to change it to? Same state as my normal residence. Also absolutely no cell service out there so I have to change it before I go out? And can I just pick a point on a map? Do I even need to change it if I stay in the same state?

[@StarlinkHardware]

You can use Google plus codes instead of an address, or simply drag and drop the dot on the map on your account dashboard. You should be able to access Starlink.com to do this, directly through the dish, no cell service required. But it's always safest to do it ahead of time just in case that doesn't work. Yes, you will need to change it even in the same state. You can generally travel within your service cell without updating the address, which is about 12 sq. miles.

[@alaskaprimal907]

@@StarlinkHardware awesome! Thanks

[@tooldiygeek]

Great summary, thanks for posting that. My question is, if you move continent, how would you update your address? You said it can't be done through cancelling the service and re-activating it? Surely there must be a way I can take my starling hardware to another continent when I move there for months or years?

[@StarlinkHardware]

You can only change countries by creating new Starlink account. You would have to cancel your subscription, transfer the dish out of the account, and activate the equipment on a new account in the new country. The limitation is that Starlink requires you to wait at least 90 days from activation until the equipment can be transferred, so it's not that useful for people that travel to different countries often.

[@mariofelipefarhat]

​@@StarlinkHardwareinteresting! but what if I move constantly inside the country?? my job requires I move at least twice a year. Is it possible to have the starlink subscription and/or update in my case? For example, I can live and woek in the XPTO city for 5 months and then move to the XPTO2 city and be working there for more 7 months and so...

[@stufrags]

So… could I have residential and use it in the same town but at 2 locations, without having to change addresses?

[@xuxon24]

the only reason i wanted roam was to pause the service but if you say that residential can be paused aswell then it solves all my issues. i only intend to use the service like 4 months per year and not being able to pause it would be too bad.

[@philfooshay]

Why does Starlink advertise being able to pause your plan with roam as a selling point if you can effectively do the same thing with residential?

[@masdi727]

Pls tell me if you got ur answer ive been wondering this too

[@abigailwaterman4938]

When you change the address on your Residential account, how long does it take the switch to work? For example, when we go RV-ing for a long weekend somewhere and changed the address, will the internet instantly work? TIA!

[@StarlinkHardware]

In my experience it can take 5-15 minutes.

[@ChrisMuncy]

So for clarification, if I have starlink residential installed at my home, then decide to take it camping with me, knowing that I'll need to change my address, I will need to take both the dish and router with me, I can't just get a backup router to keep in my motorhome correct?

[@Dylanear]

If you are camping not far from home? I don't think you will have any problems, not at this point. I've been staying at short term rentals around the same rural city, three different locations so far in about 10 mile area, I have not updated my address at all and it's always just worked. I believe you can only change your address something like 3 times a year, so I wouldn't do that unless you are actually moving. They don't seem to care, at least for now about moving it around the same general area? So camping not too far from home, taking it over to a friends place for an event, I suspect you can just do and and nothing needs to be done.

[@aceventuraaceventura2003]

Hey, thanks for the tip. I was baffled as to why StarLink would not let me change the Service Location Address. But it turns out that (someone correct me if I am wrong) you cannot change Service Address via Website but you can change it using the StarLink Mobile App. Same as you, I thought that "roam" was sort of unncessary as if I am in transit, I would hotspot my phone anyway as most Interstates have cell coverage. So yeah, Residential plan in my opinion is a better option for most people, including myself.

[@StarlinkHardware]

It's the opposite, you can change it via the website (desktop or mobile) but not in the app. The app just directs you to the website to manage most plan settings.

[@jimhoff1488]

OK what if I' on a residential plan and I'm away in the trailer and I pull into a boondock spot--but there is no cellular signal---can I change the address over the starlink itself? Or am I DITW until I get to a cellular signal?

[@StarlinkHardware]

You can always access Starlink.com through the dish to activate service, even without cell service.

