New limitations on Starlink coastal?

[DDW]

New verbiage has appeared in the FAQs for the Roam and Unlimited Roam plans. The just changed this recently to allow only 60 days of use at a time in foreign countries. Now they have added a limitation for coastal use - 5 consecutive and 60 days total per year. "Coastal" used to be vague enough that many areas (the Ditch, Inside Passage) were not considered coastal. They have also updated their coverage map to identify most of these areas as water. According the Youtube pundits, Starlink reps have been inconsistent, some saying that a marina for example is close enough to land, others saying if it shows up as water on their coverage map, that is coastal.

This has been the problem with Starlink from the beginning, plans change almost hourly, you have no idea when you buy the dish what you are going to be paying beyond the end of the month. I have the $50/m roam plan, it is plenty for what I do (weather and occasional browsing). Strictly read, the new rules will force me to the $250/m plan on a trip up the inland passage to Alaska.

 

[tiltrider1]

Your link leads to the availability map, not the coverage map.

Definitions with Starlink are difficult. As of today, I know no one who has lost coverage while boating the inside passage. Not saying it couldn’t happened. I do know that revenue is important to Starlink, if they start cutting all the cruisers off who can substitute cell coverage guess what will happen.

 

[SteveK]

THIS link was what Starlink availability map used to look like showing the octagons of service. Probably copied and the satilites added because availability areas do not show an octagon. We may never hear of anyone within 12 miles losing signal unless they travel putside the octagones for more than 5 days at a time or more than 60 days in a year.
Marketing is trying hard to get you boaters to buy the marine plan.

 

[DDW]

Your link leads to the availability map, not the coverage map.

Definitions with Starlink are difficult. As of today, I know no one who has lost coverage while boating the inside passage. Not saying it couldn’t happened. I do know that revenue is important to Starlink, if they start cutting all the cruisers off who can substitute cell coverage guess what will happen.

Supposedly, the changes will take place with the 10/10 plan change, but may not be enforced until there is an app update which will tell you where you are. They delayed some other changes until early next year for this reason. The availability map suggests that it is not available in the inside passage. I just returned last week from up there, no issues - but that was before the change was announced.

 

[psneeld]

I found this on the Starlink website

"Coastal coverage (up to 12 nautical miles off the coast) in territorial waters where Starlink provides active coverage around the world for up to 5 consecutive days at a time and a total of 60 days over the course of a year"

If they mean "territorial waters" at least in the US it is usually well defined on nautical charts. Plus if you bump outside here and there occasionally. you have the 5/60 day limits.

 

[Datenight]

Is anyone planning to use Starlink in the Bahamas this year? We head down from Connecticut in two weeks. Not worried about coverage down the ICW but beginning to have concerns about the Bahamas.
Thanks,

Rob

 

[slowgoesit]

Rob, we plan on being in the Bahamas in January, with SL, not this year, but less than 90 days away.

 

[Datenight]

Scott, would love to meet you both! After Thanksgiving with Diane's family in Florida we will cross in the first good weather window. Our plan is to base out of Hopetown.
Rob

 

[slowgoesit]

Rob, where in Florida are you spending Thanksgiving? Our trip timing is being driven by house renovation, and a scheduled trip Laura has to Egypt in mid to late December. We're center of the state, just off of the Caloosahatchee Canal. If you're headed that way, we'll probably have room on the dock for you for a few nights!
Tentatively figuring on Dry Tortugas early November, then Thanksgiving here at home, then Bahamas in January.
We're newbies to the Bahamas, so wouldn't mind buddy boating, or "same day, same way" with another boat

 

[DDW]

I found this on the Starlink website

"Coastal coverage (up to 12 nautical miles off the coast) in territorial waters where Starlink provides active coverage around the world for up to 5 consecutive days at a time and a total of 60 days over the course of a year"

If they mean "territorial waters" at least in the US it is usually well defined on nautical charts. Plus if you bump outside here and there occasionally. you have the 5/60 day limits.

My reading of that is that you have 5/60 day limits inside "territorial waters" and none outside. Strictly applied, that means the ICW and Inside Passage. No one (even Starlink reps) seem to know how strictly it will be applied.

 

[psneeld]

My reading of that is that you have 5/60 day limits inside "territorial waters" and none outside. Strictly applied, that means the ICW and Inside Passage. No one (even Starlink reps) seem to know how strictly it will be applied.

Upon rereading I believe you are correct. It will be interesting to see how far off the coast they will get picky both close and just barely beyond the 12 miles.

 

[RobertLeatch]

7

Upon rereading I believe you are correct. It will be interesting to see how far off the coast they will get picky both close and just barely beyond the 12 miles.

I think the more important question is how CLOSE to the land the 12 miles of costal coverage starts. People used to rely on the hexagon map (with any hexagon touching land being considered "on land") but those maps have been removed and no longer appear. If Starlink are trying to stop boats from using the various Roam plans (which seems a theme) then the 5/60 day limits make sense. If your not actually on land then your next in costal waters and limited. I think we will only really know If and when Starlink starts enforcing.

 

[luna]

I can see this allowing service while in the ICW, but does it also allow service to the Inside Passage? The bulk of the first 500 miles of this passage is in Canada.

If taken literally, would this actually mean that Northbound Americans would lose service at 49º N and then have it restored at about 54º 45' N?

Similarly, could it be that a Canadian out of Victoria B.C. would lose service at about 2 hours into a 12 hour run to Seattle Wa?

Finally, 5 consecutive days of service and then you're cut off, (at least for a day) does not leave any time for a Canadian to enjoy the moment should they want to travel the 400 or so miles from Vancouver to Prince Rupert.

It all seems seems too punitive to me. Then again, maybe my understanding is wrong.

I would think Starlink is looking to force these international or longer term travellers into the more expensive Maritime Service solution.

 

[RobertLeatch]

Worse case this makes the Roam plans impractical for anyone on a boat except if predominately based at a marina that is also showing as land on Starlinks map. Lots of internet threads about this but I found this one a good overview Upcoming Starlink "Coastal Coverage" Limits Might Push Cruisers To More Expensive Plan

 

[tpbrady]

I just saw this on the Starlink’s for boats Facebook page. If true it seems to indicate staying in territorial waters will be treated as roaming. Unlike some things Starlink does, this would make sense. One thing we have noticed about Starlink is that they are not internally consistent. One part of the organization makes a decision that affects another part and they don’t bother to tell them.

 

[DDW]

The 5 day limitation, strictly enforced, would affect everyone cruising the PNW, not just USA traveling north or CA traveling south. They know exactly where you are within a few feet, so can easily tell if they want to, that you are in 'coastal waters'. Almost any 5 day cruising trip, even in the San Juans or Gulf Islands, would exceed the 5 day limit.

The 2 month limit outside of country could be a concern for the Inland Passage, though you are traveling pretty slowly if WA -> SEAK takes 2 months.

 

[DDW]

That Facebook post (useless to those of us who won't use Facebook) does not seem to address the coastal coverage limitation for the $50 Roam plan.

 

[tpbrady]

DDW,

Like I said, Starlink is often not internally consistent. What I posted was apparently a Starlink response to a bevy of customer questions.

Tom