Starlink introduces $10 monthly hardware fee, ending one-time purchases
▼ Summary
– Starlink now charges a $10 monthly rental fee for hardware instead of the previous one-time purchase model.
– The monthly kit fee is separate from internet service prices, which recently increased by $5 to $10 per month.
– Hardware rental is available in select countries for Residential service plans, and customers cannot pause service while renting.
– Customers can switch from renting to buying hardware by creating a support ticket, and kits are also sold by retailers.
– Professional installation costs $199 as a one-time fee, or is free with the Max plan.
Starlink has quietly ended its long-standing practice of selling hardware outright, introducing a $10 monthly rental fee for its satellite internet equipment. The shift, which moves the company closer to the traditional cable and telecom business model, is now reflected on Starlink’s residential ordering pages.
Instead of a one-time hardware purchase, new customers see an upfront cost of $0 for the equipment, paired with a recurring monthly kit fee of $10. This covers the terminal that receives satellite signals and the in-home router. The hardware rental charge is separate from the internet service pricing, which Starlink recently increased by $5 to $10 per month. Current residential plans are $55 for 100Mbps, $85 for 200Mbps, and $130 for the “Max” tier, which can reach up to 400Mbps. A professional installation service is available for a one-time fee of $199, or free for Max plan subscribers.
A Starlink support article confirms that hardware rental is now an option “in select countries” and that rented kits are only available for Residential service plans. Customers who rent will also lose the ability to pause their service. According to PCMag, the $10 rental fee appears to be rolling out globally, showing up on Starlink.com for new users in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and Mexico.
While the sign-up page currently offers no option to buy hardware, a support article notes that existing customers can switch from renting to owning. “If you are a current Starlink customer with the rent Starlink option and would like to purchase your kit, create a support ticket,” the article states. Starlink kits remain available for purchase through third-party retailers.
(Source: Ars Technica)
