Starlink now useless for Yachts?

[aberglas]

I have just received a message saying that they will cancel my Starlink because I have been out of Australia for more then two months. They say they respect individual countries rights to limit Starlink and are yachts are interfering with their negotiations.


I need to move the address to a new country, which may or may not be possible.




Anyone else received these?

[PippaB]

Right there in the TOS:

If you use Mobile Services for more than two months in a country that is different than your shipping address, Starlink may require you to move your registered address to your new location. Starlink may immediately suspend your Services if your new location is not in an authorized territory (marked “Available or Waitlist”) on the Starlink map: www.starlink.com/map. Starlink Mobile Service charges will be ongoing until you pause the Service via your Starlink account.

Same language with minor changes for the name of the plan under all the mobile service offerings (Mobile, Mini Roam, Mobile Priority). 90% of the Indian Ocean basin is still pending regulatory approval, so makes sense that Starlink would not want to provide service while you are in a country where they are not registered to provide service.

[Statistical]

Useless for all yachts? No. Useless for you? Maybe Whose territorial waters are you currently in and how long have you been there?

[PippaB]

What I find the most fun is this:

Starlink Mobile Service charges will be ongoing until you pause the Service via your Starlink account.

"we're going to cut you off, but until you log in (probably from some other internet connection because we cut you off) and cancel your service (which you want to do because we cut you off), we are going to keep charging you - for service you are not getting."

[wholybee]

Are you on a regional plan, or the global plan? So far I have only heard of people getting this if they are on a regional plan.

[sailorboy1]

every time I read SL complaints I just think

well just cancel it if you want and go back to the old days

there is a FB page for Starlink on Boats that probably is fastest way to see what other boaters are experiencing etc

[aberglas]

I also have an InReach, which can receive SMSes. For longer passages, I would like a brief SMS weather report. Anyone know if one can be obtained? (InReach weather is worthless.)

[Katapult Mike]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

every time I read SL complaints I just think

well just cancel it if you want and go back to the old days

there is a FB page for Starlink on Boats that probably is fastest way to see what other boaters are experiencing etc

The good ol' days were good, and they are certainly old. But for a lot of cruisers today, being connected allows them to work while cruising, which is the only way they can go cruising. So this is an existential question for a lot of people.

I sure wish this was on option during my good ol' days of crusing.

[Avionics_Joe]

Originally Posted by aberglas

I also have an InReach, which can receive SMSes. For longer passages, I would like a brief SMS weather report. Anyone know if one can be obtained? (InReach weather is worthless.)

Check out https://wx2inreach.weebly.com/
It's what I used before Starlink.

[kmacdonald]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

every time I read SL complaints I just think

well just cancel it if you want and go back to the old days

there is a FB page for Starlink on Boats that probably is fastest way to see what other boaters are experiencing etc

Just take your chances on the weather. It will probably be favorable winds and weather. No need for star link.

[Audeamus]

As mentioned you don't mention your location and some are not starlink friendly.
However if you have only changed region/continent then you have I think 90 days to change. Its easy to change region, just use any marina or hotel address. Takes about 10 minutes but I needed alternate internet connection to do it. The info how to do this is all on the starlink website. (you can only do this every 90 days so may need another dishy for more frequent changes - pause one)

[aberglas]

Same region, I have Australian starlink and in Vanuatu going to Fiji.


I think I may need to change country, which requires creating a completely new account and transferring the hardware according to the web site.


I am wondering if others have experienced this.

[smac999]

2 months away from home country has been a rule since day 1.

Change your address. Or buy the global plan.

Or move to a country big enough you never need to leave it.

[PippaB]

The two-month limit applies to global plans just as much as regional, the TOS are the same.

FWIW, OP says they are in Vanuatu, and Vanuatu does not yet have Starlink service. In some places the dish is contraband just like anything else you are not supposed to bring in. Starlink may have a global satellite constellation, but they do not have global regulatory approval for the Earth terminals (Dishy).

IN-MOTION USE PROHIBITED FOR UNDESIGNATED KITS, COUNTRIES AND USES. YOU ARE PROHIBITED FROM INSTALLING OR USING A KIT ON A MOVING VEHICLE OR VESSEL UNLESS STARLINK HAS DESIGNATED YOUR SPECIFIC KIT MODEL AND/OR MOUNT FOR IN-MOTION USE AND HAS OBTAINED ALL REQUIRED IN-MOTION APPROVALS IN THE COUNTRY OF USE. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, USE OR INSTALLATION OF A KIT ON AN AIRCRAFT OF ANY KIND IS PROHIBITED IN ALL CASES. SERVICES IN-MOTION ON AN AIRCRAFT, VEHICLE OR VESSEL (e.g., CARS, VANS, RVs, BOATS) VIA AN UNAUTHORIZED KIT OR COUNTRY IS PROHIBITED, WILL VOID THE LIMITED WARRANTY OF YOUR KIT, AND MAY BE GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION OF YOUR AGREEMENT WITH STARLINK PER SECTION 6.6 OF THESE TERMS.

How hard is it to remember that we are guests in the places we visit, and local customs, no matter how inconvenient to our Westetn lifestyle, should be respected. Isn’t that why we go cruising?

[aberglas]

Originally Posted by Avionics_Joe

Check out https://wx2inreach.weebly.com/
It's what I used before Starlink.

This is eactly what I want. Thanks.