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What is the Starlink 2 month rule?

Understanding the Starlink 2-Month Rule: What It Means for Roaming and Relocation

With Starlink expanding its footprint across remote and underserved regions, users in locations like the Bahamas, outback Australia, or off-grid U.S. households are relying on its satellite connectivity more than ever. However, a key limitation—known as the Starlink 2-month rule—can directly impact how subscribers access service outside their registered country.

In practical terms, the 2-month rule refers to Starlink’s policy that allows roaming with a standard residential or mobile dish outside of the user’s home country for up to 60 consecutive days. After that period, continued service requires updating the registered service address. This policy affects those who travel internationally with their Starlink kit, relocate temporarily or permanently, or rely on Starlink while living aboard RVs, boats, or in seasonal homes.

Whether you're planning to cruise along the Caribbean or set up a winter base in Canada with your Starlink terminal, understanding this rule will determine how consistently you stay connected.

Contrasting Starlink Residential Service and Starlink Roam

Fixed Address, Fixed Expectations: Starlink Residential

Starlink’s Residential plan operates on the principle of a fixed service address. Once activated at a chosen location, the dish connects to a designated cell within the satellite coverage map. This geo-restriction links the use of the dish, IP routing, and network priority to that fixed area. Attempting to use the service outside this region—even just a few counties over—may result in degraded service or full loss of connectivity after a set period, as defined in Starlink’s service policy.

Bandwidth allocation for Residential users is optimized based on network capacity within each service area. That means customers connecting from their official service location benefit from better data performance, especially during congestion. This model favors users who operate from one location most of the time—such as homeowners and rural businesses—rather than frequent travelers or seasonal users.

Designed for Movement: Starlink Roam

Starlink Roam untethers users from a fixed service address. Originally branded as Starlink for RVs, this subscription tier permits usage across multiple geographic zones, including domestic or even global roaming options (depending on the selected plan). Unlike the residential setup, Roam deprioritizes data on congested network cells and may deliver lower velocity during peak hours—but in exchange, it offers unmatched flexibility.

Roam users can set up their dish virtually anywhere within supported regions and connect without needing to notify Starlink about a change of location. This favors use cases such as digital nomadism, overlanding, marine travel within coverage zones, or work in remote temporary deployments like disaster relief or scientific fieldwork.

Mobility vs. Policy: Where the Differences Matter

Key operational differences between the two plans shape how the 2-month rule applies. Residential service assumes a “home base” and enforces location tied connectivity. Roam, by contrast, functions independently from a singular registered address, allowing persistent mobility without service interruption—although always with the caveat of deprioritized access.

Want to relocate a Residential terminal periodically? Starlink’s current policies discourage this, unless you're willing to change your service address and accept tie-ins to the new region. Roam sidesteps that with its built-in mobility protocol—but changes come at the cost of network speed and priority.

The essence of the divergence lies not just in pricing or performance, but in how each plan aligns with real-world user movement patterns—and how the policy framework technically enforces them.

The Official Starlink Policy Behind the 2-Month Rule

Digging Into the Terms of Service

Starlink's two-month usage rule stems directly from its Terms of Service and associated mobility documentation. Within these documents, SpaceX outlines how it manages location-based access and the procedures governing service availability as users move their kit outside their registered service address.

Specifically, the Terms of Service state that residential users are expected to use Starlink primarily at the registered service location. While the hardware supports geographically flexible use, location consistency remains a requirement under most standard plans. Prolonged operation away from the original address initiates automatic reassignment processes or, in some regions, service degradation.

Policy Language in Starlink's Mobility Documentation

In the Starlink Mobility Policy, the two-month rule is explicitly referenced. According to the Starlink support site:

This language defines the two-month window as the operational threshold. It's not a flexible guideline; it’s a programmatic policy. Starlink’s system tracks GPS-based activity and determines whether equipment is in continuous use within or outside the assigned service cell.

What Triggers Starlink’s 2-Month Countdown?

