Starlink Internet in the Dominican Republic Update …

@marielleetguillaume Hello! I live in Cabarete and work remotely for a US university. I use Starlink but my landlord pays for it so it's included in my rent. Before moving here, I used a Claro internet box that I could connect both my work phone and laptop with an ethernet connection. That served me well before I started using Starlink. I have 2 of them and keep them charged up if my Starlink is on the fritz.

After having our unit for over a year, I am pretty happy with the quality of service Starlink provides.   We have had one outage of about 40 minutes a month ago, and as we've discovered with the absolutely torrential rains on the North Coast the last month (last night in particular), it does drop service.  No surprise, really, given the amount of rain the signal needs to travel through.  But, as a whole, I'd recommend Starlink.  There are no import duties on a new system, the price on the website is the price you pay to your door, no extra courier fees.  Our monthly fee is charged to a foreign credit card, so you don't need a Dominican account for any of it.  The only drawback is the included wifi router.  It's not the best, or very good, honestly.  But we've disabled that and installed a mesh system in our home, and that has solved that issue.  With more satellites coming online, the speed and service will only get better.

@UncleBuck Thank you so much that really helps !

I live in Bayahibe and will be able to put the antenna on top of my building with no nearby obstructing objets/trees etc, so the connection should be great.

I'll certainly go through the all process and give my own feed back from the moment i order to the moment i'm connected.

Allo Marielle are you from Quebec?

I'm in Bayahibe too and  I'm planning to get the service with Starlink.

I'll wait for your review and see.

Thanks

We have Starlink now here in Ontario Canada.  As Uncle buck said, Starlink’s wireless router that it comes with is not very powerful to cover a large home.  There is a Starlink specific router adapter that you can purchase separately from the Starlink store, that plugs into Starlink’s router that enables you to add a router of your own choice so you can enjoy greater coverage and features.

Starlink’s adapter is not a regular Ethernet plug adapter, its something specific to Starlink, so you have to purchase the adapter from Starlink to enjoy the use of an aftermarket long range wireless router.

@youngpong Hey ! I'm not from Quebec but i do speak French/ English in case you would like to meet someday in Bayahibe.

Quick Update, I just order the Starlink set today, it took me some times to figure out how to enter a valid address...

On the Starlink home page, where you can put your "Service address" and click "Order now", my google +code was bringing me to the page where it says that my address was compatible with the Starlink system but from there it wasn't possible to enter a "Valid address" and proceed to the next step. After a few try, you can check a box that appears, saying that you confirm it is a valid address even though Starlink doesn't find it. Now you can finally place your order and proceed to payment.

Once that was done and after a few hours, i received an email saying my order was going to be send between the 3rd and the 9th of November.

I'm still a little concerned about the 50% tax you normally have to pay on orders greater than 200US$ but it seems like it doesn't apply on Starlink/DHL shipments.

Let see what happens then !

@marielleetguillaume I can confirm that import duty is waived on direct orders with Starlink. Also, you will need the adapter, but I ordered mine from Amazon rather than through Starlink.  You will need one, and a mesh system if you want Wi-Fi beyond the room with the Starlink router. We use a Google Nest with a router and four access points to carry the signal throughout our house. Concrete construction is not Wi-Fi friendly!

@RockyM

Hello. Is this considered fast in DR?? I want to keep up with shows while there, so I will need good speed to stream. Will I ha e issue?? Santo domingo Oese is the area  the more precise area is manoguayabo.

    @RockyM
Hello. Is this considered fast in DR?? I want to keep up with shows while there, so I will need good speed to stream. Will I ha e issue?? Santo domingo Oese is the area  the more precise area is manoguayabo.
   

    -@Shestheone

Hey - This is Mrs. RockyM! I'm the technogeek in the family, so figured I'd respond! Looking back, it looks like this was based on his response (in August 2022) of 20 Mbps download speeds. That was what we had with a CV Hotspot microwave dish. We had no issues at all with streaming, but typically only on one device at a time. That was a pretty typical speed at the time for the dish or fiber optic. In December of 2022, we switched to StarLink and we consistently get 150 mbps.

I work in tech, fairly heavy user, and stream damn near everything (no cable). Local provider (Delancer) has fiber in the building, 220/120 and it works great (3tb cap which I'll never hit). Couldn't be happier with the service, and don't have to worry about weather-related interruptions with Starlink.

