At Crown Electrical Solutions, we deliver a range of services across Australia, including home automation services and air conditioning to security, CCTV, and audio-visual.

Living on a rural property shouldn’t mean compromising on your internet connectivity.

Whether it’s for home automation, site security, or streaming your favourite shows, reliable internet, like Starlink, ensures you stay connected without limits.

Frustrations with the NBN rollout and its technological limitations have left many Australians, especially those without fibre, still seeking reliable internet.

In these cases, Starlink offers a powerful alternative.

By combining innovative satellite technology, Starlink provides the dependable connection needed for automation, security, streaming, and working from home, ensuring all your online demands are met.

Since launching in Australia in 2021, Starlink has climbed to more than 280,000 Australian users. Many of these users are in rural and remote areas where traditional broadband is limited.

Network data shows that about one in five rural households switching providers chose Starlink.

What is Starlink?

Starlink is a satellite internet service run by SpaceX that delivers broadband over a constellation of thousands of small satellites orbiting relatively close to Earth.

Unlike traditional internet that runs through cables and phone lines, Starlink beams internet from space down to a user’s dish and router on the ground, which means you can get reliable, high‑speed connection in places where cable‑based options like the NBN are slow or unavailable.

Starlink is designed for high‑speed, low‑latency internet that can support streaming, video calls and everyday browsing even in hard‑to‑reach areas.

To install Starlink, you need a satellite dish and modem, and customers pay a monthly service fee plus the cost of hardware, but in return they can access the internet in places other providers can’t reach.

Starlink vs NBN

Starlink is an alternative to NBN in Australia, and for many users, it isn’t a question of either/ or. While Starlink can be used in more metropolitan areas, satellite internet is often employed by those in rural areas, for whom a reliable NBN home network setup is not an option.

That being said, it’s still worth knowing how Starlink speeds compare.

The following table gives a rough overview of NBN vs Starlink.

Feature / Metric	Starlink (Satellite Internet)	NBN (National Broadband Network)
Technology type	Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites	Fixed‑line (Fibre, HFC), Fixed Wireless, Satellite (Sky Muster)
Typical download speeds	~80 – 300 Mbps depending on plan	Fibre: up to 2000 Mbps / Fixed Wireless: up to ~400 Mbps / Satellite (Sky Muster): ~33–100 Mbps
Typical upload speeds	~15 – 40 Mbps	Fibre: ~50–200+ Mbps / Fixed Wireless: ~20–40 Mbps / Satellite: ~5–20 Mbps
Latency (ping)	~25 – 60 ms (lower for LEO satellites)	Fibre: ~5–20 ms / Fixed Wireless: ~40–70 ms / Satellite: ~500 – 600+ ms (Sky Muster)
Monthly cost (residential)	~$69 – $139 (unlimited data)	~$34 – $150+ depending on tech and speed tier
Equipment cost	Usually ~A$0 – $549 rental + optional purchase	NBN equipment is free; modem/router ~$60 – $200
Data caps	Typically unlimited	Unlimited on most plans; some cheaper wireless plans vary
Coverage	Nationwide (clear sky view needed)	Depends on infrastructure: urban mostly fibre; rural by wireless/satellite
Installation	Self‑install or third‑party	Technician install for Fixed Wireless & some fixed‑line
Weather impact	Some performance variation in storms	Fibre unaffected; wireless and satellite affected by weather
Typical best use case	Rural, remote or off‑grid internet where NBN isn’t available	Urban/suburban fibre connection / budget‑friendly usage
Best for low latency needs	Good for video calls, real‑time apps	Fibre is best; satellite NBN is poor

Why Starlink is so popular for rural properties

Starlink has become one of the go‑to broadband solutions for rural and remote Australian properties because it delivers real, usable internet where traditional services like the NBN can’t reach.

Rather than relying on cables or nearby towers, Starlink uses a network of low‑orbit satellites to beam internet straight to your property, meaning many regional homes now get reliable speeds in the 100–220 Mbps range with latency as low as ~25–60 ms, which is strong enough for video calls, streaming and connected devices.

This is a dramatic improvement over older satellite options like NBN’s Sky Muster, which are slower and lag more heavily due to high‑orbit satellites.

How Starlink installation works

Getting Starlink up and running is quite straightforward compared with traditional fixed‑line broadband.

When you sign up through the Starlink website you receive a satellite dish (the “Starlink Kit”) and router that you can self‑install at your property.

The dish must be mounted with a clear view of the sky so it can communicate with satellites overhead.

Tall trees, roof angles or shading can affect performance.

Once powered up and connected, the system automatically aligns itself, links with the Starlink constellation and brings internet into your home.

Do you need a professional Starlink installer?

Many rural users do the installation themselves, but professional installers are available if you want help with rooftop mounts, cable runs and optimising signal.

Hiring an installer with Crown Electrical Solutions can save time and ensure the system is positioned for best performance.

For those setting up a smart home (where consistent connectivity matters for automation hubs, security cameras and IoT devices) contacting Crown Electrical Solutions from the outset can ensure that you end up with a neat, professionally mounted dish and cabling that avoids outages due to wind or mild storms.

How much does Starlink cost in Australia?

Starlink prices in Australia reflect the value of satellite internet in hard‑to‑serve areas.

Essentially, you’re buying broadband where other reliable options don’t exist.

In general, you’re looking at the following prices, depending on your Starlink plan:

• Residential 100 Mbps plan: $69/month, unlimited data with capped speeds up to 100 Mbps.
• Residential 200 Mbps plan: $99/month, up to 200 Mbps.
• Residential Max plan: $139/month, uncapped peak speeds (150–400+ Mbps typical).

You also need the Starlink hardware (satellite dish + router).

Renting the kit can be cheaper upfront, but buying it outright (which will cost around $550–$600 AUD) means you own it and avoid ongoing rental fees.

Unlike the NBN, where equipment is usually provided as part of the service or included in your plan, Starlink requires that initial hardware outlay.

Is Starlink worth it?

For many regional and rural homeowners, Starlink is worth it.

Even though the monthly cost and upfront equipment fee are higher than many NBN plans, Starlink delivers fast, reliable broadband with unlimited data in places where fixed‑line NBN simply isn’t available or performs poorly.

Where services like NBN Fixed Wireless or satellite (Sky Muster) can struggle with congestion, lower speeds and high latency, Starlink consistently offers better real‑world speeds and a connection capable of handling multiple devices, video conferencing, streaming and home automation systems.

For smart homes, this makes a significant difference compared with older rural broadband tech.

If NBN fixed‑line (fibre) is available and affordable at your property, it will often outperform Starlink on pure speed and price, but for true rural connectivity where NBN doesn’t reach or is inconsistent, Starlink is the best practical alternative available right now.

Can I use Starlink for home automation?

When combined with smart electrical, security and automation systems, Starlink opens up possibilities for future‑ready connectivity on rural properties.

At Crown Electrical Solutions, we specialise in delivering innovative, dependable solutions that bring every aspect of your home together.

From power and cooling to security, audio‑visual and smart control systems, we take the complexity out of technology projects with clear project‑management approach that prioritises your peace of mind.

Get in touch with Crown Electrical Solutions today to learn more about Starlink and smart home automation on your property.