Singtel adds Starlink LEO as competitors roll out free Starlink trials

Singtel will offer communications on ships over Starlink’s low earth orbit (LEO) constellation as part of its integrated network that already includes very small aperture (VSAT) solutions, delivered in various bands of radio frequency over geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites.

Singtel partners with KVH on some VSAT services, and KVH is one of a growing list of Starlink authorised reselling agents that are offering Starlink on a free trial basis to shipowners.

On its website, KVH is advertising a "special Starlink demo offer for commercial vessels". The offer is for two months of Starlink service at 5 terabytes (TB) per month. 

"Vessels or fleets must submit their request to KVH no later than 29 February 2024. Only for commercial vessels with valid IMO number and not previously equipped with Starlink," the company said.

KVH’s website says it is also currently offering VSAT rate plan discounts for subscribers with a KVH hybrid or VSAT terminal plus a Starlink terminal.

With estimates of the monthly 5TB Starlink service hovering at US$5,000, the free offer, currently available from Aage Hempel Group, Anuvu, Castor Marine, IEC Telecom, Navarino, Satcom Station, The Clarus Networks Group and Tototheo, and possibly other resellers, would be worth around US$10,000. 

Although the Starlink high-performance user terminal that is required to access the service is not included in the free trials, at least some of the resellers are offering a full refund for the terminal if shipowners decide to discontinue the service and return the terminal after the trial period is up.

Starlink has seen a meteoric uptake among shipowners since the service launched in mid-2022. Singtel is marketing Starlink as the tool for shipowners and operators to tap into advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, edge computing and cloud-based solutions to improve safety, operational efficiencies and crew welfare. The low latency of LEO satellites allows for real-time data analysis and the operational efficiencies that go with it.