What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX. Unlike traditional internet connections that rely on physical cables or phone lines running to your premises, Starlink delivers internet connectivity via a constellation of hundreds of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that orbit the planet at around 550km above the surface.
That low orbit is what makes it different from older satellite internet services. Previous generations of satellite broadband used geostationary satellites positioned roughly 35,000km above Earth, so far away that the round-trip signal delay (latency) made them practically unusable for real business tasks like video calls or cloud software. Starlink's satellites are close enough that latency is comparable to a standard broadband connection.
The service has grown rapidly since its public launch, and what started as a solution for remote rural locations has evolved into a genuinely enterprise-grade option. Speeds typically range from 100–300 Mbps download, which is more than sufficient for most business needs.
For businesses across Bristol, North Somerset, and the rural South West, it's now a compelling option as a backup internet connection, but is it right for your business?
Why Starlink as a Backup?
The key advantage of Starlink as a failover solution is independence. It works via satellite, so a problem with your local broadband infrastructure, street cabinet, or even a regional network outage simply doesn't affect it. As long as you have power and a clear view of the sky, you're connected.
This makes it particularly valuable for:
• Rural South West businesses where 4G signal is poor or unreliable
• Businesses in areas with older or less resilient broadband infrastructure
• Sites where running a second fixed-line connection is impractical or expensive
• Events, temporary sites, or businesses with mobile operations
How Does it Work as a Failover?
Paired with the right failover router, Starlink can automatically become your active connection the moment your primary line drops. The switch typically happens within seconds. When your main connection comes back, the router reverts, and you may not have noticed any interruption at all.
But the real question is: what happens in those minutes or hours before a failover kicks in, or when businesses don't have one at all?
For most modern businesses, a broadband outage isn't a minor inconvenience. It's an immediate operational crisis. Card payments stop processing. VoIP phone systems can go silent. Cloud-based tools, whether that's your CRM, your accounting software, or a remote team on a video call, become completely inaccessible. Staff are left unable to work, customers are unable to be served, and revenue stops flowing from the moment the connection drops.
The cost adds up fast. Research consistently puts the average cost of unplanned downtime for SMEs at hundreds of pounds per hour, and for larger organisations the figure can climb into the thousands. When you factor in lost sales, staff time wasted, and the reputational damage of customers who can't reach you or complete a transaction, even a two-hour outage can wipe out the equivalent of a full day's profit.
That's before you consider industries where connectivity isn't just convenient, it's regulated or contractual. Healthcare providers, logistics operators, and financial services businesses may face compliance implications if systems go offline unexpectedly.
A Starlink failover doesn't just protect your internet connection. It protects your ability to trade.
What Are the Limitations?
Starlink performs best with a clear, unobstructed sky view. Heavy tree cover or nearby buildings can affect signal quality. Weather can have a minor impact, though it's generally much less than older satellite services. It's also worth factoring in the hardware cost alongside the monthly subscription.
For most business scenarios, Starlink works as an effective backup, even if it's not always the right choice as a primary connection.
Interested in Starlink for Your Bristol or South West Business?
Bytes Digital can assess your site, advise on whether Starlink is the right backup solution for your situation, and handle the full setup, including integration with your existing network and failover router configuration.
We work with businesses across Bristol, Clevedon, Portishead, Nailsea, and the wider South West. Get in touch today to talk through your internet resilience options.
