Does VoIP Work With Starlink? We Did the Research

written by

Doug Stevenson

updated July 25, 2023

Starlink's low latency high-speed satellite internet model may seem ideal for VoIP operations where conventional cellular services tend to fail. But is that the case? Let's find out!

Does VoIP work with Starlink?

VoIP works with Starlink. To enable VoIP on Starlink, ensure you have a stable enough connection with a latency below 50 ms. Starlink supports common VoIP apps like Skype and Microsoft Teams. Popular internet-based telephone services like Ooma and MagicJack also work with Starlink.

Here's how to make VoIP work on Starlink.

VoIP on Starlink

VoIP has made its ground in the digital realm with excellent connectivity and quality of service, and it is also very affordable.

Furthermore, with apps like Skype, Zoom, and MS Teams, communication has now become effectively free; of course, you'll have to factor in network service charges!

The only constraint that matters when it comes to VoIP is the network latency. Latency is not an issue with land-based network services like cable or optical fiber connections.

But when it comes to satellite internet services, that may not be the case.

Let's take a look at the most basic requirements that need to be fulfilled to operate a VoIP service:

Network Requirements for VoIP

A stable internet connection is key to an effective VoIP service.

Failing to cope with the requirements will lead to subpar connection quality and dropped calls.

Take a look at the most basic networking requirements for VoIP:

Service	Speed (Down and Up)	Latency	Preferred mode of connection
Internet-based VoIP services (one-way)	1-5 Mbps	<100ms	Wired
Skype (and other similar services)	100-200 Kbps (audio only)	50-100ms	Wired/Wireless

VoIP requirements

As mentioned in the table, VoIP services work best with latencies below 100ms for stable and sound connections.

Once the latency jumps beyond 100ms, jitters start to kick in.

The same goes for online services like Skype and Zoom.

Download speed puts up little to no issues as VoIP tends to hog very little bandwidth.

Although VoIP services fare well with wired connections, there's no harm in hosting them via a wireless connection if it's stable enough to do so.

And so, the chief constraint is latency. Generally, Satellite internet has high latency.

But this is not in the case of Starlink. Let's look at the numbers with Starlink.

Starlink Network Performance

Unlike other satellite internet services that tend to throttle latencies well above 300ms, Starlink performs exceptionally well, with latencies falling mostly below the 100ms mark.

Here's a brief account of the latency performance exhibited by Starlink:

Service	Latency (idle)	Latency (under load/Peak time)
Starlink Residential	<100 (30-60ms)	=<100ms
Starlink RV	<100 (50-80ms)	>100
Starlink Maritime	<100ms	<100ms

Starlink latency chart

It's pretty clear that other than when the server is busy with traffic overload, Starlink is indeed a decent enough network to host VoIP services.

Latencies tend to saturate below 100ms for the most part, which is ideal for VoIP services.

Starlink RV is a deprioritized service. Therefore, the network tends to become slow with high latencies when the traffic is high in the immediate surrounding.

One of the USPs of Starlink is its exceptional networking speed. Even during peak hours, the network speed tends to soar above the 100 Mbps mark.

Hence, we can safely assert that Starlink is a good enough host for VoIP services.

How to Setup VoIP on Starlink

With the requirements taken care of, let's talk about using VoIP with Starlink.

The process is quite simple, especially with communication applications like Zoom and Skype.

But when it comes to internet phone services, you may have to go through quite a few more steps for setting up the associated equipment.

Nonetheless, follow these steps to use a VoIP service with Starlink:

1. Open the Starlink app and tap on the Speed test tile to run a quick speed test.

2. Ensure that the speed and latency are within the recommended levels.

3. Download and install the VoIP service on your device.

4. Open the app and log in/create an account.

5. Enjoy the service.

With internet telephone services, follow these steps to use it:

1. Set up the service hardware according to the instructions.

2. Open a browser on your PC, and go to your VoIP service provider's website.

3. Follow the instructions and activate your service.

Most internet phone services demand a wired connection to the Starlink Router for it to work.

Since the newer Rectangular Starlink Dishes don't support an Ethernet port, you'll have to buy the Ethernet Adapter from the Starlink store.

Best VoIP Services for Starlink

Lastly, to top off this informative guide, let's explore some VoIP options best suited for Starlink.

Since most software VoIPs differ ever so leniently when talking about audio calling, let's concentrate on finding the best hardware VoIP for Starlink.

