By Rob Kavanagh · ex-telco tech · connectivity, comms and keeping remote places reachable
“After three years of dead LTE signals in the Pilbara, I finally proved that Starlink works when your only backup is a satellite dish that spins in the wind.”
— Rob. Test the link before you trust it.
ArticlesCalculatorsSite PlannerShopOff-grid internet in the Pilbara comes down to Starlink versus dead LTE towers. After three years of failed mobile data, Starlink delivered reliable broadband where nothing else worked. Compare latency, data caps, and mesh options before you commit to a dish or antenna.
Stay connected in remote areas with these reliable off-grid internet options.
I recommend Starlink—SpaceX's low-Earth orbit kit—when a site's too far from the NBN or ADSL for a copper or fibre fix. The dish needs a clear run at the sky, no gum trees or tin sheds in the way, otherwise you'll chase dropouts all day.
HughesNet and Viasat are the established satellite broadband options. I still consider them for sites where terrestrial coverage is limited or non-existent, though the high latency is a known limitation.
When the primary feed drops, I fall back to LTE or 5G for mobile broadband. A TP‑Link TL‑WN722N adaptor plugged into a tethered smartphone turns it into a Wi‑Fi hotspot, and from there I share the link with the rest of my gear on site. It won't win speed tests against a fixed service, but it bridges the gap until the main link is back.
Mesh networks link each node to its neighbour instead of routing everything through a single access point, which is why they hold up when a unit drops offline due to weather or hardware failure. I've deployed Ubiquiti and Eero kits on jobs where the distance between buildings made cabling impractical, and both brands run true mesh with no central controller required. Lose one box and the rest of the network keeps carrying traffic around the gap.
Off-grid internet starts with three questions: where you are, what you can spend, and how much data you need. I've bolted Starlink dishes to tin roofs in the middle of nowhere and strung mesh nodes across suburban blocks where the NBN never turned up. Starlink and conventional satellite give you global reach. LTE/5G and mesh let you stay local, flex your coverage, and keep a backup when the primary link drops.
While many off-grid projects are achievable as DIY, certain situations require licensed professionals:
Always check local regulations and obtain necessary permits before commencing work.
Worth a watch: BEST Off Grid Internet? | Better Than Starlink? | Fixed Wireless Internet REVIEW · RidgeLife