SpaceX’s Starlink is rolling out another promotion — offering free Standard kits with a one-year Residential subscription in both Canada and the United States.
The deal eliminates the upfront hardware cost that has typically been one of the biggest barriers to entry for new customers, while also introducing reduced monthly service rates starting at C$90 in Canada and US$49 in the U.S. for select locations.
Free Equipment, But With Conditions
Under the new promotion, Starlink is providing its Standard hardware — which includes the satellite dish, Wi-Fi router, base, and cables — at no cost upfront. However, the equipment is considered a rental, not a purchase. If a customer cancels their service, they will be required to return the hardware to Starlink.
The company promotes the offer as a way to “get started with $0 upfront hardware costs,” highlighting that subscribers can experience speeds up to 400 Mbps, supporting everything from 4K streaming to online gaming and video conferencing.
By removing upfront hardware costs, Starlink is targeting customers who may have hesitated to invest in the service previously, especially in rural and remote communities underserved by terrestrial ISPs.
Limited Pricing Availability and Surcharges
While the lower monthly pricing is being advertised, early reports indicate it’s only available in limited coverage zones. Many regions in Canada and the U.S. still list higher service prices — and some addresses are showing a C$330 (or US$250) “demand surcharge” added to the initial setup cost.
This fee appears in high-demand areas where Starlink’s satellite capacity is nearing its limit. The surcharge model isn’t new — Starlink has used regional pricing adjustments in the past to manage network congestion and ensure bandwidth availability for existing users.
For now, the $0 hardware offer is available everywhere in Canada and the U.S., according to the company, though pricing and surcharges vary by region. Interested users can check their local availability and service rate by entering their address on Starlink’s official website.
