Here is all you need to know about Starlink’s Gen 3 Kit hardware

Spacex’s satellite company, Starlink, is on the course to revolutionise the internet space following the emergence of its Gen 3 Kit. While it was launched in the United States around late 2023, the company recently announced its availability in Nigeria.

Starlink’s constellation of over 6,750 low-Earth orbit satellites offers a solution by bypassing the need for terrestrial infrastructure, potentially delivering speeds of 50 to 250 Mbps. 

Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) revealed that the company now ranks second to Spectranet, a 16-year-old Lagos-based ISP, in market share and is projected to top the chart by 2026.

The Gen 3 hardware will significantly boost data speed since it is enhanced to handle heavy data requirements. With its Wi-Fi 6 chipset, the upgraded device will significantly enhance homes where devices compete for bandwidth simultaneously. 

Also Read: Elon Musk’s Starlink nears India launch following collaboration talks.

Features of the Starlink Gen 3 Kit

Below are some notable features of the new hardware.

1. Built-in Ethernet port: One of the most welcomed improvements is the built-in Ethernet port, which eliminates the need for a separate adapter required by previous generations. The new addition streamlines setup and reduces potential points of failure.

2. Wi-Fi 6 chipset: An upgraded chipset represents a significant boost in its data speed, enhanced to handle heavy data requirements.

The Wi-Fi 6 feature is mostly suitable for applications that require real-time communication, such as online gaming and virtual reality. It can also handle more devices and traffic, reduce network congestion and improve overall efficiency.

3. Signal strength: The Gen 3 hardware possesses an enhanced signal strength that ensures consistent connectivity throughout spacious environments like large homes. It is poised for improved range and reliability to reach areas that proved challenging in previous models.

4. Specs

S/n	Specs
1.	Dimensions: 2.4” x 11.8” x 4.7” (55 x 300 x 120 mm)
2.	Weight: 2.2 lbs (1 kg)
3.	Wi-Fi 6, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
4.	Device Limit: Connect up to 235 devices at one time
5.	Security: WPA2
6.	Radio: Tri-Band 4 x 4 MU-MIMO
7.	Input Ports: Starlink dish connection, power adapter
8.	Output Ports: 2 x LAN Ethernet ports
9.	Operating Temperature: -22°F to 122°F (-30°C to 50°C)
10.	IP Rating: IP56 (Water Resistant), designed for indoor use only

5. Durability: The new model provides an efficient heat management system that prolongs the device’s lifespan by reducing thermal stress. It also features a water-resistant port that makes it ideal for various Nigerian environments.

Gen 3 vs Gen 2, Gen 1

The Gen 3 hardware has some noticeable improvements over the Gen 2 that make it fly in a top performance range and qualify as a next-generation device.

1. Physical nature: Compared to Gen 2, Gen 3 is much easier to pack down, with the elimination of built-in mast and alignment motors. It comes standard with a kickstand mount that makes the Gen 3 dish just 1.5″ thick when folded.

However, the overall surface area of the new dish is a bit larger, with the length of the antenna increasing from 20.2″ in Gen 2 to 23.4″ in Gen 3. The width remains the same at 11.9″.

2. Connectors: Another change is the return of RJ45 connectors to the Starlink cable that connects the antenna (installed outside) to the router (installed inside). Originally, Starlink used its proprietary connectors and cables, which were prone to user error and failures.

With the new cable, users don’t have to worry about routing the cable incorrectly, as it is reversible. The connectors have seals that help to prevent water from damaging the dish.

3. Wi-Fi router: The Gen 3 hardware has an upgraded Wi-Fi router with a much better range and improved Wi-Fi speed. The addition of a tri-band radio also enhanced mesh performance. The physical reset button and LED status indicator are other features missing on Gen 2.

Here is a summary of the differences between the Wi-Fi Routers

• Wifi 6, compared to Wifi 5 on Gen 2 routers.
• Tri-band radio vs dual band on Gen 2.
• 2 LAN Ethernet ports.
• Compatible with all Starlink dish models.
• It can be used as a mesh node with other Gen 2 or Gen 3 routers.

4. Power structure and capacity: The Gen 3 hardware uses a separate power supply brick, similar to the Gen 2 High-Performance dish and the original Gen 1 dish. The Starlink cable will connect the dish to the router, while another cable connects the router to the power supply.

The power supply plugs into an AC outlet. Power consumption improved in Gen 3 Standard to 75-100 watts compared to 50-75 watts for Gen 2 Standard. 

5. Price: The Starlink Gen 3 Standard kit price in Nigeria is still N440,000 (N590,000 if the planned Starlink price hike takes effect), unchanged from the previous generation hardware. Starlink service plans also remain unchanged, meaning that no cost increases are associated with the Gen 3 Kit

6. Speed and Performance: With Wi-Fi 6, Gen 3’s speed and range improve over Gen 2 and Gen 1. The speed was confirmed to be about 4 times faster.

Router	Wi-Fi Speed (3 feet away)	Wi-Fi Speed (50 feet away)
Starlink Gen 1 Kit	436 mbps	47 mbps
Starlink Gen 2 Kit	670 mbps	47 mbps
Starlink Gen 3 Kit	864 mbps	203 mbps

Overall, the Gen 3 router has a similar look to the previous generation, but in a rectangular shape. It’s all white plastic, with the familiar orbital transfer ellipse pattern on the front. All the ports are on the back, instead of the bottom like Gen 2, and the LED status indicator is at the front.