The countdown begins once a user actively uses their Residential Starlink kit beyond their designated service address. The platform tracks use at the IP level combined with satellite positional data. If this use persists for longer than 60 consecutive days, one of two automated events will occur:

Starlink assigns users to defined geographic service areas aligned with their satellite network's capacity allocation. Continuous mobility strains those allocations, which is why the system checks location-based usage automatically.

This 60-day rule prevents long-term network congestion in roaming areas not designated for fixed service. For users needing persistent flexibility, the Roam plan (formerly known as RV) functions under a different model with more lenient geographic constraints but without guaranteed high-speed performance in crowded zones.

How Service Address and Geographic Zones Shape Starlink Availability

The Function of the Service Address in Starlink's Network

Every registered Starlink terminal ties to a specific service address—this defines not only where the dish is expected to operate but also which satellite beams it can utilize. Unlike traditional ISPs that manage routing via ground infrastructure, Starlink aligns each active user terminal with a cell in its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) network. The service address functions as a virtual anchor point within that grid.

Once a user sets up Starlink at a given address, the system reserves throughput and bandwidth capacity for that location. The antenna and backend software align with resource allocation models derived from that address. Changing it affects both where the dish seeks satellites and how capacity management is executed across the broader network.

How Starlink Uses Satellite Coverage Zones

Instead of a universal beam model, Starlink segments coverage through dynamically adjusted zones. These geographic cells are defined by a combination of satellite pass overlaps, network demand, and ground station proximity. When a user attempts to relocate the dish outside of the original zone without updating the service address, the system may detect a mismatch and, after a 60-day roaming period, throttle or restrict service.

Geographic Restrictions: What Counts as "In Coverage"

Starlink publishes a live availability map that segments regions into three categories: "Available", "Waitlist", and "Coming Soon". These statuses reflect current satellite density, local traffic demand, and regulatory permissions. For example, large portions of the continental U.S. fall under “Available”, but certain areas in southern Canada, Alaska, and Central America remain “Coming Soon”.

Coverage zones operate on a rolling-update model. As SpaceX deploys satellites—particularly with the ramp-up of Starlink V2 Mini units—the contours of these zones evolve monthly. However, service remains location-locked unless the address is updated to a zone with the same or better availability status.

A user moving a terminal from Georgia to Idaho—despite both being in the U.S.—may still encounter availability issues if the destination zone is under capacity constraints or regulatory delay. The system doesn't automatically resolve this; it queries the original zone against the current GPS data and flags mismatches after sustained inconsistencies.

Understanding Temporary Relocation Limitations with the Starlink 2-Month Rule

What Happens When You Travel with Starlink?

Taking your Starlink hardware across state lines or into another country might seem straightforward—just set it up and go. However, usage outside your registered service address for extended periods activates specific restrictions. For instance, moving a residential Starlink dish from Oregon to Texas and using it there continuously for over 60 days will trigger Starlink’s location verification protocols. After that period, the system classifies the use as out-of-zone, and service continuity depends on updating the address or swapping to a Roam plan.

The 60-Day Clock: Countdown to Limitations

The two-month limit begins the moment Starlink detects activation in a different service area. The detection isn’t passive; Starlink tracks dish locations actively through satellite-based geolocation data. Once outside the registered area, users have a rolling 60-day window before restrictions apply. So, a user camping in Montana with a Colorado-registered Starlink dish has just under two months before Starlink potentially limits access in that new location.

What Triggers Notifications or Service Suspension?

Notifications typically appear in the Starlink app. These alerts request verification of the current location or suggest formally updating the service address. Failing to act on those prompts after extended usage can result in temporary service suspension until location compliance is restored.

Pushing the Boundaries

Some users attempt to reset the 60-day timer by powering off the dish or returning briefly to the original location. This method doesn't reset the system's rolling memory. The relocation timer operates on sustained usage patterns, not simple presence logging. Once the system calculates the 60-day threshold has passed, the notification becomes unavoidable unless the service address is aligned with the current location.

