Amid Russian attacks on Ukrainian telecom infrastructure and data centers, interest in Starlink as a backup way to stay online is growing again. We'll figure out how the models differ, how much terminals and subscription fees currently cost in Ukraine, what is needed for satellite internet to work, and what nuances you may encounter.
Amid Russian attacks on Ukrainian telecom infrastructure and data centers, interest in Starlink as a backup way to stay online is growing again. We'll figure out how the models differ, how much terminals and subscription fees currently cost in Ukraine, what is needed for satellite internet to work, and what nuances you may encounter.
The price depends on the model, configuration and seller. For example, on the Rozetka marketplace as of September 28, Starlink Mini can be found for about UAH 20,000. And the popular Starlink Gen 3 Rev 4/Standard cost about UAH 24,000–25,000, although some sellers have prices exceeding UAH 30,000.
The main difference is in mobility and power. Starlink Mini is designed as a more compact version that is easy to carry with you. The terminal itself weighs about 1.1 kg and has dimensions of approximately 30 × 26 cm. Its Wi-Fi router is built directly into the terminal.
The Mini is also much more energy efficient. On average, it consumes about 20–40 W. It can be powered by a compatible battery or a sufficiently powerful power bank, so this option may be more convenient during power outages.
Starlink Standard is larger. The terminal measures approximately 59 × 38 cm and weighs about 2.9 kg without the stand. It uses a separate Wi-Fi router. According to Starlink, the Standard is designed for more demanding everyday use, such as streaming, video calls and online gaming, while the Mini is recommended by the company for basic Internet tasks and use on the go.
Standard also consumes more electricity — on average, about 75–100 W. So if you buy Starlink primarily as a backup Internet during blackouts and will have to power it from the battery for a long time, Mini may be more practical.
If you order equipment directly from Starlink, you must first enter the service address on the company's website. After that, Starlink will show the kits available for this address, the cost of the equipment, and the tariff. The company does not indicate a single public price for the kit for all of Ukraine on the website.
You need to pay separately for the Internet subscription itself. Starlink offers several tariffs for Ukraine. “Home” tariffs are designed for use at one address, while “Travel” tariffs are for those who need to move the terminal. There are the following tariffs:
The most important condition is a sufficiently open sky. The terminal should not be placed under a tree or other objects that significantly block the sky. The installation height itself is not as important as a wide open sector of the sky.
Starlink warns that tree branches, roofs, poles, and buildings in the antenna's field of view can cause interference. For best performance, Starlink recommends that the antenna's field of view be completely clear: even small obstructions can cause short outages, packet loss, and reduced average speeds. You can check the location before installation via the Check for Obstructions feature in the Starlink app.
A military serviceman who used Starlink also told dev.ua about his experience. He claims that it is easiest to use Starlink in a private house, where the terminal can be taken out into the open or fixed to the roof. In an apartment, installation can be more difficult. In his experience, simply placing Starlink on a balcony is sometimes not enough, because the house, neighboring balconies or trees can block the desired part of the sky. Therefore, he advises using a reliable remote mount that allows you to move the terminal further from the wall of the house.
But mounting does not solve all problems. If, for example, the apartment is located on the first floor, and the desired sector of the sky is covered by a large tree or a neighboring house, even moving the antenna outside may not provide a stable connection. Therefore, before mounting the terminal, it is worth checking the specific location using the application.
According to the experience of the dev.ua interlocutor, no. He emphasizes that Starlink should not be perceived as an ordinary Wi-Fi router that can simply be placed in a room, because the terminal needs the most open view of the sky.
The company also notes that the Mini's operation behind glass may be unstable. The signal is affected by the material and angle of the glass, its coating, and the available sky sector. Therefore, the company does not guarantee a stable connection when installed indoors.
The dev.ua interlocutor also claims that for Starlink to work, it is desirable to have a good view of the sky in the northern direction. Therefore, a balcony facing north may be a convenient option.
However, Starlink notes that for modern Standard and Mini, the correct direction helps determine the application, so it is more important to make sure that nothing blocks the terminal's view of the sky.
The dev.ua interlocutor noticed that in cloudy weather, Starlink could work slower or less stably, although the connection did not disappear completely. But on the official Starlink website, ordinary cloudiness is not separately mentioned as a reason for the deterioration of the connection. Instead, the company warns that short-term interruptions may occur during heavy rain, snow, storms or strong winds.
It is worth noting that the terminal cannot operate without power. Starlink Mini consumes about 20–40 W on average and can operate from a compatible battery. For power via USB Power Delivery, the company recommends a 100 W source with parameters 20 V/5 A.
Larger terminals consume more power. Therefore, if Starlink needs to operate during a long power outage, it is worth immediately providing a power bank of appropriate capacity, a charging station, or other backup power.
The serviceman also mentioned a meme popular among Starlink users: in winter, cats can lay on the antenna because it is warm and interfere with its operation. This happens because Starlink has a Snow Melt function. In cold weather, the terminal can heat up so that snow does not accumulate on its surface.
