Some companies want people to come back to their office. Others accept that they work from their kitchen table. What a 2022!
But why not let them work wherever they parked their RV on the side of the road with SpaceX Starlink?
I have friends who don't work from their office or from home.
They work from wherever they are. In fact, you know one. Computerworld's Mike Elgan has been a digital nomad for years. He works near Venice, Italy.
Me? I am a homebody who usually works from home, but this week I am working from Madrid.
But it is not easy.
Take internet connectivity. Even more than power, that's what batteries are for, we need the internet to function.
As the Mobile Internet Research Center points out: “There is no single 'best solution' for all mobile Internet situations. If you want or need to move often enough, you have to be prepared for the reality that what works best will change every time you move."
They are right. It changes every time.
I use Verizon when I'm in the US for my last resort 4G/5G internet. But when I'm in Europe, I switch to my Google Fi. The Fi service is much cheaper and offers better coverage for international calls and internet.
How many people want to pay for two telephone services?
But what if you had a high-speed Internet connection that worked for you wherever you went, say something you could plug into your RV or boat?
It is no longer a fantasy. SpaceX's Starlink is now available as Starlink for VR.
With this, in the continental US, much of Canada, and much of the UK and Europe, you can now get Starlink download speeds of over 100 Mbps, download speeds in the 12 Mbps range, and latency around of 20 milliseconds.
That's more than enough for work and video conferences.
Oddly enough, Starlink says you can sign up and grab a plate for your RV or boat right now. Meanwhile, I'm still on the waiting list and I won't have a dish until mid-2022. Come on, Elon! Let's put this plate on my roof!
Before you pull out your credit card, there are several things in the fine print FAQ that you should consider.
First of all, you will only get the "best service" from Starlink.
As explained in the Starlink RV FAQ: "Network resources are always given lower priority for Starlink RV users compared to other Starlink services, resulting in degraded service and slower speeds." in congested areas and during peak hours Peak speeds Indicated speeds and uninterrupted use of service are not guaranteed Service degradation will be most extreme in "wait list" areas on Starlink's availability map during peak hours ".
I don't like the sound of this, but it's still better than most of the alternatives.
In my case, Verizon covers most places I go in the United States. "Further." Starlink promises to take care of me wherever I go, as long as I'm not in a city with skyscrapers blocking my satellite line of sight.
It's not cheap either.
Regular Starlink costs €110 per month with a one-time hardware fee of €599. Starlink Business costs €500 per month with a one-time equipment fee of €2,500. The mobile version will cost €25 more per month, so you can expect a final monthly bill of €135.
It's still less than what I'm paying for my Spectrum gigabit cable connection that I can't take anywhere.
And, if you have your RV in your driveway, it can disrupt service. You only pay for the months you are actually away.
You also can't put Starlink in a car. Although I must say, the idea of driving a Tesla Model S with a Starlink antenna on the roof makes me smile. You really need a motorhome. Or, if you never plan on hauling anything in your truck, I suppose you might as well put one in there.
And, if you have a private jet to call your own, someday soon you'll be able to buy Starlink Jet.
So is it worth it? I think it is for some people. If you work and really like the idea of van life, it sounds great. My partner Mary and I have been tossing around the idea of having a small motorhome for years, and it would make things a lot easier for us. Stay tuned.
My Starlink connection and I may be arriving in a city near you soon!
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