About Starlink Vs. Inmarsat, Choices in life come in many forms, and just like business, we have to make one eventually.
Recent years have brought up numerous internet solutions, with satellite internet taking top shop.
Deciding between Starlink and Inmarsat is no easy job, and we’ve decided to help you see the benefits and drawbacks of both internet providers.
Table of Contents
- What is Inmarsat?
- Starlink Vs. Inmarsat: Comparison
- Satellites
- Intended Customer Base
- Product Comparison
- Starlink Vs. Inmarsat: Which One Is Better?
- Conclusion
What is Inmarsat?
Inmarsat is an internet service provider that offers global coverage.
The network uses a bunch of geostationary satellites to transmit wireless signals.
Since the satellites are stationary, you may not get coverage in all locations.
But Inmarsat aims to provide satellite-based services to corporate organizations such as the military, government agencies, maritime industries, individuals, and more.
Starlink Vs. Inmarsat: Comparison
One of the main differences between Inmarsat and Starlink is that Inmarsat uses stationary satellites while Starlink low-earth satellites are in constant constellations providing more coverage.
Frequency Range
Starlink has a significantly wider frequency range than Inmarsat, which is capped at 1626.5 MHz.
Since it lays more power in space, Inmarsat satellites may interfere with other radio signals, especially the Iridium satellite radio.
Use an 850-6500 MHz periodic antenna to get the best frequency.
Starlink, on the other hand, uses broad frequency ranges shown below:
- 29.5-30 GHz
- 27.5-29.1 GHz
- 19.7-20.2 GHz
- 18.8-19.3 GHz
- 17.8-18.6 GHz
- 13.85-14.5 GHz
- 12.75-13.25 GHz
- 0.7-12.7 GHz
Starlink must use frequencies between these bands as other ranges are licensed competitors.
The company encourages ultrawide antennas to cater to the broad frequency range.
SpaceX has an innovative technology to transmit data and uses laser beams instead of repeater nodes.
It is a cheaper alternative for the company, with faster connectivity and communication.
Space Satellites in the constellation
Latency
Latency is the distance between the receiver and orbiting satellite in space.
This distance determines how fast you can connect to the internet.
Latency has been a major consideration in new-era internet connectivity as the need for faster results is constantly growing.
Since Inmarsat entered the market before this shift, it has had low latency speeds of 900 ms.
Starlink’s latency is much lower than Inmarsat because of the low-earth orbiting satellites.
These satellites are less than 600 km from the earth’s surface and have a 20 – 40 ms latency.
Latency is crucial for online activities that require real-time responses, such as gaming and video conferencing.
When the ping is high, you’ll notice delays and lags.
Satellites
Satelite with beam signal
Satellites are the main point of contact for service providers.
Starlink’s satellites are about 550 km from the earth’s surface and are in constant motion around its orbit.
There are approximately 3,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, and SpaceX hopes to increase this number to 42,000.
Inmarsat uses geostationary satellites to provide data and voice communications to the Earth.
The satellites provide a single spot beam that covers a third of the earth’s surface.
Inmarsat constellation network has approximately 14 satellites in the constant synchronous constellation at around 22,000 miles above the earth’s surface.
The downside to such distances is there is no way to connect in polar regions, and you have to be closer to the equator to get solid connections.
Intended Customer Base
Inmarsat is a satellite company that started in 1976 and has received plenty of offering critical satellite communications for organizations.
The tech company aims to provide satellite solutions and infrastructure to governments, military, marine, and civic organizations.
Inmarsat offers more corporate solutions and packages than Starlink.
Starlink’s main customer base is individuals in low-connectivity and high-demand areas with poor services.
Starlink’s objectives are seen as disruptive in the industry, bringing fierce competition to local internet providers.
The company targets smaller organizations, such as startups, to help provide affordable internet.
Starlink is also keen on expanding to remote areas such as deserts and polar regions, which most internet providers are yet to explore.
While connectivity is not as fast, staying connected and communicating with people thousands of miles away is good enough.
Product Comparison
Starlink dish
Corporate companies are the major clients of most Inmarsat products.
If you go to the official Inmarsat website, you’ll notice products are categorized into Aviation, Enterprise, Government, and Maritime.
That said, Inmarsat products are fairly expensive.
Starlink’s internet solution is futuristic and has affordable products from satellite dishes, routers, and more.
Starlink’s hardware package has residential plans and RV services for moving vehicles.
The average price of Starlink monthly subscriptions is about $140 and guarantees fast speeds with low latency.
If Starlink increases its satellites and maintains good connectivity, it might be the new alternative to satellite infrastructure, even at the corporate level.
Price
Inmarsat products are expensive as they are geared towards big businesses and organizations.
Their cheapest product should be the Inmarsat IsatPhone Pro 2 Satellite Phone which costs a little below $2,000.
Starlink has a wider intended customer base, and most are low to middle-income earners across the globe.
Therefore, they have cheaper alternatives that cost $350 for hardware and $140 for monthly subscriptions.
Starlink Vs. Inmarsat: Which One Is Better?
When looking at which one is better, we think Starlink’s internet has better coverage in remote areas.
However, Inmarsat is more reliable and is the best solution for organizations that need uninterrupted connections with secure channels.
It is ideal for private jets, maritime locations, and remote areas.
Starlink satellite in space
Conclusion
As you can see, Starlink and Inmarsat satellites have many differences.
The two companies have the same services structured differently to appeal to specific customers.
Starlink is a better option for small internet connections and individuals living in remote areas, while Inmarsat caters to crucial organizations.
We hope your quest for satellite internet has been made easier and you can choose the best hardware.