Starlink Use in the Bahamas: A Special Case Study

Availability of Starlink in the Bahamas

Starlink officially supports service in the Bahamas, and the country is listed on the Starlink coverage map as an active service area. The SpaceX-operated satellite internet service began offering coverage to the Bahamian archipelago in 2023, making it a viable option for both residents and seasonal travelers seeking high-speed internet in remote or underconnected islands.

Coverage spans the majority of inhabited islands, including New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, and Eleuthera. This coverage is made possible by Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, which eliminates the need for ground infrastructure beyond the Starlink dish and modem.

How the 2-Month Rule Affects Seasonal Users in the Bahamas

The Starlink 2-month rule stipulates that a user with a Starlink Residential plan using their equipment outside their designated service address for over 60 days must update the registered location. This rule directly impacts individuals who bring their Starlink equipment from the U.S. or Canada to the Bahamas for seasonal stays.

Once a user crosses the 60-day threshold in the Bahamas without changing the service address, Starlink may require an address update or throttle access until the user returns to their home service zone. This rule applies even though the Bahamas is a supported service area. The system identifies the geographical zone of operation via GPS coordinates transmitted from the dish, and compares it with the registered service address on file.

Continuing use beyond the 60-day mark without updating the address violates service terms for the Residential plan, potentially causing disruptions. The Starlink Roam plan (formerly Starlink for RVs) offers more flexibility, but even then, long-term fixed use outside of the original country can prompt service restrictions or require a switch to a Regional or Global Roam plan.

Recommendations for Users in the Caribbean Region

By structuring usage around these guidelines, seasonal residents, digital nomads, or yacht owners operating in Bahamian waters can maintain stable Starlink service without violating policy. The Bahamas presents a unique case where Starlink’s international support meets a high volume of temporary foreign users, making compliance with service zones pivotal for consistent connectivity.

Roaming, Mobile & RV Lifestyles: Workarounds and Risks

Using Starlink Roam Plans on the Move

Starlink Roam, previously known as Starlink for RVs, targets users who operate outside of fixed service locations—most notably RVers, digital nomads, overlanders, and maritime users. Available in both regional and global variants, the plan allows Starlink users to operate anywhere Starlink has active satellite coverage, freeing them from traditional service address constraints. However, the experience isn't identical to residential use.

The core feature of Starlink Roam lies in mobility. Customers can move their terminal across different geographic zones or countries without formally updating their service address. This unlocks internet access even in remote areas—deserts, mountain ranges, open sea—so long as Starlink’s satellites and related ground station network support those coordinates. Internally, Starlink still links usage data to geographic zones for performance management.

Performance Realities: Latency, Congestion & Prioritization

Starlink Roam introduces trade-offs. Unlike the standard Residential plan, Roam users receive “best effort” service. This means during high network demand periods—especially in urban or oversubscribed zones—Roam users rank behind Residential customers in bandwidth allocation. According to Starlink’s own documentation, congestion reduces speeds significantly at peak times, especially in U.S. suburban areas, where Starlink continues to face capacity limitations.

Average latency for Roam hovers between 40 and 60 milliseconds, but during network congestion this can spike. In contrast, fixed Residential users often maintain lower and more stable latency, particularly when within a designated home zone. For RVers using applications such as video conferencing or real-time cloud collaboration tools, this variation can affect service reliability.

Soft Enforcement of the 2-Month Rule Outside Residential Plans

Although the “2-month rule” officially applies to users on the Residential plan relocating their service address temporarily, Starlink appears to enforce a softer variant for Roam users. Roam customers can stay indefinitely in one location without triggering auto-reassignment restrictions. However, after prolonged use in certain congested areas, some users report performance degradation or nudges from Starlink to switch to a fixed plan.

Data indicates no uniform enforcement, but anecdotal evidence from RV-focused user communities (such as r/Starlink on Reddit or iOverlander forums) highlights various throttle-like symptoms. For example, Roam users parked in heavily populated areas like southern California and Florida have reported speeds dropping below 10 Mbps during evening hours.

