New Starlink subscription drops hardware price to $0

SpaceX is now offering a 12-month residential service plan for Starlink, which brings the price of the dish and router down to $0 in select markets.
The monthly fee remains unchanged at $50 per month, but customers have 30 days to test or return the kit for a full refund.
However, there are some fine print details to be aware of, including change fees equal to the cost of the hardware if service address is changed or cancelled.
The “demand surcharge” of around $100 in areas with high usage may also apply to some subscribers.

SpaceX is now offering 12-month residential service plans that bring the price of the dish and router — normally $349 in the US — down to $0 in select markets, without increasing the monthly fee. You have 30 days to test or return the kit for a full refund, but after that there’s some fine print to be aware of.

If you change the service address or cancel service, for example, you’ll be hit with a change fee equal to the cost of the hardware but prorated over time. Some subscribers will also be slapped with a one-time “demand surcharge” of around $100 in areas where SpaceX sees high usage.

Nevertheless, for many, this might be a good deal. At my home in the Netherlands, for example, the Standard Kit costs €349 under the normal Residential plan costing €50 per month. The new 12-month commitment plan brings the hardware cost down to €0 without increasing the monthly fee. The change fee is listed at €349. Presumably, SpaceX did the math and found that bringing in more monthly subscribers by lowering the barrier to entry offsets any losses on the hardware side

The 12-month residential plan has been quietly advertised in some countries over the last month but now Starlink is promoting it globally. It’s available in select markets in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand, and nationwide in most European countries. In Croatia, the plan only applies to the smaller and slower Starlink Mini kit.

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Q. What is SpaceX offering with its new residential service plans?

A. SpaceX is now offering 12-month residential service plans that bring the price of the dish and router down to $0 in select markets, without increasing the monthly fee.

Q. How much does the Standard Kit cost under the normal Residential plan in the Netherlands?

A. The Standard Kit costs €349 under the normal Residential plan costing €50 per month.

Q. What happens if a subscriber changes their service address or cancels service?

A. If a subscriber changes their service address or cancels service, they will be hit with a change fee equal to the cost of the hardware but prorated over time.

Q. Is there a one-time “demand surcharge” associated with this new plan in areas where SpaceX sees high usage?

A. Yes, some subscribers will also be slapped with a one-time “demand surcharge” of around $100 in areas where SpaceX sees high usage.

Q. In which countries is the 12-month residential plan available globally?

A. The 12-month residential plan is available in select markets in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand, and nationwide in most European countries.

Q. Is the 12-month residential plan only available for the smaller and slower Starlink Mini kit in Croatia?

A. Yes, the plan only applies to the smaller and slower Starlink Mini kit in Croatia.

Q. How much time do subscribers have to test or return the kit for a full refund if they are not satisfied with the service?

A. Subscribers have 30 days to test or return the kit for a full refund.

Q. Does the monthly fee remain the same even after taking advantage of the new 12-month residential plan?

A. No, the monthly fee remains the same, but the hardware cost is reduced to $0 in select markets.

Q. What happens if SpaceX sees high usage in an area and wants to charge a demand surcharge?

A. If SpaceX sees high usage in an area and wants to charge a demand surcharge, subscribers will be slapped with a one-time “demand surcharge” of around $100.