Starlink's New $0 Hardware Plan: What You Need to Know

SpaceX has come with an amazing Starlink's plan that allows users to pay $0 for hardwares kit. The company offers a new 12-month residential plan with hardwares (dish and router) at $0, but it's only available in select markets.

However, not with a term and condition. It's important to note that the plan is not increasing the monthly subscription fee, but has terms like a potential demand surcharge.

You have 30 days to test or return, with a change fee if canceled early. If you change your service address or discontinue the service, you’ll incur a fee based on the hardware cost, adjusted proportionally to the time you’ve used the service. Additionally, in locations where demand is high, you may face a one-time surcharge of about $100.

The new Starlink's offer drops the hardware price to $0 for a 12-month commitment without affecting the monthly subscription prices. This plan is available in regions like the US, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and most European countries, but in Croatia, it's limited to the Starlink Mini kit.

The monthly fee, such as $50 in the Netherlands, doesn't increase, but there might be a one-time demand surcharge of around $100 in busy areas.

The starlink plan aims to lower the entry barrier, especially in rural areas. For example, in the Netherlands, the standard kit normally costs €349, but with this plan, it's €0, with a €349 change fee if canceled early. In the U.S, the standard kit cost $349, now $0.

In the past, Starlink let users to pay for the full hardwares kit with a 30-day return policy. However, this 12-month residential plan is a shift toward more flexible pricing that aligns with competitive strategies in the satellite internet market.

It's worth noting that the 12-month residential plan was quietly advertised in some countries over the last month before being promoted globally. This indicates a phased rollout of the new plan.