[@jimhoff1488]

Even if I'm out of my official residential area? @@StarlinkHardware

[@StarlinkHardware]

Yes, Starlink allows a connection to their website even if your service is not active, or you are outside of the service address. It's always best to be able to update your address beforehand (your dish will generally work within a pretty large area of the service address, doesn't need to be exact).

[@jimhoff1488]

awesome thank you sir. Subbed. @@StarlinkHardware

[@Libturk]

from where you get that small starlink kit

[@StarlinkHardware]

It's sold on the SpaceX.com shop under all accessories.

[@CCCPWarHammer]

if i take the residential service, can i change locations of server whilst in a none service area? i work on oil rigs, 95% of the time im in no service area, if i get starlink and use residential service instead of roam, will it work in none service areas too setup? or i need roam only. thanks

[@StarlinkHardware]

Oil rigs like in the ocean? Mobile Priority is required for ocean use. Residential only works on land.

[@jerryfuentes3100]

Hey man did it work for you? it made me switch plans once i was out in the field

[@CCCPWarHammer]

@@jerryfuentes3100 yeah i just used the mobile service, and i can set it up when in the shacks, and if we rig move i stow it and re-do the setup. that takes 30 secs. also an option to use 'on demand' service if you take your starlink in a truck, for $2 a GB but service is while moving that is nice. i currently do not need the on demand service, but the mobile spot and go is nice, works fine here in SK/AB. just remember if you do need on demand, to make sure your starlink is on flat setting the telescope/sensor has to be set too flat, works better when moving. tests so far are; Gen 2 dish; stationary 179-301mb down, 89-113mg upload moving 78-199mb down, 67-72 mb upload

[@Hawk_eye]

I am what you call a snow bird, so I travel from Canada to Florida during the winter, that would be considered changing countries, so I guess it wont work for me?

[@StarlinkHardware]

Correct, Starlink won’t allow you to change the service address outside of the original country.

[@omidrahimi2038]

Is there any difference in speed for regional and global plans?

[@StarlinkHardware]

No, both use the same type of Starlink data (Mobile) with the same priority. However, performance varies based on a number of factors. Location, time of day, how many other users are in the area, etc. If you are using Global Roam far away from Starlink ground stations, your performance will be lower.

[@omidrahimi2038]

@@StarlinkHardware tnx

[@javkhao]

Hello sir, I am contacting from Mongolia. We are new here for Starlink. I really love to use Starlink. But how can i use this?

[@StarlinkHardware]

You can check availability on Starlink.com, which would tell you what plan options are available.

[@COGirl444]

I already have Roam, can I convert it to Residential?

[@StarlinkHardware]

Yep! You should have a button that says “change service plan” when you log in to your account on the website. The change will happen at the start of the new billing cycle.

[@garyburke7597]

What if you boondock when RVing, so no actual address?

[@StarlinkHardware]

You can select a location on the map anywhere, or use Google plus codes in place of an address.

[@w.harrison7277]

But how do you unpause or reactivate service if you have no internet connection? My comcast goes down too much so I would like to have Starlink on standby to activate when comcast goes down, but how will I do that without an internet connection? I guess I would have to drive until I get a cellular data connection, then unpause and drive back.

[@StarlinkHardware]

You can power on Starlink and manage your service at Starlink.com through the dish. Even if your service is paused or cancelled. The dish will have internet access to Starlink.com.

[@w.harrison7277]

@@StarlinkHardware Sweet!

[@JohnPaul-nd3if]

How often can you update your service address?

[@StarlinkHardware]

As of right now there is no limit on the number of times you can change it.

[@jamesarevalo1626]

How can you stop the billing in residential? Roam has the pause service.

[@StarlinkHardware]

You can just cancel the Residential subscription to stop the billing. When you need it again, just reactivate Residential.

[@jamesarevalo1626]

@@StarlinkHardware how easy is this? Also, can I choose residential first then if I opted to try roam can i transfer to that and vice versa?

[@martinforsmoo5778]

How often is it possible to change service adress with the residential? Can you change unlimited times? There's no legal problems with that?