        @RockyMHello. Is this considered fast in DR?? I want to keep up with shows while there, so I will need good speed to stream. Will I ha e issue?? Santo domingo Oese is the area  the more precise area is manoguayabo.        -@Shestheone

Hey - This is Mrs. RockyM! I'm the technogeek in the family, so figured I'd respond! Looking back, it looks like this was based on his response (in August 2022) of 20 Mbps download speeds. That was what we had with a CV Hotspot microwave dish. We had no issues at all with streaming, but typically only on one device at a time. That was a pretty typical speed at the time for the dish or fiber optic. In December of 2022, we switched to StarLink and we consistently get 150 mbps.
   

    -@ddmcghee

What she said........     

I'm getting 122.69/15 right now......... StarLink

@TRSinCO

@RockyM

Thank you. Good info. But I've been having trouble finding out if fiber optic is available in haute nueve specifically. And I read on this thread I believe that starlink requires you to get some sort of specific equipment etc. Can anyone walk me through ehbfastest streaming and work day stability option for thatbarea specifically and if there is or is not fiber optic there. Another thing, I read somewhere that an 18mo contract is the only option??? Is this true??

        @RockyMHello. Is this considered fast in DR?? I want to keep up with shows while there, so I will need good speed to stream. Will I ha e issue?? Santo domingo Oese is the area  the more precise area is manoguayabo.        -@ShestheoneHey - This is Mrs. RockyM! I'm the technogeek in the family, so figured I'd respond! Looking back, it looks like this was based on his response (in August 2022) of 20 Mbps download speeds. That was what we had with a CV Hotspot microwave dish. We had no issues at all with streaming, but typically only on one device at a time. That was a pretty typical speed at the time for the dish or fiber optic. In December of 2022, we switched to StarLink and we consistently get 150 mbps.         -@ddmcghee

Hello, am I reading starlink info right??? $120/mo for service, and about $599 for hardware???🫨 if so......I'm going to need other lower cost almost equal options please. $120/mo in DR, that's a lot. This would be an extra bill for me on a different part of the world, so it needs to be a little more feasible on the wallet, a lot more feasible. Also, I'm looking for a great reliable prepaid cell phone provider and plan. Claro is best?? And is basically Verizon wireless under a different name???

What is it you need on terms of speed and where? There are options.  Verizon is now Altice

    What is it you need on terms of speed and where? There are options.  Verizon is now Altice        -@planner

Hato nuevo, manogoyaba, Santo Domingo. Reliable Streaming, and work from home speeds. And more reliable/dependable against the outages and interruptions that typically occur. I'm not sure of the expectations for speeds there so I can't really speak in terms of numbers because I'd be speaking in comparison to the US which wouldn't be the same. So that's why I gave the description of my needs for speed hope that helps

StarLink is easy to order & install...... special DR pricing

https://dominicantoday.com/dr/local/202 … 427%2C000.

In greater Santo Domingo it's easy to get both Claro and Altice at higher speeds.   Work from home speeds is everything from 20/5 up to 200/50.  In many areas fiber optic is available.  Internet alone isn't expensive.

Your area is listed for fiber optic. Now you have some options it comes down to your buildings location. does it have fiber optic landlines coming in? Can you put up a starlink receiver? I would concentrate now on what is possible on your exact location. Can you check what is possible by asking owners or neighbours? What do they use and what are their speeds? Does your location have power backup?

@Papito NL

I do not live there, and will be a frequent visitor for now. I have a partner there. I'm trying not to draw attention to her dating an American, just to be on the cautious side. I apologize as I don't have several of the answers, not sure how much she can obtain for me but I will try

She said claro said that she can't get fiber optic there, but it looks like they could when I seen (something). Anytime I change the claro website to English it gives me a completely different set of company services, industrial.or something. So I don't know how to contact them toll free or locally to have a conversation in English about services in DR.

Claro operates throughout Latin America, so make sure you are looking at the Dominican site. Finding English-speaking customer service is tough! I'm still waiting on a call back from an English-speaking rep from a call over two years ago!

