Internet Access at Sea

In Multihulls World #190, we published an article in this section entitled “Starlink Internet Service Provider, revolution or disappointment?” That was a year and a half ago - an eternity in the technology field! Radio had already broken the silence, then came satellite telephony, which made it possible to receive weather forecasts and send emergency calls. Today, you can stream a movie from the saloon of your multihull in the middle of the ocean. High-speed Internet access is now a reality, and even more so since the introduction of the Starlink offer. It’s a significant technological advance, easy to install and, until now, quite affordable. And it’s a revolution that has swept the world of ocean cruising: just to give you an idea, at the start of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers 2022 in Las Palmas, one sailboat was equipped with Starlink. By 2023, 80% of the fleet was equipped and at the start of the latest edition, according to our editor-in-chief’s countdown, the equipment rate had reached 90%! Rarely has a piece of equipment found its place so quickly on board. But the picture is still not quite perfect. This accessibility and the benefits associated with this technology have created a kind of dependency that the American giant, in a virtual monopoly situation, has (skillfully) managed to exploit. The 2025 Starlink tariffs and conditions of use do indeed bring their share of disappointments. So where do we really stand today, how do we get started for those preparing to set off, and finally, are there any alternative solutions?

About Starlink

Starlink is an operator that relies on its network of satellites - they are operated by Starlink Services LLC, a 100% subsidiary of the American aerospace company SpaceX. Starlink’s aim is to offer Internet access worldwide. The service is now available in over 100 countries and on most oceans.
Deployment of the satellites began in 2019, and as we have seen, the network now includes more than 7,000 small satellites in low Earth orbit. Eventually, the network is expected to reach 12,000 satellites. Each satellite communicates with land-based transceivers. The commercial offer, meanwhile, began in 2021 and continues to evolve in line with demand, with several antennas and packages available.

The Hardware You Need

While the Starlink system has made a name for itself thanks to its performance, worthy of an excellent terrestrial Wi-Fi system - we’ll go into more detail on upload/download speeds later - the simplicity and reliability of the components have also played an important role in convincing users, as have the application and customer service. For simplicity’s sake, the prices quoted are those in the USA; we have occasionally indicated other prices, but beware, they are particularly volatile...

A Starlink Antenna

There are several kinds of Starlink antenna on the market, from the Mini, that can be carried in a backpack, to the dedicated business solution. Products evolve and are ...