[@StarlinkHardware]

There is no limit right now. No legal issues.

[@martinforsmoo5778]

@@StarlinkHardware So you would say it's better to go with residential? We're going to travel in Europe, traveling on weekends, and working in same place on the weeks

[@martinforsmoo5778]

@@StarlinkHardware Saw a dude that was talking bout adding portability, that's now available anymore right?

[@abelblackzm]

If you’re in an area that is at capacity and you’re going to be put on a waitlist, isn’t roaming better? Since you’re able to start using it immediately

[@StarlinkHardware]

There really isn’t a waitlist or capacity issues anymore, with a few exceptions in some markets around the world. The US is wide open, capacity for Residential isn’t a concern anymore.

[@Sinnlayn]

So when your in the mountains and have no service your pretty much hopeless trying to set up residential

[@user-nh5ph4ej9l]

What the different between Global roaming and regional

[@StarlinkHardware]

Global can be used outside of your home continent, while Regional is restricted to within your home continent.

[@CaribbeanCurrents]

How do they know where you are located if you use a vpn address?

[@Honukimo]

Through the satellites themselves. When you connect to Starlink, you connect to multiple satellites and as each satellite orbits away from you, your connection is handed off to a new one. With three connected satellites, it is easy to triangulate your position. The same is true for your cellular connection. Multiple towers are connected to your phone and with just 3 towers your position can be triangulated. Further, the tower is in a fixed and know location, so if you ping a tower you are within the footprint of that tower. Starlink satellites are also in a known location. VPN only masks your origin of internet data packets, not from the other technologies of the internet providers.

[@0rl]

I looked at their plans for residential service and they have a promo for my area for $200 off of hardware ($299), but it stipulates I cannot make any plan or service location changes for 6 months otherwise they will bill me $200. If I plan to use it for RVing, then I guess the residential plan is no longer an option?

[@Dylanear]

Interesting. When I ordered my $399 refurb Gen 3 I said I wasn't sure how long I was going to be living here, they said I could change addresses or move to a mobile plan whenever I wanted.

[@StarlinkHardware]

They must be watching my videos that explain how people can get discounts no matter where you live lol. Looks like this is their method to close that loophole. It's a conditional offer rather than an outright price adjustment. Residential is still an option for RV's because you can technically still update your service address as much as you want, you'll just miss out on that specific $200 promotion.

[@Dylanear]

@@StarlinkHardware I should call or message them for clarification, but when I ordered my about a month or so ago I asked them about that and was told there WAS a limit to how many address changes you could make on a residential account, I think I recall him saying 3 times a year. Now I have used it at 3 locations in about a 10 mile radius of the service address at different short term rentals and I've never updated my account and it's always worked great. But that's very different than booting it up in a new state each night as you drive across the country. They may not forcefully disallow that, at least not yet, but who knows! I do plan to see how far I can get and how many locations I can use it at before I'm told, or forced to change to a mobile plan. Not because I want to rip them off, just because I want to see how this all works in the real world!

[@wim-riendijkstra7181]

Does it mean I can buy a second dish and use it somewhere else while at home my regular dish is conected for home services?

[@StarlinkHardware]

You can’t have two dishes on a single service plan, but you can have multiple subscriptions on your Starlink account.

[@jerryfuentes3100]

That didn’t work me out in the field out in the middle of nowhere

[@johnward536]

Update service address with no mobile service is not possible.

[@StarlinkHardware]

I’m still seeing the option to update my service address on the Residential plan, both on the website and the app.

[@johnward536]

@@StarlinkHardware if your outside your service address,no starlink. If no cell service you cant update service address.

[@StarlinkHardware]

@@johnward536You can access Starlink.com through the dish itself even with no active subscription. It’s best to update the location before you move if you know where you will be.

[@JonathanBaileyn2u]

Roam + BTech Network + / or Google Voice + Cellphone = Hybrid Satphone.