Starlink is now available in the Philippines. The satellite internet service aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet to areas with limited or no connectivity, such as rural and remote regions.
If you're planning to avail of Starlink internet service, well, you're in the right place. Here's everything you need to know about the Starlink internet service, its plans, price, where to buy, and how to avail.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) created by Elon Musk as part of its aerospace company, SpaceX. Their aim is to provide Internet connectivity to unserved/underserved areas and as a backup to the existing infrastructure.
It uses Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, and the advantage is that this service can provide much faster speeds than other traditional satellite internet providers. Web browsing, streaming, voice/video calls, and online gaming can now be done over Starlink.
As it is a wireless/satellite infrastructure, internet connectivity may sometimes be unstable compared to wired/fiber connectivity. If you have wired connectivity in your area, use that instead of Starlink unless the infrastructure you already have is much worse.
How much is Starlink in the Philippines?
Starlink requires you to purchase a Starlink kit (which includes the satellite dish and router). Here are the prices for each plan. Listed prices are VAT-inclusive and include shipping, taxes, and customs fees. The shipping fee is PHP 1,220. Note that this is a one-time purchase.
- Residential (standard kit) - PHP 28,000
- Refurbished hardware - PHP 14,000 (50% off, available for a limited time)
- Roam (standard kit) - PHP 28,000
- Mobility (flat high performance) - PHP 153,942
- Maritime (flat high performance) - PHP 153,942
These are the Starlink plans available for Residential/Consumer:
- Starlink Residential (Standard Plan) – PHP 2,700 per month
- Fixed on one location.
- Unlimited "Standard" Data (Up to 100 Mbps download speed, Up to 10 Mbps upload speed)
- Starlink Roam (Mobile - Regional Plan) – PHP 3,300 per month
- Use at any location on land in your continent.
- Unlimited "Mobile" Data (Up to 50 Mbps download speed, Up to 10 Mbps upload speed) on land.
- Ideal for customers travelling to locations where connectivity has been unreliable or completely unavailable.
- Allows users to pause and un-pause service based on their individual travel needs.
- Starlink Roam (Mobile - Global Plan) – PHP 12,200 per month
- Use globally, land coverage only.
- Unlimited "Mobile" Data (Up to 50 Mbps download speed, Up to 10 Mbps upload speed) on land.
- Designed for portable use at any destination where Starlink has active coverage.
- A global roaming option for customers traveling to locations where connectivity has been unreliable or completely unavailable.
- Allows users to pause and un-pause service, billed in one-time increments
- Starlink Roam (Mobile - Priority 50GB) – PHP 15,394 per month / (Mobile - Priority 1TB) – PHP 61,576 per month / (Mobile - Priority 5TB) – PHP 307,885 per month
- Use globally, 50GB/1TB/5TB for sea coverage, and unli data for land coverage.
- 50GB/1TB/5TB "Mobile Priority" Data on the sea (Up to 220 Mbps download speed, Up to 25 Mbps upload speed)
- Unlimited "Mobile" Data on land and land-based water features like rivers and lakes (Up to 50 Mbps download speed, Up to 10 Mbps download speed)
- You can pause and un-pause service at any time, billed in one-month increments.
An additional option is available once you have your kit activated:
- Standard Priority 1TB (aka Business Plan 1TB) – PHP 12,992 per month / Priority 2TB – PHP 25,872 per month / Priority 6TB – PHP 77,392 per month
- High-speed, priority service for businesses and other high-demand users at one location. It also includes public IP and priority support.
- 1TB/2TB/6TB "Priority" Data (Up to 220 Mbps download speed, Up to 25 Mbps upload speed)
- After using "Priority" data, continue receiving unlimited "Standard" data. Or purchase additional "Priority" data (PHP 27.78 per GB).
Notes:
- You can change plans at any time, and you will be charged a fee (depending on the option you choose).
- Previously, for Residential Plans, you could add the Portability option (you can bring equipment outside your residence) for an additional PHP 600 per month. This was removed as of April 28, 2023. However, if you are an existing Portability user, this is not disabled. But if you remove the portability option, you won't be able to avail yourself of it again.
Also read:
What's included in the Starlink kit?
It includes Starlink (the satellite dish), a WiFi router, a power supply, cables, and a base.
Where can I buy Starlink in the Philippines?
You can avail of Starlink residential kit in the Philippines through these official channels:
- Official Starlink website: https://www.starlink.com
- Silicon Valley via Lazada: https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/silicon-valley
- Silicon Valley website: https://www.siliconvalley.com.ph/starlink
- Silicon Valley stores nationwide
Note that Silicon Valley is Data Lake's official fulfillment partner for residential kits.
How can I pay?
- You can pay your Starlink kit and monthly fee via Credit and Debit Cards. It must be either a Visa/Mastercard/American Express card.
