Data and slow speed on a Starlink Mini rental
A rental has two data limits that are easy to mix up. One is your trip's allowance. The other is the kit's Starlink plan.
Your trip's allowance
Each trip includes 10 GB for every day of the trip, shared by everything on the kit's Wi-Fi: phones, laptops, a TV. A 7-day trip includes 70 GB. It is one allowance for the whole trip. It does not reset each day.
The kit's Starlink plan
Starlink counts data for each service line, which means each kit has its own plan and its own monthly count. Kits do not share one pool. When a kit has used the high-speed data in its plan for the month, Starlink keeps it connected at a lower speed.
Why they are different
Using more than your trip's allowance does not by itself slow the kit down. Slow speed starts when the kit's plan runs out of high-speed data for the month, and that depends on the kit's whole month, not on your trip alone.
A trip that stays within its allowance can still be slowed if earlier use that month has already used up the kit's plan. If you think that is happening, tell us and we will check the kit's readings.
Seeing your use
Your order page shows what your trip includes, what the kit has used since it left us, and the time of the reading. Readings come from Starlink's records and can be behind. Until there is a reading it says pending, never zero.
Using less
- Pause automatic app and system updates on devices that share the Wi-Fi.
- Turn off photo and cloud backups for the trip.
- Lower the video quality in streaming apps. Video is the biggest use for most people.
Questions
Does the Mini have a data cap?
The kit's Starlink plan has a monthly amount of high-speed data. After that Starlink keeps the connection but slows it. Your trip also has its own shared allowance of 10 GB for each day of the trip.
What happens if my trip uses more than its allowance?
Going over does not by itself slow the connection. Your order page shows your use against the allowance. If an extra-data price applies to your order, it is shown on your quote before you pay.
Is the allowance per phone?
No. It is shared by every device on the kit's Wi-Fi for the whole trip.
How fast will it be?
It varies with the place, the weather, how much sky the Mini can see, the time of day and how many devices share it. We do not quote a speed.
What if I need more data than the trip includes?
Tell us before you book what you plan to do online, and we will say whether the allowance fits.
More: how it works · power in the car