Starlink takes page from cable firms with $10 monthly rental fee for hardware

In a notable shift from its previous sales model, Starlink has implemented a monthly rental fee of $10 for its hardware. This marks a departure from the company's longstanding approach of selling equipment to customers for a single payment. Customers now encounter an initial hardware cost of $0 when ordering Starlink's services, alongside the new monthly kit fee. This strategy mirrors the rental practices of traditional cable and telecom providers. The hardware package includes a satellite dish for signal reception and a router for home internet access. This rental fee is separate from the costs associated with Starlink's internet services, which have recently seen a price increase of $5 to $10 per month. The current pricing structure includes $55 monthly for 100Mbps, $85 for 200Mbps, and $130 for the Max plan that offers speeds of up to 400Mbps. Additionally, Starlink offers professional installation for a one-time fee of $199, or at no cost for subscribers of the Max plan. According to a support article from Starlink, this rental option is being rolled out in select countries, specifically for residential service plans. However, customers who choose to rent the hardware will not have the option to pause their service. Reports indicate that this $10 rental fee is becoming available globally, with new customers in countries such as the US, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, and Mexico already seeing it on Starlink's website. Currently, the option to purchase hardware is not visible during the sign-up process. Nevertheless, the support documentation states that existing customers who opt for the rental model can transition to ownership by submitting a support ticket. Additionally, Starlink kits are available for purchase through various retailers.