Starlink internet is coming to the Solomon Islands

Starlink internet is coming to the Solomon Islands
Photo by ANIRUDH / Unsplash
In an earlier post, I have written about how Starlink internet could provide better and improved internet services in the Solomon Islands.

A couple of years later and Starlink is coming to the Solomon Islands, as early as Q2 of 2023.

The Solomon Islands is set to experience a significant boost in internet connectivity with the introduction of Starlink internet service. This groundbreaking satellite internet system promises to improve internet access around the globe by providing reliable, high-speed internet to people, businesses, and the global economy.

What is Starlink Internet?

For starters, Starlink is a satellite-based internet system developed by SpaceX, a company founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The system involves the deployment of thousands of small satellites in low Earth orbit to provide internet access to remote and under-served areas across the globe.

Starlink’s technology is different from traditional internet service providers (ISPs) in that it uses a network of satellites to beam internet signals directly to a user’s home or office. This eliminates the need for cables or phone lines and makes it possible to provide high-speed internet access to even the most remote locations.

So one could ask, why is this no different to satellite ISPs like Kacific and O3B? The difference lies in where the satellites are located (orbiting) above the Earth. Starlink satellites orbit a few hundred kilometres whilst the others have theirs orbit a few thousand kilometres above the Earth. Thus, Starlink satellites tend to relay internet signals faster than the others due to the relatively short distance a beam of signal traverses.

How Starlink will Improve Connectivity to the Internet in the Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands has long struggled with poor internet connectivity, with many areas lacking any internet access at all. This lack of reliable internet has had a significant impact on the people, businesses, and economy of the country, limiting growth and development opportunities.

With the introduction of the Starlink service, the Solomon Islands is set to experience a significant boost in internet connectivity. Starlink internet will be able to provide high-speed internet access to even the most remote areas of the country, overcoming the challenges of traditional ISPs that have struggled to provide reliable service to these areas.

Why Starlink is a Better Internet Option than the Expensive Internet Service Providers in the Country

One of the biggest challenges facing the Solomon Islands is the high cost of internet access. Traditional ISPs have struggled to provide reliable service, often charging exorbitant prices for internet access that is often slow and unreliable.

In contrast, Starlink’s internet service is set to provide a more affordable, reliable, and faster internet option to people and businesses in the Solomon Islands. With its satellite-based technology, Starlink is not limited by geographical barriers, and its pricing is competitive compared to traditional ISPs.

It will be interesting to see how this is going to disrupt the local bandwidth pricing. However, take it with a grain of salt that Starlink is not cheap, but when compared to the high bandwidth promised by the satellite constellation, the price/Mbps should be cheaper than those of the traditional ISP.

In some cases, you already have a good internet bandwidth from your local ISP, but you still use very old network switches or access points at your premise. Whilst waiting for Starlink, what you can do is upgrade your in-house WiFi with the Ubiquiti UniFi Wi-Fi 6 Lite, which is a Wireless Access Point with Dual-Band AP 2 x 2 MIMO. Improving your in-house network devices can help improve your internet bandwidth as well.

How Anyone in the Solomon Islands Can Order and Buy the Starlink Service

To apply for the Starlink internet service in the Solomon Islands, interested parties can visit the Starlink website and submit an order. There will be a USD$99 deposit charge to pay. As soon as the service is available over the Solomon Islands, customers will pay the remaining cost of the terminal and the recurring monthly internet charge. Next, they will receive a Starlink kit that includes a satellite dish, modem, and other necessary equipment.

Setting up the Starlink internet kit is simple and can be done with the help of an installation manual provided by Starlink in the form of a mobile app. The kit can be set up at a user’s home or office, and once connected, provides high-speed internet access.

Better said than done, because the right tools will make any network installations easier. Even installing the Starlink internet equipment may require basic network tools, especially to test out if the network installations are done correctly – the reason why I recommend the 18 in 1 Network Repair Tools as a handy kit to have for all network installation and troubleshooting tasks.

Conclusion

The introduction of Starlink internet service in the Solomon Islands is set to provide a significant boost in internet connectivity, helping to drive growth and development in the country. With its satellite-based technology, Starlink is well-positioned to provide reliable and affordable internet service to even the most remote areas of the country. We encourage interested parties in the Solomon Islands to place your order for the Starlink internet service to enjoy the fast and reliable internet access that is promised.


Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I have used or that I believe will be helpful to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

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