Workarounds and Their Implications

For travelers on land or sea, Starlink Roam remains the only viable option for continuous mobility, but it comes with higher risk of slowdowns and limited support priority. Seeking a workaround only shifts the limitations rather than removing them. Want to stream in HD from a beach in Baja or launch Zoom calls from Glacier National Park? These are possible—but don’t expect consistency every hour of the day.

Understanding Starlink’s Network Infrastructure: LAN, IP Addresses & Server Interactions

Changing Physical Locations Alters Your IP Address and Geolocation

Starlink assigns dynamic IP addresses, and these addresses reflect the user’s current terminal location. Every time the dish moves to a different geographic cell on Starlink’s coverage map, the system reallocates a new public IP. This process directly impacts geolocation data at the internet service level, which digital services use to determine user location.

For example, relocating from South Carolina to Texas will cause a complete reallocation of your network routing through Starlink’s local ground station infrastructure. As a result, services referencing IP geolocation—such as streaming platforms, banking apps, and regional websites—may interpret your device as operating from a new region entirely.

LAN Stability Under Frequent Relocation

Devices connected via a Local Area Network (LAN), such as computers, smart TVs, or security systems, rely on the router’s ability to establish a stable internal IP structure. With Starlink, the WAN component—your external internet connection—fluctuates with location-based routing and dynamic IP assignment. However, LAN configurations within your Starlink router remain relatively stable unless reset manually.

Problems surface when frequent relocation causes reinitialization of Starlink parameters. This re-initialization occasionally disrupts port forwarding rules or static IP assignments for devices inside your LAN, such as home servers or NAS systems. Users maintaining LAN-based services during travel need to reconfigure local device settings more often than with fixed fiber or cable ISPs.

Using a VPN to Preserve Access to Region-Locked Services

Service providers like Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Max scan for user IPs to enforce licensing restrictions. When your Starlink IP address changes with every relocation, region-restricted content libraries shift accordingly. VPNs allow users to tunnel traffic through a fixed-location server, overriding the dynamic nature of Starlink’s routing infrastructure.

Without a VPN, users traveling between states or countries experience content disruptions. Email security filters, gaming services, and automatic authentications can also flag logins as suspicious when they originate from rapidly changing IPs. VPN solutions offer a consistent geographic signature, keeping access uninterrupted and credentials trusted.

Dynamic IP Assignment and Hosting/Server Access Challenges

Starlink does not provide static public IP addresses with residential or roam services. Customers operate behind Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT), which consolidates multiple users onto a single public IP. This structure complicates direct remote access to home servers, security cameras, or self-hosted services that rely on direct inbound connections.

Server administrators or users hosting applications on their local Starlink network must rethink device accessibility strategies. For uninterrupted operation in mobile or remote setups, deploying private networks or leveraging cloud-hosted instances becomes necessary.

How the Starlink 2-Month Rule Affects Streaming and Content Access

How Streaming Platforms Detect Your Location

Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu don’t just rely on your account location—they analyze network data to determine where you are connecting from. This includes your IP address, latency patterns, and DNS resolution behavior. Starlink users, particularly those on the Roam or RV plan, are routed through Starlink’s infrastructure, often landing on IP addresses that reflect the location of Starlink’s egress servers rather than the user’s physical location.

However, after relocating for more than two months outside your registered service address, Starlink may adjust its routing or limit connectivity, causing services to register you as being in a different country. This change can remove access to region-specific catalogs, trigger login verifications, or even block service entirely if the streaming platform doesn’t operate in that market.

VPNs: A Double-Edged Workaround

To bypass regional restrictions, users frequently turn to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). A VPN reroutes internet traffic through servers in a chosen country, masking the real IP address. This enables continued access to region-specific streaming content, even when operating Starlink outside the registered country beyond the 2-month window.