@WillieWeb

Not sure where I got the $120 from, but I see it's $58, but $540 for equipment still, without accessories like the ethernet adapter. The necessary pieces come with it however. But, I only seen roof or top side of house installation. I would like something way more low key, and can someone remove and take the dish and use as equipment of their own, or...serial.numbers assigned etc etc. Still, who wants to lose $540 worth of equipment... I also don't want to draw attention and have people pry or ask to jump on the network which would slow down the speeds I need. I'm trying to think of all scenarios and cover all bases. If this can't be more discreet, then what very reliable and dependable, and fast service can I get instead (that it discreet)?

@ddmcghee

Lmbo!!!!

Yes, I was definitely on the DR site. But when I change language or perhaps it country to English or US, it's not even internet and phone related anymore....its way different; same site .diff page...???

@ddmcghee

I've also seen bad reviews for them as well and that it was very very difficult to reach somebody. Whereas it's a different country, I definitely wouldn't want to deal with that headache. Does anyone know if Altice is any better in that regards?

Neither are good at customer service.  And getting English speaking is rare.

@planner

For claro, I read that there were problems for making payments....had to be made in person at a local claro retail spot...?

No. That's not true. You can pay online banking or by CC by calling them or registering your CC.

Some internetbrowsers have the ability to translate the exact (spanish) page you are on.

I suggest, if possible, that your partner does help you some more to get the needed info and your connection set up..

-My dominican wife is my ”filter” to get things organized in the DR and I do the same for her in europe. It is much easier to get things done this way.

I have friends who can’t get the Claro app to work for them and don’t have a local bank account to pay the bill. i used to pay through my banking app, but then i registered a credit card, using the app, and have it set to autopay.

@Papito NL

Yes, I've been using Chrome to translate,.but sometimes it doesn't quite translate and it doesn't translate language within something. I do try to get her help.with some things. But she hasn't done some of these tasks as it's pretty much been survival life there. No extra money for the other things.

@ddmcghee

So the app works fine for you, but does not for them? Correct?

@Shestheone Yes, that is correct - I've had no problems with the app at all. One person can't get the correct app for Claro DR on her phone. I think it's Columbia that her app defaults to.

Does anyone know of  pool companies in Punta cana.  Looking to get prices for a pool 

May I suggest you open a thread. This one is about starlink! Thanks

I ordered Starlink a couple of weeks ago. It has arrived in the DR but has not yet been delivered to my house.

I just looked at the Statement in my app and saw that I paid DOP28,440.00 for the equipment and what I assume to be a month's service. Does that sound right?

@crabelramble

Based on what I too calculated on their site, yes. I haven't ordered, but that was the calculation.

    I ordered Starlink a couple of weeks ago. It has arrived in the DR but has not yet been delivered to my house.I just looked at the Statement in my app and saw that I paid DOP28,440.00 for the equipment and what I assume to be a month's service. Does that sound right?        -@crabelramble

You will love it. Our neighbor got Starlink here first and said it was "life changing". The comment appeared a bit dramatic at the time, but here in the hills where we don't get fiber optic that little dish certainly has been a gift.

The first payment is just for the equipment. Two weeks after they ship your equipment, they will charge you for your first service. Our equipment got delayed in holiday shipments last year (Christmas, New Year, Three Kings), so Starlink gave us a free month of service.

The only negative about Starlink is its customer service. There is no way to call or email them. All you can do is create support tickets through the website or app. When our equipment was, at one point, "missing in transit", they were not able to offer any help. They kept cutting and pasting scripted responses that had nothing to do with my questions. I was able to finally get the point across that I was paying for service on equipment that had still not been delivered, and that's when they credited me for a month. We have friends who lost their service because Starlink was not able to change the credit card to be used for payment. The website and app wouldn't allow a change to their card on file, and no one at Starlink was offering an alternative method. When our card on file expired last month, I made sure to register the replacement expiration date and CVV as soon as I had it. Sure enough, we got a notification that our last payment was declined! I checked our account on the website and the new card info was there. I immediately opened a support ticket and explained that the new card info had been updated a few weeks previous, but they had tried to apply the payment using the old info. They reran the transaction with the new info a couple of days later.

[edit]  Other than the customer service you will love it!! LOL

@ddmcghee

Sheesh! What a headache huh?! Everyone wants to save a buck on the most essential part of the business, customer service, and all they do is ruin the face of the business and show how much they don't care.