SpaceX has modified its offers, notably renaming its "Regional Mobile" package to "Unlimited Roaming", with a price increase to ?72/month in France. Starlink's packages are no longer limited to a single region, and can now be used on the move, with downstream speeds of up to 170 Mbps. This change enables use on land as well as on inland waterways and coastal areas. A welcome flexibility, especially for regular users in marinas.
However, this improvement is not without its constraints. Boaters now lose access to priority data when on the move. This option is now reserved for the much more expensive "Mobile Priority" plan, starting at ?287/month, and requiring the Mobile High Performance antenna, currently priced at ?2,867 incl. VAT. This additional cost is an obstacle for smaller units wishing to remain connected on the high seas.
The new conditions of service also impose time and geographical restrictions. Boaters can use Starlink while roaming for a maximum of two consecutive months outside their subscription region, with the obligation to return to their home country to keep the service active. In addition, any attempt to use Starlink in a country not covered by the official card carries the risk of service disconnection, a particularly restrictive measure for sailors on international voyages.
The real blow concerns use on the high seas. From now on, standard packages no longer allow connection beyond coastal areas, up to 12 nautical miles from the coast, without using the Mobile Priority package, which is much more expensive and requires specific equipment. The Mobile High Performance antenna is not only expensive, it also consumes a lot of energy, with consumption ranging from 110 to 150W, making it less accessible for smaller units.
With Starlink dominating the global offshore connectivity market, boaters have few viable alternatives. This lack of competition allows SpaceX to make pricing and technical adjustments without constraint, leaving users with expensive or obsolete solutions to stay connected.
