Plans

Starlink Maritime plans 2026 and what drives the price

Updated 7 September 2026

Which antenna you need, which plans exist and what makes up the quote. No published rates: the three figures, in writing.

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Hardware options

Choosing the Right Starlink Antenna

SpaceX offers two hardware options relevant to marine use. Only one is rated for permanent exterior installation at sea.

Dimensions29.8 × 26.2 cm

Power draw20–40 W

Marine exterior ratedNo

Typical speeds50–100 Mbps

Best forMarina use, supplementary device

The Mini is a portable consumer terminal. Not designed for permanent exterior marine mounting or offshore conditions. Not recommended as a primary marine connectivity system.

Weight5.9 kg without cable (8.1 kg with the 25 m cable)

Power draw110–150 W in use, 45 W idle

Marine exterior ratedYes — IP56

Wind rating280 km/h+ (≈ 150 kn)

Reference speeds50–220 Mbps

Latency25–60 ms

Best forSailboats, yachts, superyachts, offshore use

The antenna the operator recommends for permanent exterior marine installation (operator's sheet, September 2026). Handles salt spray, vibration and continuous outdoor exposure. Standard choice for any vessel operating beyond coastal waters.

Data plans

Maritime plan families in 2026

The operator's catalogue changed on 27 August 2026: what decides the bill is the plan family, not the commercial name. Exact names and terms come in the proposal.

Family	Who it's for	Where it covers	Offshore	Pause
Personal plans (Roam; Personal Maritime since 27/08/2026, non-commercial vessels under 40 ft)	Small, privately used boats	Territorial waters (up to 12 nm) and land	Billed per GB ("Ocean Mode"), price rise announced for 27/09/2026	Per the operator's terms
Priority plans, regional or global	Yachts, charter, superyachts and vessels that cross oceans	Regional (one zone) or global	Included within the plan's scope	In whole months, with an annual allowance, through MaritLink

Names and terms are the operator's, as of September 2026; they change without notice and we don't publish rates — the exact ones go in the proposal.

Cost comparison

Starlink Maritime vs VSAT vs Iridium

How the total cost of ownership compares across the three main marine satellite options.

Criterion	Starlink Maritime	VSAT (Ku/Ka band)	Iridium GO!
Hardware size	Compact (59 × 38 cm flat)	Large dome (60–90 cm)	Very compact
Hardware cost	Medium	High to very high	Low to medium
Installation	1–2 days	2–5 days, structural work	Simple, self-install
Download speeds	50–220 Mbps	5–50 Mbps	0.022 Mbps (voice/basic data only)
Latency	25–60 ms	600–800 ms	1,500–2,000 ms
Long-term contract	Not required	12–24 months typical	Variable
Monthly pause	✓ Yes	Rarely available	Depends on provider
Ocean coverage	Global (LEO)	Global (GEO)	Global (Iridium LEO)
Best use case	Yachts 10–60 m, bluewater sailing	Megayachts >60 m, very high bandwidth	Emergency backup, voice only

Professional installation

What an Installation Coordinated by MaritLink Includes

Installation cost depends on vessel size, complexity and cable route. Every installation includes the following as standard. For a detailed breakdown of mounting positions and the installation process by vessel type, see our complete Starlink installation guide for yachts.

Pre-installation survey

Onboard inspection to assess deck structure, identify the optimal antenna position and plan the cable route before any work begins.

Marine-grade mounting

Antenna mounting with marine stainless steel hardware. Concealment options available: composite cover, painted to match, T-top integration or mast installation.

Full cable integration

Cable run through the vessel structure — no exposed cables on deck. Sealed marine deck penetrations that maintain structural watertightness.

Network configuration

Router installation, onboard network setup and — for vessels requiring it — segmentation of guest, crew and navigation networks.

Signal verification

Final speed test across all configured devices and zones. We do not close out an installation until performance is confirmed.

Installation documentation

Photographic record of the complete installation for warranty and future maintenance reference.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Starlink Maritime Mini and the Flat High Performance?

The Flat High Performance is the antenna the operator recommends for permanent exterior marine use (operator's sheet, September 2026): 110–150 W in use, IP56 and wind rating of 280 km/h+. The Mini is a compact portable terminal intended for use in port or as a backup and is not recommended as a primary system for offshore or bluewater passages. For any yacht or sailing vessel operating beyond coastal waters, the Flat High Performance is the appropriate choice.

Can I pause my Starlink Maritime plan during winter lay-up?

Yes, in whole months (2026 terms). On recurring plans the service is paused over the low season against an annual allowance of paused days: a boat that sails from May to October pays 6 of the 12 monthly fees. You ask MaritLink; it shows on the next invoice, and account, plan and configuration stay intact.

Do I need a global plan for an Atlantic crossing?

Yes. For ocean passages and multi-ocean navigation you need a global plan, not a regional or a personal one (Roam or Personal Maritime, built for territorial waters). If your vessel is used exclusively in the Mediterranean or a single regional sea, a regional priority plan is sufficient and more cost-effective. Exact names are the operator's (catalogue revised 27 August 2026); MaritLink advises on the most appropriate plan for each vessel's navigation profile.

How does Starlink Maritime compare in cost to VSAT?

Starlink Maritime offers a significantly lower entry cost in hardware and installation, with no mandatory multi-year contracts and a pause in whole months option not available with most VSAT providers. VSAT systems typically require a larger dome antenna with a significantly higher purchase price, more complex installation and long-term service contracts. For yachts and sailing vessels under approximately 40 metres, Starlink Maritime typically delivers better speeds at lower total cost of ownership.

What does an installation coordinated by MaritLink include?

An installation coordinated by MaritLink and carried out by the certified integrator includes: pre-installation survey and position assessment, antenna mounting with marine-grade stainless steel hardware, full cable run through the vessel structure (no exposed cables on deck), sealed deck penetrations, router connection and network configuration, and a final signal test and speed verification. For vessels requiring network segmentation (guest, crew, navigation networks), this is configured at no extra cost.