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| Setting up a Starlink Mini dish. |
Rumors are swirling that Starlink is preparing to revive its most affordable internet plan. However, this time, the budget-friendly option might not be for your home, but for your adventures. According to reliable sources, the coveted $40-per-month service could soon be offered as a roaming plan specifically for owners of the portable Starlink Mini dish.
This move could dramatically lower the entry cost for mobile satellite internet, making constant connectivity on the go more accessible than ever before.
A Brief History of the $40 Plan
For a short time, Starlink offered a "Residential Lite" plan in select, underserved regions. Priced at an attractive $40 per month, it provided basic service capped at 100 Mbps download speeds—a solid option for areas with few alternatives.
Recently, however, this plan vanished from availability in those same regions. It was replaced by a standard Residential plan priced at $80/month, which offers up to 200 Mbps and has seen a significant coverage area expansion. The disappearance of the budget tier left many wondering if Starlink was moving away from lower-cost offerings altogether.
The New Twist: From Residential to Roam
It appears the $40 plan is getting a second life, but with a major change in audience. Instead of targeting fixed homes, the resurrected plan is reportedly being reconfigured as a Roam plan for the Starlink Mini dish.
The Starlink Mini is the company's most compact and portable terminal, designed for life on the move, from camping trips to RV travels. Currently, roaming options for the Mini are limited. The cheapest is a 50GB capped plan for $50/month, while an unlimited mobile data plan costs a hefty $165/month.
The introduction of a $40/month roaming tier would fill a crucial gap in the market, offering a middle-ground option for casual travelers who need more than 50GB but don't require unlimited, premium-speed data.
As one well-known tipster with a strong track record hinted on Reddit, "There's a long boring technical explanation behind this," suggesting the change is more than just a simple price adjustment. They added that the new plan won't be "linked to the offer over coming weeks," hinting that more Mini dish promotions could be on the horizon.
A Push for Mini Dish Adoption
This potential new plan aligns with Starlink's broader strategy to boost adoption of its Mini hardware. The company is already experimenting with bundling the Mini dish for free with certain Residential plan subscriptions in select areas. This clever tactic ensures customers remain within the Starlink ecosystem even when they travel, seamlessly switching from home to mobile service.
However, it’s important to note that the rumored $40 roaming plan likely won't apply to those who received their Mini dish as a free rental. Those customers have already been offered promotional discounts, such as 50% off Roam plans for a period.
For customers who have purchased their Starlink Mini kit outright, however, this new plan could be the perfect fit. Since the Mini hardware has a maximum speed capacity of around 100 Mbps, the 100 Mbps cap of the $40 plan matches the dish's capability without leaving performance on the table.
The Bottom Line
If these rumors hold true, Starlink is strategically refining its product tiers. By repositioning its most affordable price point as a mobile offering, the company can:
- Boost Mini Dish Sales: A lower ongoing cost reduces the total barrier to entry for portable satellite internet.
- Capture the Travel Market: It provides a competitive, mid-tier option for RVers, sailors, and digital nomads.
- Simplify Its Lineup: Separating fixed and mobile budgets plans cleanly segments the market.
For now, potential customers eager for a deal should keep an eye on official Starlink announcements. The return of the $40 plan, tailored for the compact Starlink Mini dish available on Amazon, could be the game-changer that makes satellite internet a standard part of every travel kit.
Have you seen the rumors? Discuss this potential new plan and other Starlink tips in the community forums.
FAQ: Starlink's Rumored $40/Month Plan
Q: What was the old Starlink $40 plan?
A: It was a "Residential Lite" plan for fixed home use in limited areas, offering 100 Mbps speeds for $40/month. It has been discontinued and replaced with an $80/month Residential plan.
Q: Who would the new $40 plan be for?
A: It is rumored to be a Roam (mobile) plan specifically for owners of the Starlink Mini portable dish.
Q: How fast is the rumored $40 Roam plan?
A: It is expected to be capped at 100 Mbps download speeds, which matches the Starlink Mini dish's maximum capability.
Q: Can I get this plan if I got my Mini dish for free with my home plan?
A: Reports suggest this promotional plan will not be available to customers who are renting the Mini dish for free as part of a bundle. It is aimed at those who purchased their Mini kit.
Q: Where can I learn more about upcoming Starlink deals?
A: Follow reputable tech news sources and community discussions, such as those by informed users on platforms like Reddit.