SpaceX makes Starlink Roam available throughout the US

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"Stay connected on the go, no matter how remote."

a small white rectangle on a black tripod rests on the ground
A Starlink Roam receiver. (Image credit: SpaceX)

Your internet connection today is brought to you by space.

No, that's not an ad from a science fiction movie; it's the reality now thanks to SpaceX's ever-growing constellation of Starlink satellites.

In June, SpaceX introduced its new version of its satellite internet antenna, providing users the option to have an on the go service that's the perfect size to throw in your backpack. Now, Starlink Roam is available anywhere across the United States, connecting customers in even the most remote locations with high-speed internet that can be accessed from almost anywhere in the world. 

The Starlink Roam kit is now available coast to coast giving users internet access without needing a residential subscription. The kit is waterproof and includes a dish, Wi-Fi router, and DC power source. Maximum download speeds could exceed 100 mbps, SpaceX says. 

The service, which will be a game-changer for those who live in or travel to remote locations, is an investment to start at the cost of $599. But then, for a fixed payment every month, users can have the opportunity to connect, simply put by SpaceX, in two easy steps — "plug it in" and "point at sky". 

For the adventure seeker on-the-go across North America, the Mobile Regional option gives users unlimited inland mobile data for $150 a month. If you'd prefer a set mobile data cap at 50GB, the monthly cost drops to $50 for inland access across the continent. 

RELATED STORIES:

 —  SpaceX unveils new Starlink Mini antenna for internet users on the go

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— Starlink satellites: Facts, tracking and impact on astronomy

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk shared the announcement on his X social media platform last month, posting that this technology "will change the world." New users can get connected through the Starlink app to learn more about what the best location would be for installation and explore more about the service on either Android or iOS devices.

SpaceX's Starlink network has steadily expanded since the first satellites launched in 2019. There are now more than 6,000 operational Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit, connecting more than three million customers across 100 countries to the company's satellite internet service.  

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.

Meredith Garofalo
Meredith Garofalo
Contributing Writer

Meredith is a regional Murrow award-winning Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and science/space correspondent. She most recently was a Freelance Meteorologist for NY 1 in New York City & the 19 First Alert Weather Team in Cleveland. A self-described "Rocket Girl," Meredith's personal and professional work has drawn recognition over the last decade, including the inaugural Valparaiso University Alumni Association First Decade Achievement Award, two special reports in News 12's Climate Special "Saving Our Shores" that won a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, multiple Fair Media Council Folio & Press Club of Long Island awards for meteorology & reporting, and a Long Island Business News & NYC TV Week "40 Under 40" Award.

6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • CookieRojas
    Plug it in - there are half a dozen steps involved. Most roaming applications require a DC power source, which is feasible just via unsupported, third-party pieces of dubious quality. I'd like to say more, but the bot that polices comment content disallows do to some narrow irrelevant criteria. AI: another technology loosed from Pandora's box without concern for public interest.
    Reply
  • ChrisA
    The article says "Put it in your backpack" but does not say if the device is battery-powered or if it requires access to AC mains power (wall socket).

    Also, we see that SpaceX is developing a "direct to cell phone" service as they keep launching these experimental "direct to cell" satellites. We don't know the price of bandwidth of this direct-to-cell service but if it works, it would quickly make this mini-terminal obsolete.

    I do a lot of hiking and backpacking in areas where there is no cell service. I would be nice to have direct-to-cell service even if it only allowed one text message per hour. A full Internet connection in such a location would be pointless because if there is not service, there is also no way to charge the phone, so I usually only have the phone turned on a few minutes a day.
    Reply
  • Classical Motion
    We have light weight fold-able solar panels now. Can be draped from a rope. Even roll-able films. If only we had a light weight battery. Maybe these new metal foams might work out. Even better if it was fold-able. Like a thin foam ground mattress. A battery mattress.

    Let’s put that on the list.
    Reply
  • ChrisA
    Classical Motion said:
    We have light weight fold-able solar panels now. Can be draped from a rope. Even roll-able films. If only we had a light weight battery. Maybe these new metal foams might work out. Even better if it was fold-able. Like a thin foam ground mattress. A battery mattress.

    Let’s put that on the list.
    We can't talk about using solar pannels for this terminal until we know its power requirements. Same for batteries, we don't know what is required.

    Certainly, it could be solar powered but what if it turns out you need 4 square meters of panels, even if ultra-this and flexible, they would never fit in a backpack. The point is that we just do not know what is required.
    Reply
  • Classical Motion
    How much room does an emergency survival film blanket take. Or two?
    Reply
  • Miles777
    ChrisA said:
    We can't talk about using solar pannels for this terminal until we know its power requirements. Same for batteries, we don't know what is required.

    Certainly, it could be solar powered but what if it turns out you need 4 square meters of panels, even if ultra-this and flexible, they would never fit in a backpack. The point is that we just do not know what is required.
    A very modest amount of internet searching would reveal the answers about the SpaceX Mini power requirements, although I agree that the article would have been better if it had included such details.
    Reply