“The further you go, the greater the adventure.” Every PicThrive client.
Well, our clients haven’t explicitly said it in so many words but we believe they’d agree. Indoors is for comfort. Outdoors are for adventures. And the more remote it gets, the greater the rush.
Unfortunately, being remote also means a sketchy internet connection. But Starlink for tour operators is about to change all that.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a constellation of satellites from SpaceX that provides internet access. Envisioned and led by Elon Musk, when completed, it will have thousands of small satellites that will deliver internet connections to around the world from low orbit.
This $10 billion project began in 2015 and has already started giving internet access to places in North America, Europe, and Oceania. The objective is to have around 1584 satellites in the orbit by 2022 that will give worldwide internet connection.
Starlink aims to give internet access to under-serviced rural and urban areas. The prices are also supposed to be competitive.
What internet speeds can you get from Starlink?
Starlink’s beta test was rolled out in Southern Canada and Northern US in 2020. Users reported upload speeds of more than 100 Mbps (megabits per second). The service was initially rolled out to users primarily living in rural areas, some of whom enjoyed speeds of 150 Mbps and even 200 Mbps.
The company’s claim of latency being below 31 milliseconds (the time it takes for data to reach one point from the other) was also verified by the initial group of users who plan to stick to the service. Some have even reported latency to be around 20 milliseconds.
When satellites are farther from the earth, latency will be high. Since Starlink satellites are almost 60 times closer to earth, there is exceptionally low latency. This means high-resolution video gaming, and video calls are possible with Starlink.
Moreover, Musk has stated that the internet speeds could go up to 300 Mbps.
Costs of the service
There are two components to the cost of the Starlink service. The first is the upfront fees for the hardware. Usually, these start at $550 and can go up to $800 depending on the shipping fees, taxes, and the need for any installation equipment, including, roof mounts.
The monthly fees are $99, which users have found to be competitive when compared to prevailing broadband rates. Importantly, SpaceX has made it clear that the company doesn’t intend to roll out tiered pricing for its services.
What areas are covered by Starlink now?
Starlink’s services are in beta mode and are available now to consumers in the US, UK, and Canada. Specifically, they’re available to beta users living between 44 and 53 degrees latitude.
How to sign up for service and get on the waitlist
You can head to Starlink and sign up for the service. Do remember that it’s a limited rollout right now with a limit on the number of users in any area under coverage.
How fast internet can improve your business
As an adventure tour operator, you know that internet connectivity is not a luxury anymore. It’s a basic necessity to run and grow your business. You need it to facilitate bookings, run your POS, find customers (and for them to find you) and in some cases, to make calls. There are lots of cloud tools to help businesses, like Zapier that help automate tasks.
In other words, your operations and sales can be significantly challenged without a steady internet connection. If someone is streaming YouTube, it puts your whole business at risk. This is a serious problem when you operate an adventure tour in a remote area where broadband connections are unreliable and Wi-Fi is weak.
While it’s a problem for you, it’s also an irritant for your guests. They are used to working with a reliable, fast internet connection. Luckily with PicThrive’s unique technology, operators and guests can operate business as usual with slow and bad internet. However, not all cloud based services can do this and can interrupt your ability to operate if they crash your internet.
With Starlink, make “no internet or bad internet” a thing of the past. Say goodbye to “Awesome place! But bad internet”.
As a tour operator, a fast and steady internet connection means you’ll be able to check your reservations and make adequate preparations. You’ll also be able to monitor how your social media marketing and easily post engaging content. You can rely on more and more cloud-based services that can streamline your operations.
With Starlink your business and operations can move into the 21st century and your possibilities will be endless.
Why you should sign up for Starlink
With higher internet connectivity comes more opportunities to grow. Here are some reasons why you should sign up for Starlink:
- No matter how remote your adventure tour operation is, Starlink should be able to offer you uninterrupted and high-speed internet once it gets covered
- There are significant cost advantages to using Starlink for tour operators. Once you pay the fee for the hardware, the monthly costs are a competitive $99
- The primary reason you should opt for Starlink is the difference it’ll bring to your guest experiences. When internet speeds are above 100 or even 150 Mbps, your guests will be able to take more photos and videos and upload them with ease
- Your guests will also be able to “live stream” their experiences. While photos and videos will get your outdoor tour to friends and families on their social media timelines, a live stream will elevate the game
- They’ll also be able to have video calls with friends and families from your facilities. This will introduce a new set of prospective consumers to your tour operation
- You’ll be able to upload high-resolution videos and photos to your website and social media handles. These will get social media traction and invite interest from your followers and their friends
- With Starlink, there are no intermediaries. So, your connection is guaranteed once you set up the hardware
- You don’t have to wait for someone to install and set it up. You’ll be able to easily do the installation
Starlink for tour operators
Growth is a function of connectivity. This is especially true for tour operators who work in remote areas. A high-speed internet connection is an absolute necessity if you’ve to get the word out and constantly acquire customers. It’s also crucial to all your marketing efforts.
