Starlink lowers barriers: Free equipment rental and new Internet prices
SpaceX has significantly updated the subscription terms for its satellite internet service Starlink, making the service more accessible to a broader audience. The key change is the removal of the requirement to purchase expensive hardware. In several regions, the company has started offering the equipment for free rental.
The main changes affect the basic and premium plans. The new pricing structure is as follows:
• Basic plan: the price has been reduced to $39 per month (providing speeds of up to 100 Mbps). The offer is available to new customers for the first six months.
• Mid-tier package (200 Mbps): the price has dropped from $80 to $69.
• Maximum package: the price has been reduced from $120 to $109.
Previously, the main barrier to connecting to Starlink was the high cost of the starter kit — about $349. The introduction of free equipment rental removes large upfront costs for customers. This makes satellite internet a strong competitor to traditional terrestrial providers, especially in remote regions.
According to Elon Musk, the company’s goal is to make connectivity as widely accessible as possible. However, experts believe that this aggressive strategy may be aimed at rapidly expanding the subscriber base ahead of a potential initial public offering (IPO).
Currently, the Starlink constellation includes more than 9,700 satellites. Such a powerful network allows SpaceX not only to lower prices but also to actively develop direct cellular connectivity services for regular smartphones.
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