SpaceX has introduced a new budget-friendly Starlink plan in Australia aimed at inactive users and those seeking a backup connectivity option. The plan is the cheapest ever offered by Starlink, but it comes with a major caveat.
The new “Backup” plan is exclusively available to existing or former Starlink subscribers in Australia for just AU$15 (C$13.42/US$9.33) per month. Customers who previously paused or canceled their subscriptions can reactivate their accounts to enroll in this lower-cost alternative. However, new customers are not eligible for the plan.
The caveat is that subscribers opting for this plan receive just 5GB of monthly data. Should they exceed this limit, they can purchase additional Roam data at AU$3 (C$2.68/US$1.87) per GB, allowing for continued connectivity but at a relatively high cost compared to other data plans.
Wow smart move. @Starlink offering backup connectivity at $15/mo AUD for 5GB of Roam data.
— Electric Future (@electricfuture5) January 15, 2025
I may have got this email as my service is ending this month as I only needed it for travel. Great way for Starlink to still get some $$ coming in pic.twitter.com/9kmWZLa83v
Starlink’s new plan appears to be a move to generate revenue from inactive hardware. Since Starlink operates on a contract-free model, many customers purchase the necessary equipment but do not maintain an active subscription year-round.
By offering a low-cost plan, SpaceX is attempting to capture additional revenue from users who may only need occasional access to satellite internet.
The new plan has received mixed reactions. Supporters argue that it provides a valuable backup option in regions with unreliable wired internet service. In remote areas where outages are common and mobile service is weak, having even limited satellite internet access can be beneficial. Additionally, since Starlink’s hardware remains installed even when a service is inactive, a pay-as-you-go backup plan makes sense for those seeking emergency connectivity.
However, critics highlight the plan’s shortcomings. Many point out that 5GB is an extremely low data allowance, considering modern internet usage habits. Streaming a single hour of HD video could exceed this limit, rendering the plan nearly useless for anything beyond basic web browsing and emails.
