Peplink MAX Orbit Satellite Routers for Starlink
The Peplink MAX Orbit series is built for sites that run on satellite internet: boats, remote job sites, mobile command trucks, and offices that keep Starlink as a backup to fiber. Each router connects two to eight satellite terminals and bonds them into one connection with SpeedFusion, so a single blocked dish doesn't take the network down.
That's the main difference from the cellular routers we sell, like the MAX BR1 Pro 5G and MAX BR2 Pro 5G. Those have 5G modems and SIM slots inside. The Orbit routers have no cellular modem at all. They're satellite first, and you add 5G by plugging a cellular router or modem into a spare WAN port.
There are three models right now: the Orbit 2 for two terminals, the Orbit 4 for four, and the Orbit 8 for eight. Only the Orbit 8 can power dishes over PoE+. Compare them below.
Compare the MAX Orbit models
| MAX Orbit 2 | MAX Orbit 4 | MAX Orbit 8 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satellite ports | 1x 2.5G and 1x 1G, plus a 1G LAN port | 4x 1G, plus 2x 2.5G WAN/LAN | 8x 2.5G with PoE+ output |
| Extra WAN | Wi-Fi as WAN | USB 3.0, Wi-Fi as WAN | 10G RJ45, 10G SFP+, 2x USB-C |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| SpeedFusion (AES) | 200 Mbps | 200 Mbps | 1 Gbps |
| Users | 1 to 150 | 1 to 150 | 50 to 500 |
| Price | $799 | $1,499 | $1,899 |
The Orbit 2 suits a single vehicle, kiosk, or small office with two links. The Orbit 4 adds room for four terminals plus two multi-gig ports, and the router itself can run on PoE+ power. The Orbit 8 is for bigger sites, with eight terminals, 10G uplinks, and PoE+ output on every Orbit port. All three have GPS, run on DC power, operate from -40 to 65 °C, and can run Docker apps on 8 GB of onboard storage.
How the Orbit routers connect
Each Orbit port is a standard Ethernet WAN port. Plug in a Starlink dish, another satellite terminal, or a wired line like cable, fiber, or DSL. None of the models has a cellular modem, so 5G comes in through a spare WAN port with a cellular router or modem and one of our 5G data plans.
SpeedFusion then bonds those links into one connection. Traffic is split across every link and put back together at the far end, so a blocked dish or a cut line doesn't drop a VoIP call or a video meeting. Bonding needs a hub on the far end: Peplink's hosted service with a SpeedFusion Connect data plan, or one you run yourself. Our SpeedFusion Hub vs SpeedFusion Connect guide compares the cost.
Starlink dish status in InControl
The Orbit routers talk to each Starlink terminal directly, so InControl shows more than up or down. For every dish you can see obstruction, uptime, latency, and where it's pointed, and you can reboot or stow it remotely. Peplink's SpeedFusion Score rates the health of the bonded connection, and every MAX Orbit we sell includes PrimeCare.
Common questions
Can a MAX Orbit power my Starlink dish? Only the Orbit 8 has PoE+ output on its Orbit ports, with a 240 W total budget, and it needs a 50 to 54 V DC supply to run it. The Orbit 2 and Orbit 4 don't power terminals. Call us before you plan a setup around powering a dish from the router.
Do I need a hub for bonding? Yes. Bonding and hot failover need a SpeedFusion endpoint. Plain load balancing and failover between links work without one.
Not sure which one fits? Have your terminal count, expected users, and available DC power handy, then call or text an engineer at 888-381-7750, Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 3:00 PM Pacific. You can also browse all the Peplink routers we stock.