The Best Starlink NZ Plans - Your Guide to Starlink Satellite Internet
Starlink has provided high-speed, low-latency broadband internet across New Zealand since March 2021.
Unlike traditional broadband providers, Starlink operates on Starlink satellites connecting you to the internet through outer space! This means you don't need to worry about fibres and infrastructure for internet coverage.
Starlinks satellites can deliver a strong internet connection not just in the city but also in remote areas with limited internet access.
If you’re considering switching to Starlink NZ, use our broadband comparison tool to check out the latest internet deals!
Starlink Internet NZ: Plans, Monthly Costs, and Speeds
| Price | Download/ Upload speeds | Data cap | |
| Residential customers | $159 per month | 100/ 15 Mbps | Unlimited |
| Business customers | $426 per month | 220/ 25 Mbps | 1TB (1000GB) for priority data; Unlimited for standard data |
| RV customers | $199 per month | 50/ 10 Mbps | 50GB for priority data; Unlimited for standard data |
What Is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite constellation operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX company. It's a series of advanced satellites launched into outer space to deliver high-speed, low-cost internet to remote areas worldwide.
There are currently about 1,700 Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit, and Elon Musk plans to reach 42,000. Some of these satellites provide free internet access to remote villages needing support.
The company hopes to provide global coverage of high-speed, low-latency broadband internet with more satellites over the next few years.
How Starlink Satellites Work - Getting Internet from Space
Starlink satellites orbit the Earth's atmosphere at an altitude of about 550km. These satellites have powerful antennas that receive an internet signal from ground stations and Starlink terminals scattered across the globe.
The satellites then relay the internet signal to a satellite dish connected to your WiFi router at home. So that's how you figuratively get an internet connection from outer space.
Most satellite internet providers use single geostationary satellites that orbit the Earth at around 35,000 km altitude. Starlink satellites, being in low Earth orbit, are much closer, which is why Starlink broadband has much lower latency than other satellite providers.
Starlink Internet Plans NZ
Currently, there's only one residential New Zealand Starlink internet plan with different pricing and internet speeds based on your location.
Most satellite internet services don't specify their exact speeds. However, users have been testing Starlink satellites for a while since it's one of the top broadband providers in NZ. There's a general consensus you can expect download speeds of about 100-300Mbps (usually around 20o Mbps) by Starlink.
The upload speeds are slightly lower, ranging from 10-50 Mbps. You can use our broadband speed test to check your internet speed.
Starlink internet service gives you unlimited data usage and is typically faster than VDSL, 4G broadband, or basic fibre. However, they're a bit more expensive when you compare the total setup, shipping, and monthly fees.
They offer a 30-day, no-contract trial period so you can test out the services yourself. No-contract broadband plans allow you to cancel anytime without paying a hefty early exit fee, which is a bonus.
Starlink also has a handy mobile app for iOS and Android that lets you customize your WiFi router settings, receive updates, and see real-time performance data for your internet.
Features of the Starlink Internet Plan NZ
Starlink internet plan might not be among the cheapest broadband plans in NZ, but it comes with benefits that justify the price:
• No data cap (unlimited)
• Low-latency satellite broadband (varies from 20-40ms)
• Download speeds of 100-300 Mbps (usually around 20o Mbps)
• Upload speeds of 10-50 Mbps
• 30-day, no-contract trial period
• Excellent coverage, especially in rural areas
• Perfect for streaming, video calls, online gaming, and more
• Starlink app lets you track download/upload speeds and latency
• You receive an easy-to-install, ready-to-connect Starlink Kit
What’s Included in a Starlink Kit?
Once you’re approved for connection, Starlink will send you a kit with all equipment you need to connect to the internet.
The Starlink broadband kit includes the following:
• Starlink satellite dish
• WiFi router
• Power supply
• Mounting tripod (designed for ground-level installation, and you can use it when testing your connection)
• Some cables
The Starlink satellite dish is highly durable, can resist extreme weather conditions, and can even melt snow. You're almost guaranteed a reliable internet connection as long as you have a clear view of the sky to connect to Starlink satellites.
Pricing for switching to Starlink Internet NZ
If you decide to switch to Starlink satellites, you'll need to pay a one-time fee for the hardware and shipping, followed by a monthly fee like any internet provider. Here's the breakdown of expenses:
• Hardware: A Standard Starlink kit costs from NZ $199 to $749, depending on your location. If you live in a rural area, you'll likely get up to a 70% discount and only have to pay around NZ $199.
• Shipping and Handling: Variable depending on your location but in most cases, you'll pay around NZ $34
• Monthly Fees: NZ $159.oo/month for the Standard Starlink Kit
• Optional Accessories: You can get a short wall mount for NZ $105 and an Ethernet adapter for NZ $65 if you need them
It can take up to two weeks to receive your Starlink hardware. It’s on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you pre-order early, you might get Starlink sooner.
Regarding billing, Starlink usually sends your first invoice 14 days after shipment and then automatically bills you seven days later.
Starlinks also offers three internet plans for business owners, but they're much too expensive for residential purposes. These Business Plans include Priority 1TB, 2TB, and 6TB Kits, which cost from NZ $426/month to NZ $2,507/month. They also come with a hefty hardware price of around NZ $4000!
Is SpaceX Starlink Broadband Right for You?
Starlink is one of the best satellite broadband providers in NZ. Whether it's right for you depends on where you live and the available broadband infrastructure in your area.
If you already have access to fibre infrastructure, sticking to fibre broadband plans is much easier and less expensive.
Some hyper-fibre broadband plans have speeds up to 8,000 Mbps, which is much higher than Starlink's, yet costs around the same as Starlink's monthly plan.
You can use Glimp's free fibre checker tool to see if you can get fibre.
If fibre is unavailable in your area, you can try rural broadband plans or use our broadband comparison tool to find the best plan for you.
SpaceX Starlink Internet NZ FAQs
All you have to do is visit Starlink.com and enter your address to confirm whether or not your area is covered. If it is, you can order your broadband kit, and it'll be shipped within two weeks.
If your area is not covered, you'll be prompted to pay an optional deposit fee and they'll notify you once satellite internet is available in your area.
Starlink is highly reliable because it provides high-speed, low-latency internet from thousands of low-orbit satellites. This large number of Starlink satellites provides coverage and automatic switching between satellites to make sure your connection remains uninterrupted.
You can use Glimp's internet outage checker to find out if your connection has a problem.
The Starlink dish is easy to set up, and you won't need a technician. First, attach the dish to its mounting bracket and place it outside with an open view of the sky.
Next, plug one end of the cable into the dish and the other into your WiFi router.
Finally, connect the WiFi router to a power source, and you're good to go!
Absolutely. Satellite broadband providers offer speeds of around 25 to 300 Mbps.
These might not be as fast as fibre connections, but they're still very fast, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Absolutely. Starlink's fast, low-latency broadband connection is perfect for online gaming.
Performance might vary according to the number of online players and other factors, but it's generally reliable for most games and gaming platforms.
Starlink's current broadband plans are unlimited with no data cap in NZ.
However, the company has issued a fair use policy of 1TB in certain countries, so it's possible for NZ in the future.
Starlink internet plans NZ cost anywhere between $159 to $426 per month. Before getting connected to Starlink, you have to pay for the hardware kit upfront.
A standard hardware kit, costing $729, is ideal for residential users. Meanwhile, a high-performance hardware kit, costing $4,200, is best for business and enterprise use.
Starlink officially launched in New Zealand in March 2021. If you want to get a Starlink internet plan for your household or business, get the best prices when you use glimp’s comparison tool.
