Is Starlink available in the UK? The whole of the UK, at last? And how much does Starlink cost UK?
Yes, even though the coverage in early 2023 did not include the northernmost regions of Scotland, today, any UK resident can enjoy reliable Starlink speed no matter where they are. But at what cost? And how fast is it, really?
As of November 2024, there are 6,764 Starlink satellites in orbit, of which 6,714 are working. This makes Starlink the best internet company around the globe and UK is no exception.
In this blog post, you will find out everything you need to know about the main features of Starlink in UK, including speed, Internet plans, subscription and equipment costs, and more.
How does Starlink Work UK
Starlink relies on three main components to ensure broadband Internet connection:
- Satellite constellation on LEO, with 4,500 spacecraft already operational
- Ground station network
- User terminals (standard or priority kit)
So, to use Starlink in the UK, you need to purchase (or rent) a terminal and pay a monthly subscription fee. Your Starlink speed will mostly depend on the terminal (kit) you purchase, but a monthly plan also plays a part here.
Standard Vs Priority Kit
So, how much does it cost to get Starlink UK? First, you choose your starter equipment kit. The standard kit costs £460, including VAT, even though the price may fluctuate a few pounds up and down. So far, the lowest offer was £449. You can also rent this basic kit for £15 a month.
Today, Starlink speed in the UK varies from 100 to 230 Mbps, and the standard equipment guarantees speeds within the lower limit. Note that 100 Mbps is the download limit, while upload will be significantly slower, usually within 25Mbps. In any case, most users who want to browse, stream, or make video calls will find the basic Starlink speed sufficient.
A more advanced starter equipment that ensures higher speed and better connectivity is pricier, £2,400, and is not available for rent. However, this kit can operate both in extreme hot and cold temperatures, has protection from melting snow, and promises up to three times higher Starlink speed. Besides, some Internet plans are only accessible with more advanced equipment — but more on that below.
Cost of Starlink UK
Starlink monthly cost will depend on the Internet package you choose. Right now, five Starlink service plans UK are available. There is no limit on how much data you upload or download — the traffic is unlimited. However, there are limits on the speed users get to enjoy.
Resident Standard
This is the most affordable plan available after purchasing or renting a standard equipment set. Later, you only need to pay £75 a month — no specific Starlink contract length UK, and you can cancel the service anytime. However, Starlink’s speed for download will unlikely get higher than 100Mbps, perhaps even less.
Resident Priority
This package, available with a more expensive kit, ensures higher connectivity and sets priority speed limits based on the amount of traffic you use. The ‘fast’ bytes cost:
- 40GB – £98
- 1TB – £150
- 2TB – £350
- 6TB – £1050
Once you use all of the pre-paid priority traffic, you reset to standard speed. Once again, there is no limit on how much you download — only on how fast you do it. No other UK satellite Internet provider offers unlimited data usage, and the competitors’ (if that term even applies) speeds are also significantly lower.
Business (Priority Kit)
Business packages work only with an advanced equipment kit and imply monthly payments depending on how much priority traffic a company intends to use. Starlink internet cost UK is the same as with the priority residential package, from £98 for 40GB to £1050 for 6TB. Once the paid high-speed amount runs out, businesses are switched back to lower speeds. Companies can also opt for a free 30-day trial.
Roaming (Standard Kit)
This package is perfect for people on the road and similar to a standard residential package. It works with basic equipment for £460; however, the kit must be purchased if you intend to roam with it. Also, the monthly cost is twenty pounds higher, standing at £95. The upside is that you will be able to use high-speed Internet throughout most of continental Europe, not just in the UK.
Maritime (Priority Kit)
A more advanced plan that ensures connectivity anywhere in the open seas. The plan requires priority equipment and costs £970 a month. On the other hand, this is the best option for maritime available at the moment.
Coming Soon: Aviation
Currently, this subscription plan is not available in the UK — so far, it only works on a few selected air routes. This is also the most expensive package that costs $25,000 a month on top of $150,000 for equipment. However, Starlink speed on aviation package should not be any lower — 40-220Mbps on download and up to 25 Mbps on upload.Â
Can You See Starlink Satellites in the Sky?
Yes, after all, more than six thousand of them are already up and running. If you want to know exactly when the Internet satellites will be passing over your head, check out the Starlink tracker website — put in your exact location and find out when the next device will be passing in your vicinity.
Or, you can check the live map, available on the same site, to see how Starlink satellites are moving in real-time. If the desktop version is not for you, there is an app that does the same — it could be even handier for tracking SATs out in the open.
Wrapping it All Up – Is Starlink worth it UK?
This, after all, is the most important question. If you do not travel much and live in an area where wire connection is possible, satellite Internet is unjustifiably expensive — so probably not.
But if you have to rely on satellite Internet in areas where wire connectivity is impossible — a definite yes! Starlink is the obvious winner because it is the most reliable option today — and not just in the UK, but throughout the whole of Western Europe, Northern America, Australia, and some parts of South America and Africa, too!
And while many Starlink reviews complain about high installation costs and subscription prices, one should not forget that satellite Internet is in its early days, and every pricey new tech eventually gets cheaper. So far, this is the best option when the price-quality ratio is concerned.
