(Credit: SpaceX)
One of Starlink’s cheapest plans, Roam 10GB, is no more. SpaceX is telling subscribers it’s discontinuing the $10-per-month plan.
On Thursday, Starlink subscribers in the US, Canada, and Australia reported receiving an email from the company about the plan’s demise. “We're reaching out because you have a Starlink subscribed to Roam - 10GB (Mini). In 30 days, your plan will be discontinued,” SpaceX wrote in one such email that a Facebook user received.
The email doesn’t explain why Roam 10GB is being retired. But on a support page, SpaceX says it’s no longer offering the plan. Although existing subscribers can continue using it, the page notes: "Should any changes occur, we’ll notify you in advance to make the transition as smooth as possible."
(Credit: Facebook Starlink Support group)The company first introduced Roam 10GB to existing subscribers last March, quietly making it an option for the Starlink Roam lineup, which lets you access the satellite internet system from more than one location.
Since then, some subscribers have used the plan for the portable Starlink Mini dish. Roam 10GB stood out for its low price, making it an attractive option for Starlink customers looking to use satellite internet as a temporary backup or for short trips. The plan restricted the monthly data to 10GB, requiring the user to pay extra for each additional GB consumed.
To replace the plan, SpaceX is switching affected customers to the $5-per-month “Standby Mode,” which offers unlimited data but limits speeds to 0.5 Mbps or less.
The company is also encouraging users to check out the revamped Roam 100GB plan, which costs $50 per month. Once the 100GB monthly data cap is exceeded, users can continue to receive unlimited data, but at speeds under 1Mbps.
For affected customers, SpaceX’s email adds: “If you'd prefer to try our new Roam 100GB plan, we've placed an 80% discount on that plan to your account for the next two months.”
Still, some users are upset about the change. “I have this plan on my [Starlink] Mini for when I go camping and have to be on-call for work. It was the perfect amount of data at such a great rate. Guess I’ll be on standby now," wrote one user on Reddit.
“They really need something between Standby and Roam 100GB,” added another Reddit user. “Especially for people who are using a Mini as their secondary dish.”
The change isn't a complete surprise. Some users spotted SpaceX removing the Roam 10GB as an option from the Starlink app last year.