SpaceX is expanding the availability of its most powerful satellite dish for the Starlink satellite internet system beyond its current base of business customers. As you already know, the standard Starlink dish is $599. However, the new high-performance dish costs a whopping $2,500. Interestingly, both are now available for residential subscribers to order on Starlink. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about the new High Performance dish from Starlink.
What is the New High-Performance Dish by Starlink?
Now, New orders for Starlink Home can choose between the standard Starlink hardware (currently $599) and the High Performance Starlink (currently $2500) on the Starlink Residential order page.
New residential customers who opt for Starlink High Performance pay the same $110 per month, but get much more powerful equipment. Starlink claims its antenna capacity is more than double that of a regular dish.
In February 2022, Starlink first launched a premium service aimed at businesses: the Starlink High-Performance Dish. The High Performance dish is still $2500, but the new Business Service tier costs $500 per month.
The monthly cost for this High-Performance dish is significantly lower for residential users than it is for businesses. Still, residential customers are not assured of the same level of service as those on the more expensive Business Service.
Here’s the image from the official Starlink website.
What is the Difference Between Standard and High Performance Starlink Dish?
Starlink recommends the High-Performance dish is for power users who demand the best possible signal quality, speed, and functionality. Several key distinctions are as follows.
- Better performance even in rainy weather.
- Better performance in hot weather (>35 C, 95 F)
- The high-performance dish is rated IP56. Water-resistant and dustproof.
- 35% more field of view as claimed by Starlink.
Despite the larger size of the High Performance dish, the Standard Starlink mounts can still be used with the appropriate mast to accommodate it.
Further, the High-Performance Hardware bundle contains a router with an ethernet port. The High-Performance hardware works with all currently deployed Starlink Mesh Nodes as well.
Here’s what Starlink has to say about the differences:
Is it Worth Paying $2500 for High-Performance Starlink Dish?
Unfortunately, the High-Performance dish and Standard dish speeds for homes are not different at this time. If you want faster speeds, upgrading to the Business plan is a must. Simply put, the High-Performance dish is a more powerful antenna that can withstand adverse conditions and scan a wider area of the sky.
Even if you purchase the high-performance dish, you still might not see improved download times. No mention of any speed increases from purchasing the $2,500 hardware can be found anywhere on the Starlink website. Aside from that, you might still face issues like Starlink disconnected error.
The reason for this is likely due to the fact that the Starlink network is currently operating at or near capacity in many parts of the United States. Therefore, issues with congestion can reduce broadband speeds in areas saturated with Starlink users.
Some users who have access to a powerful Starlink dish have complained on Reddit that they haven’t noticed any significant performance improvements when compared to the more expensive equipment.
Even a Reddit user shared his views on this and said at this time, the $2500 premium high-performance dish is not worth it.
Is the High-Performance Dish Faster Than Standard?
Well, it should be faster, given the double antenna capacity. However, as we already mentioned, at this time, the speeds are the same because Starlink is still setting up its services.
Is Starlink High Performance Dish Available for RV Customers?
Similar to the residential customers, Starlink has also introduced a new Flat High Performance dish for RV customers. The new dish can be used while traveling, providing high-speed, low-latency connectivity regardless of where you happen to be. Starlink RV orders now have a second hardware choice in addition to the Standard dish: the Flat High-Performance dish.
Hardware for the Flat High-Performance model costs $2,500, while hardware for the Standard model costs only $599. No matter which hardware package you go with, Starlink RV will cost you $135 per month. Interestingly, the prices for both residential as well as RV customers are the same instead of the internet plan.
Who Should Purchase the High-Performance Dish?
No doubt the high-performance Starlink dish is a technology marvel but only for the future. At the time of writing, we did not see any significant improvement over the standard dish. So, if you live in a polar region or a place that is blocked by mountains, the premium high-performance dish might be a good fit for you.
On the other hand, if you live in a normal place, the standard dish has everything you would ask for. Practically, we will be able to answer this question in a better way after a few months of usage and user reviews. At this time, a lot of real-world experience, as well as Starlink’s services, are scarce. Before you go out purchasing, we recommend checking whether Starlink is available in your area.
The Bottom Line
Well, that’s all we have here about Starlink’s new high-performance dish. We hope this guide has helped you. If you are thinking about purchasing a high-performance dish, we recommend that you wait until it is the right time for the purchase. As of now, we don’t see that time coming until the end of 2024. If you still have any doubts, make sure to comment down below.
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