If you are like us, you received an email from Starlink recently regarding changes to your mobile (Roam) plan. In the email, you likely noticed that your monthly service price has increased from $170 CAD to $189 CAD.

In addition to the price hike, there have been some notable changes to the terms of service. One key update is in section 5.1 a), which now states: “The Roam Unlimited Service Plan allows you to access Roam Unlimited Services at any land-based destination and in any coastal waters (up to 12 nautical miles off the coast and for a period of up to 2 months) (bolding added for emphasis) where Starlink provides active coverage around the world.”

This change is particularly important for Canadian RV snowbirds who spend their winters in the US. Whether you are new to RV life or a seasoned traveler enjoying Full Time RV Living, these new terms could impact how long you can use Starlink while on the road outside Canada. Let’s dive into how these changes might affect your travel plans.

The 2-Month Rule: What You Need to Know

Starlink recently implemented a new rule that restricts the use of its service outside your home country to just two months per calendar year. This change applies to all Starlink Roam plans, including the popular Roam Unlimited option that many RVers use for mobile internet. According to the updated terms of service, if you use a Starlink system you have purchased in Canada in the US for more than two months, you may be required to update your account address to reflect your current location, or your service could be suspended.

For Canadian RV snowbirds who spend several months in the US each winter, this new restriction could pose a challenge. Previously, if you moved frequently and didn’t stay in one place for too long, Starlink allowed continuous use across borders. Now, after two months of using Starlink outside Canada, you will be forced to either update your service address to your current US location or return to Canada to avoid any service interruption.

How Could This Affect Full-Time RV Living?

For those engaged in Full Time RV Living, especially snowbirds who prefer to escape the Canadian winter, the two-month restriction means you will need to carefully plan how you use your Starlink service. While it may be possible to update your service address to reflect your US location, it may create issues if you plan to return to Canada within the same calendar year, as switching your service back could trigger additional complications.

Additionally, Starlink has been inconsistent in how strictly it enforces these terms, but recent indications suggest they may begin taking this rule more seriously. RVers who stay in the US for extended periods without updating their address may face service suspension.

What Are Your Options?

If you’re planning to spend more than two months in the US, it’s important to plan how you’ll manage your Starlink service under these new rules.

One option is to temporarily update your Starlink service address to a US location, but there’s a significant caveat: Changing your Starlink account’s service and shipping address to a different country is not supported. However, you can transfer your Starlink service to a new account in the country where you are currently located. This process involves canceling your current service and creating a new account using a different email address for the new location. You’ll need to visit the Starlink activation page for details, and you may want to review the transfer requirements or contact Starlink support for more information. In fact, we highly recommend you do contact Starlink before you attempt this because there may be other factors to consider such as requiring a US credit card and/or US banking information for a US account. In other words, it may not be as simple as just creating a new account.

This method will allow you to continue using Starlink during your extended stay in the US, but it comes with the inconvenience of having to start a new account, which could disrupt your service. Additionally, upon returning to Canada, you’d need to reverse the process by setting up yet another new account.

For those who prefer not to go through the transfer process, you might consider combining Starlink with other mobile internet options, such as cellular data plans, to stay connected without violating the two-month rule. This hybrid approach may offer a practical solution for full-time RVers who want flexibility while avoiding any service interruptions.  In this scenario, you would pause Starlink after your first month abroad, and leave it paused until you travel back. Then you can un-pause your service for the month prior to returning home.  In the meantime, you would use your alternative source (IE mobile hotspot, campground Wi-Fi, etc.)

Conclusion: Stay Informed, Stay Connected

For Canadian RV snowbirds embracing Full Time RV Living, Starlink remains a valuable tool for staying connected while on the road. However, the recent changes to Starlink’s terms of service, especially the two-month international use rule, could disrupt your plans if you’re not prepared. Understanding these new rules and planning accordingly will help you navigate the upcoming travel season without losing access to your Starlink service.

It is also important to note that Starlink has had similar restrictions in place, but has never enforced them. But that does not mean that they won’t enforce this change.  Ultimately the choice is up to you as to how you respond.

As the RV life evolves, so do the tools we use to stay connected. Keeping up with Starlink’s evolving policies will ensure you continue to enjoy your travels without unexpected disruptions to your internet access.