Starlink

[No Plan]

Okay, I will contribute to this thread regarding what Starlink shows where my location is. Although I don't really care where Starlink shows my location as long as Starlink works, which it has for over 2 years, and it has performed flawlessly. Except on one occasion during an intense thunder storm with torrential rain and hail when I was in Colorado. It was only offline for 30 minutes so no big deal. I am currently in Casa Grande, AZ and Starlink is showing me located in Tempe, AZ, which is roughly 50 miles North of my physical location.

Regarding speeds, I find they vary throughout the day when I do speed tests. No doubt this has to do where the Starlink satellites are as they orbit the earth. I have the High Performance Starlink, use a Cradlepoint R1900 router, and I am on WiFi 6 5GHz. On the low end I will see download speeds of 60-70 Mbps. However, typically my download speeds are 175-200 Mbps and often times 350-400 Mbps. Upload speeds vary as well, 20-30 Mbps on the low end but I've seen 60-70 Mbps when my download speeds are on the higher side. Also, the orientation of my coach doesn't degrade my Starlink Internet speeds. At my current location I am facing directly South and I'm in a virtual Starlink antenna farm. Even with all the Starlink users here I am getting excellent download/upload speeds. When I have done speed tests on 2.4GHz I do find my download speeds are significantly slower. Also, my average monthly usage is typically 400 GB which is why unlimited data is important for me.

Starlink is a game changer and I believe it will only continue to getter better...

 

[Neal]

So it seems from the reports above Starlink doesn't know your location accurately. Odd! So in my statement about the hurricane scenario I'm guessing then Starlink is just using registered addresses which makes sense. If you are a roam user and passing through and not active, would it all of the sudden work?

Problem though is as pointed out, you're doing the ole google of finding something "...near me" isn't going to work. In that case best to turn off Wi-Fi on your phone and let cellular do its thing. And in some cases I do that anyways when camping if my cellular is strong, no reason to be pulling bandwidth from RV sources. 5G, 5GU/W, etc. may even be better sources for cellular devices.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

So it seems from the reports above Starlink doesn't know your location accurately. Odd! So in my statement about the hurricane scenario I'm guessing then Starlink is just using registered addresses which makes sense. If you are a roam user and passing through and not active, would it all of the sudden work?

Problem though is as pointed out, you're doing the ole google of finding something "...near me" isn't going to work. In that case best to turn off Wi-Fi on your phone and let cellular do its thing. And in some cases I do that anyways when camping if my cellular is strong, no reason to be pulling bandwidth from RV sources. 5G, 5GU/W, etc. may even be better sources for cellular devices.

I have a friend that moved his starlink about 1/4 mile from registered address and they shut it off with a message service was not portable. I think they serve as a VPN. But that's my opinion.

 

[Neal]

I think they serve as a VPN. But that's my opinion.

That makes the most sense.

 

[No Plan]

My registered Starlink address is in Denver, CO. I travel all over numerous Western states during the Summer months and I rarely check my location, but when I have it has never shown my Starlink registered address. When I was in Northeastern Idaho last Summer it showed me located in Utah.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Starlink shows whatever POP is receiving your signal. As we traveled the US this year Starlink would show the various POPs across the country. The POP is sometimes not vo located with the receiving station but where the signal enters the ground based WEB, is my understanding.

Let’s consult GROK 2

Your location with Starlink changes as you move around the country primarily because Starlink uses a network of satellites to provide internet service, which can adapt to your physical location in real-time. Here's how it works:

- **Satellite Coverage:** Starlink's satellites are designed to cover vast areas, including remote locations across the globe. As you travel, your Starlink terminal (or dish) connects to different satellites overhead, which can change based on your position.

- **Geolocation and IP Address:** When you move with Starlink, your IP address might change because Starlink dynamically assigns IP addresses based on the nearest point of presence (POP) or gateway that your signal is routed through. This can sometimes result in your online location appearing different from your physical location, especially if the nearest POP is in a different region or state.

- **Service Address vs. Actual Location:** For standard residential plans, Starlink service is tied to your registered service address. However, with services like Starlink Roam or Mobility features (which come with an additional fee), you can temporarily move your service to different locations within the same continent. This allows the service to adapt to your new location without needing to update your service address constantly.

- **Portability Feature:** Starlink offers a portability add-on for users who frequently move. This feature allows you to take your Starlink service with you, within the coverage area of the same continent, providing a "best effort" service level which might not be as prioritized as at your registered address during peak usage times.

- **Regulatory and Technical Considerations:** When moving to a new area, especially across countries, you might face limitations due to regulatory permissions or coverage availability. Starlink's service in different countries can be subject to local laws and might require a change in your service plan or a new account setup if moving internationally.

Based on web information, Starlink has features and plans like Roam and Mobility that are designed for users on the move, allowing for changes in service location within certain guidelines and additional costs. However, performance can vary, and you might experience degraded service if moving far from your registered address due to network prioritization. If you're frequently traveling, Starlink Roam or similar plans might be more suitable than trying to update your service address each time you move.