I signed up for Starlink – what now?
Unlike most other internet service providers, SpaceX does not send a professional to complete the product setup for their customers. This means that your home or business will receive a Starlink kit that will need someone else to install and connect the equipment.
With Starlink being so popular, a lot of people are still sitting on the fence when it comes to installing Starlink themselves. While those who have the right tools, skills and a DIY mindset often install the hardware themselves, not everyone is comfortable with handling such complex equipment or, in many cases, working at heights. This is where we come in.
What can I expect during the installation process?
As many in the North are already aware, Starlink is ideal for places without access to terrestrial fibre. Because of this, many campers, cottagers and other people living in remote locations have chosen SpaceX as their internet service provider by default – although that’s not to say some folks, be they residential or commercial customers, don’t prefer using satellite-based technology in town as well.
If you choose Starlink, it’s a smart idea to think about everything that goes into the installation process. Because our region is home to so many trees, it’s likely that your dish will have to be mounted outside and up high, usually on top of or along the edge of your roof. To help see this process through, SpaceX offers a range of different mounts sold separately on their website – some common types include J-mounts, non-penetrating roof mounts, and volcano mounts.
In addition to fixing the dish outside, its cables will also have to be routed toward your modem on the inside of your home or office. This means that in addition to the likelihood of dealing with heights, whoever is handling the setup will also have to drill into your building to complete the installation process. Long story short, you will need a series of power tools, construction supplies and technical knowledge to get the job done.
That’s a lot to consider. Is there anything else I should know?
Unfortunately, yes – there are several other factors that could complicate your Starlink installation. First of all, as the case pretty much anywhere in Canada, any outdoor job is subject to inclement weather. Year round, when you’re working up high, you’re likely to experience windy conditions that could complicate the setup and even put your safety at risk – and in the wintertime especially, freezing temperatures and ice buildup can turn any Northern setup south real fast.
Furthermore, if you’ve already been relying on other kinds of satellite-based internet services, chances are your home or cabin may already be covered in a handful of dishes pointed at the sky. If this is the case, your Starlink installation may become increasingly complicated, especially if all the space for a signal vantage point is already taken up (not to mention the possible abundance of cables).
Can FSET help me out?
Yes. As of October 2024, we have supported the deployment of more than 4,000 Starlink kits across our region. If you are uncomfortable with any part of the manual installation process, we can assist with affixing dishes to buildings, termination of cabling, completion of setup, and the sale of necessary hardware such as mounts for eaves and fascia.
Choosing FSET for your Starlink installation provides a series of advantages over DIY options, including:
- Fast – Our team is incredibly skilled at everything that goes into setting up a Starlink kit. What might take you hours or days, we can usually do in less than 60 minutes.
- Safe – No ladders, no heights, no worries – let us climb up and take care of business atop your home or office. Forget worrying about bad weather or ending up in the hospital by letting us take care of business for you.
- Easy – We know the ins and out of how Starlink works and specialize in optimizing dish placement for the very best reception and signal strength. Our team will assess your building and its surroundings to identify the ideal spot to install your dish, saving you from any headache in the process.
- Trusted – At FSET, we often say “do it once, do it right.” With so much experience under our belts, you can count on us to prevent any issues with your installation down the line.
