Starlink Launches Its First Wi-Fi 7 Router 4 Supporting 510 Devices

Starlink has officially started shipping its very first router with Wi-Fi 7 support, designated as Router 4. Starting November 6, the device is included in the Starlink V4 satellite hardware kit for new residential customers in the United States and Canada who choose specific high-speed plans.

• Router 4 is included in Starlink V4 kits for the US and Canada starting November 6.
• The router provides wireless coverage of up to 325 square meters.
• It supports up to 510 simultaneously connected devices.
• Applicable residential plans are priced at $85 and $130 per month.

Technical Specifications and Features

The new router supports Wi-Fi standards ranging from legacy 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax up to the modern 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) protocol. It features a tri-band radio system, MU-MIMO and OFDMA support, along with WPA2 and WPA3 security standards. Notably, it lacks a dedicated 6 GHz radio band, setting it apart from many other contemporary Wi-Fi 7 routers on the market.

For wired connectivity, the unit includes two Ethernet ports, both supporting Power over Ethernet (PoE). The router itself can also be powered via WAN or USB-C ports. Weighing approximately 400 grams, the hardware is explicitly designed for indoor residential environments.

Comparison with Previous Generations

Previous Starlink Standard kits came equipped with Router 3, which was limited to Wi-Fi 6 support. That older model provided coverage up to 297 square meters and handled up to 235 connected devices. Consequently, the declared coverage area of the new model has increased by roughly 9 percent, while the maximum device capacity has more than doubled.

Interestingly, the throughput capabilities of Wi-Fi 7 far exceed the actual speeds provided by Starlink's satellite connection. The Residential 200 Mbps plan caps download speeds at 200 Mbps, while the Residential Max plan promises speeds exceeding 400 Mbps, costing $85 and $130 per month in the US respectively.

What This Means for Users

Bringing Wi-Fi 7 into standard satellite kits highlights Starlink's push to provide cutting-edge hardware for smart homes and heavy network users. Even though satellite speeds do not fully saturate the vast bandwidth capabilities of Wi-Fi 7 yet, users gain massive network capacity, extensive range, and solid future-proofing for hundreds of connected gadgets.