- You cannot use debit cards that are local only (i.e., Bancnet only, no Visa/Mastercard/AMEX logo).
- No Credit Card? You can easily open a digital bank account and get a Debit Visa/Mastercard card. Options include Maya, GCash, Tonik Digital Bank, GoTyme, CIMB, and Uno Bank. You may opt to use your existing banks; just remember to enable Internet/Online payment so that there will be no issues during payment.
- Take note that sometimes, if Starlink uses their international payment provider and not a local payment processor like PayMongo, additional bank fees may apply. Add additional credits (around 2% of the total kit price + shipping).
What's the difference between the new plans (Standard / Standard Priority / Mobile / Mobile Priority)
- Standard Plan (aka Residential): Standard service for residential customers at one location. Speeds between 25-100 Mbps during peak hours.
- Standard Priority 1TB (aka Business Plan 1TB): High-speed, priority service for businesses and other high-demand users at one location. Includes public IP and priority support. After using Priority data, continue receiving unlimited Standard data. Speeds between 40-220 Mbps.
- Mobile - Regional (aka Roam - Regional Plan): Use Starlink at any location on land in your continent with the best-effort service. Pause and un-pause at any time. All services will be best-effort and are not permitted for use on the ocean. Speeds between 5-50 Mbps.
- Mobile Priority - 50GB (aka Roam - Global with 50GB Sea Use): Use Starlink on the ocean or land across the globe with network priority and faster speeds. In motion use supported with approved hardware; see Starlink Specifications. After using Mobile Priority data, continue receiving unlimited Mobile data on land anywhere Starlink has service globally. By switching to the mobile plan, you may not be able to change back to a fixed plan at your address. Use on the ocean or in motion is dependent on the country's authorization. Speeds between 40-220 Mbps.
Does Starlink have data capping/throttling?
- As of this writing, there is no data cap for Starlink plans in the Philippines. However, there are service levels.
- For Standard Plans, it is unlimited data, with download speeds between 25-100 Mbps. However, "if bandwidth patterns consistently exceed what is allocated to a typical residential user, Starlink may take network management measures, such as temporarily reducing a customer's speeds, to prevent or mitigate congestion of the Services."
- You can opt for Priority Data (1TB) for Standard - Priority plans. It has up to 220 Mbps download speed with lower latency, up to 1TB. Once exhausted, you will be on the Standard Plan, which is unlimited. This is also known as Business Plan 1TB.
- Mobility - Regional & Global (without priority data allocation) - unlimited download up to 50 Mbps during peak hours.
- For Maritime Plans (50GB/1TB/5TB) / Mobile Priority 50GB - Offer up to 220 Mbps download speeds, with Sea and Priority speeds. Once priority data is exhausted/used, no service will be provided while at sea, but unlimited use while on land (basically Mobile - Global / Global Roam).
- For full details, here's the link for the Starlink Fair Use Policy (FUP) Document for the Philippines: https://www.starlink.com/legal/documents/DOC-1206-39789-81?regionCode=PH.
Is there any contract required?
Starlink has no contract or lockup period. However, due to the nature of no contracts, Starlink can unilaterally change their fees, whatever they want. Just like what happened to the US as depending on their area, prices increase or decrease depending on overcapacity in their area.
What speeds can you get in Starlink? How many Mbps?
- Fixed Standard (aka Residential Standard) - 25-100 Mbps download speed, 5-10 Mbps upload speed
- Fixed Priority 1TB (aka Residential Priority 1TB / Business Plan 1TB) - 40-220 Mbps download speed / 8-25 Mbps upload speed within the allocated priority data. Speeds will go back to Residential Standard once exhausted.
- Mobility - Mobile (aka Roam) - 5-50 Mbps download speed, 2-10 Mbps upload speed
- Mobility - Mobile Priority (aka Roam w/ 50GB priority data) - 40-220 Mbps download speed / 8-25 Mbps upload speed within the allocated priority data. Speeds will go back to Mobility Mobile once exhausted.
- For more details, such as the latency (ping) of each plan, visit https://www.starlink.com/legal/documents/DOC-1400-28829-70.
Can I buy accessories for my kit?
You can buy accessories at https://shop.starlink.com after buying the main kit.
Is there any LAN port on the router?
There is no LAN port. You need to buy the Ethernet Adapter kit (PHP 3,200) at the Starlink Shop site.
How long can you get the kit after ordering?
Usually, the delivery time will take 2 to 4 weeks due to order backlogs and customs/NTC permits.
See also:
Do you have any feedback regarding Starlink? You can leave your comment below.
Credits: Christopher Quijano of Starlink PhilGroup FB Group
*This article was updated for 2024 to reflect the latest info made available.
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