(Credit: Starlink.com)
SpaceX is taking the rare step of slashing Starlink's monthly fee in its latest effort to attract new customers in the US.
In certain locations, new customers can now sign up for the Residential plan for $99 per month, down from $120. New customers can also get a discount on the Residential Lite plan, which drops from $80 per month to $65.
On the downside, interested new customers will need to pay for the standard Starlink dish rather than receive it for free. However, the company has decided to discount the hardware nationwide from $349 to $175. The offer is available via Starlink.com, Walmart, and Best Buy.
The monthly fee offer "is valid for new customers only. Discount will apply to one service line,” SpaceX says. "The service promotional offering varies by location. Other terms and conditions may apply. Terms and duration are subject to change."
(Credit: Starlink.com)Another important condition is that the discount only lasts for the first year of service. After that, the normal monthly fee will kick in, according to a Starlink support page.
SpaceX hasn’t clearly said where the discount is being offered. But it appears to be available in over two dozen US states where Starlink has excess capacity and offers Residential Lite.
This comes after Starlink.com started offering eligible new sign-ups in the US a free Starlink dish, which usually costs $349. In return, interested customers had to subscribe for 12 months.
Although SpaceX wound down the free dish offer, the company has returned with this service discount, an apparent first. (And the dish is still cheaper at $175.) The deal means that over 12 months, a Residential plan subscriber will save $252; a Residential Lite user will save $180.
(Credit: Starlink.com)SpaceX recently revealed that Starlink’s customer base in the US has grown to over 2 million, up from 1.4 million a year ago. Outside the US, the company has been spotted offering the same discount on the monthly fee in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.