Starlink

[BigBlue1]

Looks like some recent changes at Starlink:

The roam '50GB for $50/mo' plan has transitioned to 100GB for $50. But after the 100GB instead of paying $1/GB more the plan just transitions to 'unlimited low-speed data'.

They dropped the equipment charges for residential hardware. So new residential subscribers pay $0 for hardware for signing up for the full $120/mo plan or 'lite' $80/mo plan.

I checked on my account and my inactive roam plan now indicates 100GB data allotment. That will be nice when I re-activate it in spring for camping.

I was pondering what the free equipment would mean to retailers like Home Depot & Best Buy, but I guess people signing up for roam plans still need to buy the equipment so I'd assume the retail channels will remain.

 

[B7510HSD]

What is Low Speed?

 

[BigBlue1]

What is Low Speed?

Instead of shutting off access after a user has reached the monthly data allotment threshold they continue to allow Internet access but throttle it down to a very low speed. I think it is around 512 Kb/s. Enough to do basic low-volume things but generally not useful for typical Internet access. This is the same thing they do when you 'pause' your roam plan... The system stays active but speed is massively cut. This allows users to, for instance, continue to receive system updates and access their Starlink account to make subscription changes.

 

[JRH02]

What is Low Speed?

Low speed is what makes you wear your teeth out. People whining about high speed numbers are often like those with a car speedometer that goes to 160 mph. "Mine is faster!" So what? You don't need or use it.

 

[BigBlue1]

Low speed is what makes you wear your teeth out. People whining about high speed numbers are often like those with a car speedometer that goes to 160 mph. "Mine is faster!" So what? You don't need or use it.

This reference is a very specific, very limited situation. It's not "I only have 50Mb/s but my buddy has 500 Mb/s" lusting after 'the best'. This is 0.5Mb/s which is just enough to be barely functional. And it is implemented that way for a specific set of reasons by Starlink.

 

[RandyT]

Looks like some recent changes at Starlink:

The roam '50GB for $50/mo' plan has transitioned to 100GB for $50. But after the 100GB instead of paying $1/GB more the plan just transitions to 'unlimited low-speed data'.

They dropped the equipment charges for residential hardware. So new residential subscribers pay $0 for hardware for signing up for the full $120/mo plan or 'lite' $80/mo plan.

I checked on my account and my inactive roam plan now indicates 100GB data allotment. That will be nice when I re-activate it in spring for camping.

I was pondering what the free equipment would mean to retailers like Home Depot & Best Buy, but I guess people signing up for roam plans still need to buy the equipment so I'd assume the retail channels will remain.

Its not free per se. It is a $0 rental that if you cancel the service the equipment has to be returned or you have to pay for it. And if you were one of the people that got in on the mini offer for people that have the residential plan it is now $5 for standby mode and $25 a month for 100GB for roam when you turn it on.

 

[BigBlue1]

Looks like another change just dropped.

Residential plans now offer speed tiers:
100Mb/s for $50/mo
200Mb/s for $80/mo
'best speed' for $120/mo (currently seems to be capped at 400Mb/s)

None of the tiers has data volume restrictions: "Unlimited data"

And the $120/mo tier offers a free mini device.

 

[IXLR8]

Hmm, I'm paying $120/mon and the best I am getting is 120Mb down, gen 2 dish. Maybe it is time to drop back to the $50/mon plan.

 

[Eagle1]

This morning on "lite" $80 per month plan
357 down 35 up.
Not a lot of others out here since most now have access to fiber in this sparsely populated area.

Consistently see 200+ down rare times it drops much below that.

 

[grsthegreat]

I just got that email, but not bothering changing. I’ll be fiber in a few months, than going to go to the standby plan