Software VoIPs like Skype, Zoom, Google Voice, and MS Teams all share a similar performance curve when employed on a Starlink network.

Some apps, like Zoom and MS Teams, have been optimized quite well to work even under unstable network conditions.

Here's a glance at the best VoIP services for Starlink:

Product	Price	Contract	Unlimited Calling
Ooma Telo	$79 + monthly taxes	No Contract	Yes (US)
magicJack	$44.99 + shipping and taxes	No Contract	Yes
AX Voice	$99/year or $14.99/mo	No Contract	Yes

Internet Phone VoIP services

Now, let's discuss these products in detail:

Ooma Telo

One of the most recommended and perhaps one of the best VoIP services in the market, Ooma is indeed a perfect match for Starlink.

Featuring a hardware implementation, Ooma Telo works similarly to your regular old landline telephone services.

Connect the Telo to your Router, set it up through the app or the website, and you're good to go.

With an inbuilt speaker, you can answer and monitor calls with ease.

Free calling is one of the staples of Ooma, and you can get unlimited talking time, too.

If you prefer to communicate with users in Canada or Mexico, you may have to avail of the Premier service, which also comes with a handful of other privileges.

Here are some of the features of Ooma Telo:

Efficient utilization of network bandwidth without loss of quality.
Advanced encryption technology to further the security aspect.
HD Voice with double the quality of a conventional landline.
Take your Telo service on the go with the Ooma Telo app.

If you prefer wireless over the wired model, go with the Ooma Telo Air.

You can also customize your Ooma Telo with additional handsets.

magicJack

Launched way back in 2007 as a novel VoIP service, people often took Magic Jack as a gimmick.

Since then, Magic Jack has grown to be one of the more reliable VoIP services in the market. The competitive pricing it comes with also makes a case for itself.

Consistency is the keyword with Magic Jack. Voice quality (though not the best) is decent enough for most cases. And it doesn't eat up a whole lot of bandwidth.

Unlimited voice calls anywhere in the continental US is a guarantee. Same with Canada.

Free Caller ID, Voicemails, and Call forwarding are some of the features that come with your Magic Jack membership.

With MagicApp, you get to ring your phone and mobile at the same time without any interruptions. You also get unlimited messaging with the app.

You can port your current number to Magic Jack. In doing so, you get to keep your existing caller ID. It does come at an additional cost, though.

Setting up Magic Jack is quite simple. All you have to do is to plug in the Adapter to a USB slot or a PC.

The Adapter also houses an Ethernet port. Hence, enabling you to remain connected even during a power outage.

AXvoice

AX Voice may be the most flexible VoIP service on this list.

With no additional installation costs, you can avail of the service for a monthly/annual plan, or pay as you use.

The service comes with a free VoIP phone adapter that you'll have to plug into your Router's Ethernet port.

From then on, it's pretty straightforward. Login to the website and follow the onscreen prompts to set up the service within minutes.

The voice quality is quite decent, and the bandwidth utilization is pretty efficient as well.

Apart from the usual features like free unlimited calls, call forwarding, and conference calls, AXvoice offers a Failover feature.

With the Failover feature, you get to redirect any incoming VoIP calls to a different number if and when your ISP is experiencing an outage.

As with Magic Jack and Ooma, you can keep your current number and port to AXvoice.

Final Thoughts

VoIP has changed the whole landscape of Cellular and landline communications services.

Now, users can communicate with each other all around the world, essentially for free. All you need is a stable internet connection.

Since Starlink satellites are positioned on the Lower earth orbits, connections are much more efficient than other competing satellite internet services.

Hence, making Starlink a reliable network for VoIP services.

Included, too, is a brief list of VoIP services to pair with Starlink in this article.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use WiFi calling with Starlink?

Yes, you can use WiFi calling with Starlink. Make sure the connection is stable enough with lower latencies and faster speeds. Then all you have to do is to use the appropriate app to make the call.

Can you use your own router with Starlink?

To use your own Router with Starlink, you'll have to enable Bridge Mode on your Starlink Network. With the rectangular Dish, you may have to buy the Ethernet Adapter to plug in the external Router. On the Round Dish, you won't have to worry about either of these requirements.

Can you stream TV with Starlink?

Since Starlink offers a large data cap (1 TB) with network speeds topping off at around 300 Mbps, you can safely stream video content on Starlink.

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Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

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