Starlink is testing new prices by location: how to check your rate
Quick answer
Starlink is testing “dynamic” pricing on its US Residential plans in some areas, so your monthly price can sit about 20% above or below the list price depending on where you live (PCMag). Residential Max lists at $130 a month, but reported local prices run from $104 to $156 (Notebookcheck). For customers who got SpaceX’s email, the change starts with bills on or after Nov 30. These are test prices, not a final price list, and SpaceX didn’t respond to PCMag’s request for comment.
What’s changing
- Prices now follow local demand. SpaceX’s email to affected customers says prices are set “dynamically based on supply of capacity and demand from customers” (PCMag).
- About 20% either way. Code on Starlink’s website suggests a cap of 20% up or 20% down, per PCMag. Ranges listed for one Colorado address (Notebookcheck):
- Residential 100 Mbps: $44 to $66
- Residential 200 Mbps: $68 to $102
- Residential Max: $104 to $156
- Not just increases. Rolla, Mo. shows Max at $156 and Warsaw, Mo. at $143. Kansas City, Mo. shows Max at $117, and Marysville, Kan. at $104 (PCMag; TeslaNorth).
- Where so far: mostly parts of Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska in the US. Price cuts have also shown up in the UK, France, Australia and New Zealand (PCMag, Nov 2).
- More often: SpaceX says it will review prices “roughly quarterly,” and adds that “these won’t just be increases: as we expand capacity, service pricing in your area may be lowered” (PCMag).
- Second change this year: Starlink raised Residential and Roam prices by $5 to $10 in May (PCMag).
How to check yours
- Already a customer? Look for SpaceX’s price email and check your next bill on or after Nov 30.
- Thinking of signing up? Enter your exact address on starlink.com before ordering. It shows your monthly price and any one-time demand surcharge, which varies by location (Notebookcheck).
- Compare plans. If your area went up, see whether a lower tier covers what you use.
What it means for you
- No lock-in. There’s still no contract and no early termination fee (Notebookcheck). If your price jumps, you can leave.
- Data stays unlimited on US Residential plans (Notebookcheck).
- Budgeting gets harder. A price that can change every few months is a new thing for home internet. Rural users with no other fast option told PCMag they feel stuck.
- Busy area, higher bill. Areas with spare capacity are seeing cuts. Crowded ones are seeing increases.
FAQ
- Is this final? No. PCMag calls it a test in select areas, and SpaceX says prices will be reviewed about every quarter.
- When does it hit my bill? For customers who got the email, bills on or after Nov 30.
- Can my price go down? Yes. Some areas are seeing 10% to 20% cuts (PCMag).
- Can I cancel if it goes up? Yes. There’s no contract or early termination fee.