starlink advice needed please

March 04, 2026, 07:06 PM

I searched and the latest post was from 2024, I am looking for more current info, I am looking to buy my SL (starlink) here in Texas and travel with it to the Philippines, maybe even leave it there for my families use.
is this possible, will they work there IF they are bought here ?

Voltage is much different there and I don't know how that would work

can I bring it in a backpack on a plane ??--shipping is out of the question

We will use it to face time only, prob 5-6 times a week, no gaming and minimal web surfing. Will a basic no frills account do or do I need a bigger package ?

it is (or seems to be ) much cheaper here, with some offers even waiving equipment cost, with contracted subscription services by the month.

any help is appreciated,
thanks

March 04, 2026, 07:11 PM

jprebb

I bought a Starlink Mini here in the US for use while working in the Dominican Republic. No issues whatsoever!

If the Starlink will fit in your backpack, I see no reason why you could not carry it on. I bought a small Pelican case for my Mini and just checked it.

I'm doing a 100 MB roaming package and I think it's $50 a month. I currently have it suspended but they still charge $5 bucks a month.

Hope this helps.

JP

March 04, 2026, 07:27 PM

creslin

quote:
Originally posted by jprebb:

I'm doing a 100 MB roaming package and I think it's $50 a month. I currently have it suspended but they still charge $5 bucks a month.

So you can buy the hardware and then basically put it in limbo (for $5/month) to sit unused until you need it?
If so, what's the timetable for activating it again?
Is it as simple as a phone call for "hey turn me back on again please!"
Or is there a delay between the phone call and when it's up and running again?

March 04, 2026, 07:36 PM

mkueffer

It only takes a few minutes to go into your account and change the plan off “roam” to an active plan.

The Starlink mini has cables/adapters that can use USB-C port to power it. My plan is to use a power cell (NOCO) when remote on the motorcycle. If you can find USB-C adapter in country you should be set.

March 04, 2026, 08:23 PM

jprebb

quote:
Originally posted by creslin:
So you can buy the hardware and then basically put it in limbo (for $5/month) to sit unused until you need it?
If so, what's the timetable for activating it again?
Is it as simple as a phone call for "hey turn me back on again please!"
Or is there a delay between the phone call and when it's up and running again?

As mkueffer stated, login to your Starlink account and reactivate it. Done!

JP

March 04, 2026, 10:13 PM

golddot

awesome thanks fellas, did you purchase the gear and if so , may I ask the pricing? Is there a particular vendor I should use or buy right from the SL website ?

March 04, 2026, 10:16 PM

jprebb

I bought it directly from the Starlink website. IIRC, it was ~$260.

I do think there is a difference between the Mini and a permenant solution. Investigate that.

JP

March 05, 2026, 05:26 AM

snowdog

Buy directly from Starlink. My wife thought she could save a few pennies by buying through Walmart. Could not link to the satellite network. Turned out it was a unit, despite it’s pristine packaging, that had been pre registered and useless. Walmart refunded our money fortunately.

March 05, 2026, 08:32 AM

golddot

thanks fellas !

March 05, 2026, 08:59 AM

architect

quote:
Originally posted by golddot:
I searched and the latest post was from 2024, I am looking for more current info, I am looking to buy my SL (starlink) here in Texas and travel with it to the Philippines, maybe even leave it there for my families use.
is this possible, will they work there IF they are bought here?

No. Read the user agreement, it clearly states that service for a particular uplink is keyed to a physical location. If you want to use in in the Philippines, you have to buy it in the Philippines. There are most certainly PH regulations for radio-based services that differ significantly from US standards. StarLink now has movable equipment and plans intended for RV use, but I don't think they cover International travel (I think I also saw an sea-going plan). With their standard service plan, your existing equipment is "locked" to the location you specified when you signed up. Overall, I suspect your best option would be to acquire a PH mobile phone/account that can be used as a "hotspot." You could fund your relatives' purchase and try it out fairly easily with far fewer uncertainties.

quote:
Voltage is much different there and I don't know how that would work

Undoubtedly, transformers are available. You might also investigate employing a "solar generator" to power an uplink.

quote:
can I bring it in a backpack on a plane ??--shipping is out of the question

Dunno, TSA will have an opinion, as will the airline and PH customs.

quote:
We will use it to face time only, prob 5-6 times a week, no gaming and minimal web surfing. Will a basic no frills account do or do I need a bigger package ?

The lowest bandwidth tier should be more than enough (assuming that you can get service at all).

quote:
it is (or seems to be ) much cheaper here, with some offers even waiving equipment cost, with contracted subscription services by the month.

Don't forget there may be taxes as well. Many foreign Govts. tax the hell out of telecommunication services. I would be very surprised if PH was cheaper than the US.

March 05, 2026, 09:37 AM

old rugged cross

Thought hard about it but turned out Xfinity had a pretty good deal that was hard to beat price wise.

March 06, 2026, 09:14 PM

golddot

quote:
Originally posted by architect:
quote:
Originally posted by golddot:
I searched and the latest post was from 2024, I am looking for more current info, I am looking to buy my SL (starlink) here in Texas and travel with it to the Philippines, maybe even leave it there for my families use.
is this possible, will they work there IF they are bought here?
No. Read the user agreement, it clearly states that service for a particular uplink is keyed to a physical location. If you want to use in in the Philippines, you have to buy it in the Philippines. There are most certainly PH regulations for radio-based services that differ significantly from US standards. StarLink now has movable equipment and plans intended for RV use, but I don't think they cover International travel (I think I also saw an sea-going plan). With their standard service plan, your existing equipment is "locked" to the location you specified when you signed up. Overall, I suspect your best option would be to acquire a PH mobile phone/account that can be used as a "hotspot." You could fund your relatives' purchase and try it out fairly easily with far fewer uncertainties.

quote:
Voltage is much different there and I don't know how that would work
Undoubtedly, transformers are available. You might also investigate employing a "solar generator" to power an uplink.

quote:
can I bring it in a backpack on a plane ??--shipping is out of the question
Dunno, TSA will have an opinion, as will the airline and PH customs.

quote:
We will use it to face time only, prob 5-6 times a week, no gaming and minimal web surfing. Will a basic no frills account do or do I need a bigger package ?
The lowest bandwidth tier should be more than enough (assuming that you can get service at all).

quote:
it is (or seems to be ) much cheaper here, with some offers even waiving equipment cost, with contracted subscription services by the month.
Don't forget there may be taxes as well. Many foreign Govts. tax the hell out of telecommunication services. I would be very surprised if PH was cheaper than the US.

day late Nova, I wish I would have seen this ,i ordered one yesterday and it is enroute now.