STARLINK:
OFF-GRID
FIBRE
4G routers are great, but Starlink has changed the game for digital nomads. Here is how to install, power, and subscribe to Starlink for van life in the UK and Europe.
The ROAM Subscription
To use Starlink in a van, you need the **Starlink Roam** (formerly RV) subscription. Unlike residential plans which are tied to one address, Roam allows you to connect anywhere in the continent you purchased it in.
**Pause & Unpause**: The best feature of Roam is that you can pause billing month-by-month. If your van is parked up for the winter, you don't pay for internet.
The Power Problem: Converting to 12V
Out of the box, the Starlink router requires 230V AC mains power. Running your campervan's inverter 24/7 just to power Starlink will drain an extra 15-20% of your battery purely through inverter inefficiency.
The 12V DC Conversion
To run Starlink efficiently off-grid, you bypass the factory router completely. You need three components:
- A 12V to 48V Step-Up Converter (to power the dish)
- A PoE (Power over Ethernet) Injector
- A standard 12V Travel Router (like a GL.iNet Beryl)
Note: This requires cutting the proprietary Starlink cable to wire an RJ45 connector. It will void your warranty, but it cuts the power draw from ~60W down to ~35W.
Mounting the Dish
1. Portable (The Tripod)
Keeping the dish loose and deploying it on the ground when you park.
- Can move it to find clear sky
- Risk of theft / takes setup time
2. Flat Mount (The Pro Way)
Disassembling the dish to remove the motors, and mounting it completely flat to the van roof using a custom 3D-printed or metal bracket.
- Works while driving
- Completely stealthy
- Complex installation
Buy the Standard Kit
Start by purchasing the Standard Actuated Kit directly from Starlink.