Does Starlink require a completely unobstructed sky for normal operation?

Based on my own experience and understanding, the answer to this question is: Yes, the clearer and more unobstructed the sky, the better Starlink performs. However, "completely" is a bit absolute; we can look at this on a case-by-case basis.

Why is an Unobstructed Sky Necessary?

This has to do with how Starlink works, which is quite different from the traditional "big dish" satellite TV we used to have.

• Satellites are moving, not stationary: Traditional satellite TV dishes point to a satellite that is essentially stationary in the sky (geosynchronous orbit). However, Starlink satellites are in low Earth orbit, zipping across the sky above you like a swarm of bees.
• Your antenna (dish) needs to constantly "switch conversations": Your Starlink antenna (often called a "dish" or "Dishy") is very smart; it automatically tracks satellites in the sky. When one satellite is about to move out of sight, it immediately switches to the next satellite that has just entered its field of view. This process is very fast, almost imperceptible to you.

Now, here's the key point: What happens if there are obstructions in your antenna's field of view, such as tall buildings, trees, or even an eave?

When the antenna is about to "talk" to a satellite, that satellite happens to fly behind a tree. Boom, the signal is instantly interrupted. The antenna can only wait anxiously, either for that satellite to emerge from behind the tree, or quickly find the next available satellite.

How Do Obstructions Affect Real-World Use?

One or two brief obstructions might not be a big issue, but if there are many obstructions, you'll frequently encounter "network interruptions" or "signal loss." Even if these interruptions last only a second or two, their impact varies wildly across different applications:

• Watching videos, browsing websites: You might just notice the video buffering or a webpage loading a bit slower, which isn't a major impact. This is because these applications have "buffering" mechanisms.
• Video conferencing, VoIP calls, online gaming: This is where it gets critical. Any momentary signal interruption can cause your video to freeze, audio to cut in and out, or you to get disconnected from a game. This is because these applications demand a continuous and stable connection.

How to Check if Your Environment is Suitable?

Starlink officially anticipated this issue long ago. You don't even need to wait for the equipment to arrive; just download their mobile app.

The app has a "Check for Obstructions" feature. It uses your phone's camera, allowing you to scan the sky from where you plan to install the antenna. Then, it will very intuitively tell you:

• How clear the sky view is at your location.
• Where there are obstructions (e.g., trees, buildings).
• It will directly give you a conclusion: whether the signal at this location will be "great," "okay," or "poor, suggesting you move it elsewhere."

In Summary

So, you can understand it this way:

For the best experience (especially for gaming and video conferencing), you must provide your Starlink antenna with an almost 100% unobstructed and as wide as possible view of the sky.

If you only occasionally browse the internet or watch videos, then one or two small corner obstructions (like the tip of a distant tree) might be tolerable, but you should be prepared for occasional network "hiccups."

In short, for Starlink, line of sight is its lifeline. Scanning with the app before installation is absolutely the most crucial step to avoid future trouble.