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Rumors of a new, even more mobile version of Starlink have been around for some time. Now Elon Musk has secretly launched the Starlink mini terminal in Germany too.
There are new tariffs for the handy antenna.
What is the Starlink Mini?
The Starlink Mini is a compact version of SpaceX’s well-known satellite internet system.
According to the specifications that have now been published, the antenna measures just under 30 x 30 centimeters and is less than four centimeters thick – small enough to fit in a rucksack.
The weight is just over one kilogram, including the fold-out stand.
Improved power supply
Previously, all Starlink terminals had to be operated with alternating current, which was problematic for mobile applications and required an inverter. There is also a whole range of more or less professional DIY solutions for converting to 12 volts.
The mini version can be operated directly with 12 to 48 volts DC.
The antenna can also be powered via USB-C power supplies or a corresponding power bank with at least 100 watts of power. The Mini’s energy consumption is between 25 and 40 watts – significantly less than the standard devices of the second (50 to 75 watts) and third generation (75 to 100 watts).
Starlink Mini comes with integrated router and Wi-Fi access point
Unlike previous models, the Mini’s dish contains both a router and a Wi-Fi access point. This means that only one power cable is required. Surprisingly, the built-in Wifi access point only supports the Wifi 5 standard.
The normal Starlink routers work with the newer Wifi 6, although the transmission speed of the older standard is far higher than that of the Mini’s satellite connection. If you still want to use an external Wifi access point, you can use the Ethernet connection on the back of the dish.
This is apparently even fitted with a seal. As long as a suitable cable is used, the Mini is said to be IP67 waterproof.
Favorable, but more expensive than expected
According to an invitation email to early subscribers, the kit achieves more than 100 megabits per second – less than other end devices, but sufficient for most everyday Internet tasks. Above about 50 megabits, latency becomes more important than throughput.
Elon Musk recently tweeted about the Mini and hinted that the device and service would only be half the price of current offers: around 250 dollars for the device and around 75 dollars per month for the mobile phone tariff.
However, the antenna is currently on offer in Germany for 399 euros.
In addition, there is a data tariff of an additional 59 dollars per month.
This is intended for use on land, offers unlimited data volume and is suitable for coastal anchoring and use in harbors. Those who also want to go online at sea can do so with the Mobile Priority tariff for 289 euros. This can now also be switched on as required; it can be activated via an app before setting sail, in which case you pay around 2.30 euros per gigabyte. When in port, you switch back to the basic tariff. Activating and deactivating should take around 15 minutes.