SpaceX’s Starlink has launched a new compact device called the Starlink Mini. It is about the size of a thick laptop and is designed to provide internet access to backpackers and digital nomads.
It integrates a Wi-Fi router directly inside the dish. The device uses less power than other Starlink terminals but can still deliver speeds over 100Mbps. Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, said the product will “change the world.” He noted that it takes less than five minutes to set up.
The Mini kit uses an average of just 20-40W of power. This means it can be powered for two to three hours with a 99.54Wh power bank. Smaller 10,000mAh (40Wh) portable batteries can power it for just over an hour.
It requires a USB-C PD power source with a minimum rating of 100W (20V/5A). The Mini dish measures 11.75 x 10.2 x 1.45 inches (298.5 x 259 x 38.5mm). It weighs 2.43 pounds (1.1kg), or 3.37 pounds (1.53kg), with a 49.2-foot (15m) DC power cable and kickstand.
It has an IP67 rating, which means it’s protected from dust and rain, including short periods of water immersion.
Internet access for digital nomads
In the US, Starlink Mini is currently an add-on to Residential plans.
The Mini kit costs $599, which is $100 more than the standard dish. Adding the Mini Roam service to existing $120 Residential plans will cost an extra $30 monthly. This add-on provides up to 50GB of mobile data each month.
Users can purchase more data for $1 per GB. Starlink Mini is already available in Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Panama. It can be purchased with Mini Service or Mobile — Regional Service plans.
These plans do not have data or speed caps, but in-motion and ocean use are prohibited. SpaceX plans to expand the service to more markets over time. In a statement, SpaceX said its goal is to reduce the price of Starlink, especially for those around the world where connectivity has been unaffordable or completely unavailable.
In regions with high usage, like the US, where Starlink Mini places additional demand on the satellite network, they initially offer a limited number of Starlink Mini Kits at a higher price point. As a standalone service, Starlink Mini could be transformative for anyone who needs inexpensive and sharable internet service that efficiently uses DC battery power. This includes families relying on solar generators for power, military squads in remote locations, or backpackers and overlanders exploring off the beaten path.
