Starlink: 50% off on equipment, monthly service

Starlink has lowered its prices to the lowest ever, offering significant discounts both on equipment and monthly service.

Previously, the upfront cost for Starlink equipment was $349, with a monthly service fee of $120 — making price the biggest barrier for many potential customers.

The deal is available to new customers anywhere in the US. 

Now, the Starlink standard kit is available in the US for just $175, half of its usual price, according to a report from CNET.

This promotion is unique because it’s available to new customers in the US, rather than being restricted to regions with fewer users, as previous deals often were.

However, Starlink has not specified how long this special pricing will last; similar offers in the past typically lasted for several months.

When considering Starlink, it’s important to weigh your options.

The service has been transformative for people in rural locations, but its steep pricing — $120 per month compared to the $78 monthly average national internet rate — makes it a less appealing first choice for most.

Performance is another factor: according to speed tests from Ookla, Starlink customers typically see median download speeds of 105Mbps and upload speeds of 15Mbps, which is usable for most households but does not meet the Federal Communications Commission’s broadband definition.

Another consideration is network congestion.

Research from Penn State University suggests that Starlink satellites begin to drop below FCC minimum standards if more than 6.66 households per square mile are using the service.

While this does not necessarily mean your connection will be unusable — common online activities like Zoom calls require far less bandwidth — it does illustrate how performance can be affected by the number of users in a given area.

If you have the option of cable or fiber internet at your address, those services are generally faster and less expensive than satellite internet providers like Starlink, and are therefore usually recommended as the better choice.

Nonetheless, for those without access to terrestrial internet, Starlink’s latest pricing could make it a more accessible solution.