Utilities & Mobile Converge ISP

Starlink Update:
The system's now been up and running for approx 6 months. Speed averages around 150-200Mbps and is very stable - even with 12-15 users connected. The only time it becomes an issue is during torrential rain when it sometimes loses the signal (just as your sat TV would do) but it reconnects very quickly (seconds) when the downpour eases. I added a 3rd party router for ethernet connectivity (2 TV's & 3 PC's). The only other issue encountered is the lack of compatible router with installed VPN availability though I guess it'll come in time (as far as I'm aware it's only available only in USA at the moment). For P2700/month and totally hassle free (i.e negligible downtime & consistent high speed connectivity) I believe it's good value.

 

Thank you very, @Sengjenbing, for your detailed description of your Starlink system.

I am impressed, jealous and scared at the same time, to be honest.

I am acutally using a Smart and PLDT router. No cable, just Wifi, and suffering like many others due to insufficient coverage and connectivity. Speed during the day mostly is around 10 MB, after 11 p.m. it goes up to 45 MB till around 5 a.m.. Not every day, but most of the time.

I am living in Magatas, and I am considering to give Converge a try, or switch to Starlink.

Unlike you, @Senjenbing, I only have very basic technical skills and only a rudimentary understanding of internet stuff, i.e. in terms of setup and installing.

Hence I am hesitating to transfer some money, waiting to receive the packet and finally I am standing with a packet of internet components on my roof and don't know what to do. Nightmare. No proper solution for a guy like me.

I was looking for a company that distributes and installs the whole Starlink system but couldn't find one.

Anybody knows a company like this ?
There is any Starlink distribution office in Dumaguete ?

Maybe somebody knows of it and in best case had experiences. I can't imagine I am the only one who is unable to setup the whole system by himself.

Grateful for any input that would help.

 

Back to the Converge subject,
it would seem that longer term Converge might become a more serious threat to the major ISP's than Dito.
The reason for that is they are investing serious money in international undersea cable capacity (singapore-indonesia-philippines-guam-california), which should come available somewhere in 2024. The additional 15Tbit own connectivity will help them to compete properly.
Obviously though, as far as FTTH (fiber to the home) is concerned, the situation in the Philippines is still far from ideal, with each company laying their own cables, instead of one company laying the infrastructure and renting out its use to ISP's.

 

PLDT HOME FIBER is the pants for the last 3 months, on the 300 Mb plan and sometimes I can only get 20 Mbps or zero connection.
Seriously thinking of going with converge or Star-link.

 

Same here.

But as stated before I am really not talented well enough to do all the mounting and setup thing. Hence I am hesitating and hoping an office or installation branch of Starlink to come to Dumaguete.

Anyhow, could be a good business idea for a skilled guy to take care of Starlink systrm setup and mounting. Probably you will be demanded very much from guys like me.

 

I was going to order Starlink but i would not order it unless i was 100% sure it would work in my location that was when i hit a complication, i tried to use their tool that tells if it would work and also the best positioning but got this message,
View attachment upload_2023-8-18_7-50-13.jpeg

I don't know what phone has all this stuff but i am not in the market for a new phone at the moment, anyone have a phone like this i can hire by the hour

 

You will need a "smart phone" to use Starlink. Your account will be based on the phone app as are all the controls for installation and operation of the system. Once set-up is completed then the system is automous and the phone app can be used for obseravtion/tesing/account handling.

 

A phone is only recommended to find a good installation spot if you don't trust your own observation (around 100 degrees free field of view of the sky). After installation the system and account can be controlled through any computer.
Source: https://www.starlinkhardware.com/starlink-setup-and-install-guide/

As an aside: the Starlink hardware has been discounted for the Philippines, 20k rather than 30k now.