That's the theory. In practice, many streaming platforms now deploy VPN detection tools that block known VPN IP ranges. Additionally, some VPNs struggle to maintain stable connections over Starlink due to changes in routing, increased latency, or intermittent packet loss. High-end VPN services with a wide server network and obfuscation features tend to perform best under these conditions.

Tips for Uninterrupted Streaming Access While Relocating

Performance Drops: What Happens After the Two-Month Threshold?

Crossing the 2-month time limit doesn’t cause an immediate service cutoff. Instead, users may notice gradual performance degradation. Latency increases, usually by 80–120 milliseconds above standard Starlink performance, can result in longer buffering times. Streaming in 4K demands at least 25 Mbps sustained throughput—once Starlink deprioritizes traffic originating from a long-term non-matching service address, maintaining that becomes unreliable.

Servers attempting content delivery via Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) may fall back to distant or throttled routing paths, further reducing quality. Users often report automatic downgrades to 480p or forced buffering when watching high-definition content after extended roaming outside the service zone.

How to Change Your Starlink Service Address Correctly

Step-by-Step Process to Update Your Address

Changing your service address within the Starlink ecosystem doesn’t require advanced technical expertise, but precision matters. Starlink routes service based on your registered location, aligning coverage zones with satellite cell availability. Updating the address involves a few deliberate actions:

Regional Limitations and Timing Delays

Availability isn’t equal across all geographies. Starlink’s coverage depends on the density of existing users in each cell, and some areas are currently flagged as at-capacity. Attempting to move your service address into one of these regions will trigger a waitlist message, and the system won’t allow the change.

In these cases, the dashboard will prompt you to either keep your current service address or opt into the waitlist. The waiting period varies: in some U.S. metropolitan markets, users have reported delays between 3 to 6 months, while in lower-density rural zones, changes often process in under 48 hours.

Consequences of Skipping the Update After 60 Days

Failure to update your service address after 60 consecutive days of Starlink usage outside of the original registered location triggers automatic de-prioritization. At that point, your data is reclassified, bandwidth allocation shifts, and latency increases—especially during peak hours. Additionally, prolonged service from an unapproved address may result in a forced service suspension, particularly if usage maps indicate prolonged operation within non-roaming zones.

To maintain optimal speeds, uninterrupted connectivity, and full use of local IP-routed services like region-specific streaming platforms, initiate a service address change through your dashboard as soon as your location stabilizes for more than a few weeks.

Best Practices for Staying Within Starlink’s Guidelines

Clarify Your Subscription Type

Start by confirming whether you're on the Starlink Residential or Starlink Roam plan. The two differ in terms of data prioritization, portability, and how they trigger the 2-month policy enforcement. Residential users with portability enabled are most impacted by relocation limits, while Roam users enjoy broader mobility but with potentially lower priority speeds during network congestion.

Track Your Relocation Timeline

Portability use doesn't reset automatically. Once you power your dish at a new address, the clock starts ticking. Monitor the exact date you began using Starlink in a new location—60 days marks the limit before Starlink may require address reassignment or reallocation of regional capacity. Use a calendar app or spreadsheet to document these movements.

Use VPN Judiciously

VPNs can mask your geographic IP if services rely on that data layer rather than GPS coordinates. However, Starlink relies primarily on hardware geolocation, so VPN usage won’t override system-level policies. What it can help with is access to content services that incorrectly geo-block or throttle based on IP-derived location data. Match your VPN server location closely to your service area to avoid triggering content restriction issues.

Understand the Regulatory Landscape

While Starlink hardware can function globally, not all countries permit unregistered satellite equipment. For example, operating Starlink in the Bahamas requires prior authorization through the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA). Failure to comply can lead to confiscation or fines. Before relocating your dish internationally, research import regulations, RF licensing, and customs declarations specific to the destination.

Balance Mobility with Compliance

Trying to stretch a Residential plan on the road often leads to degraded speed and eventual address lockouts. Plan around your usage patterns instead of reacting to service interruptions. What routines have helped make your Starlink experience seamless during travel? Reevaluate them every few months to stay within Starlink’s rules and enjoy consistent service quality.