SpaceX has changed how Starlink customers can pause their service. A new Standby Mode is now available for $5 a month. This keeps the connection running at low speed instead of shutting it off. The free pause option is gone.
What Standby Mode offers
- Low-speed connection at around 1 Mbps download and 0.5 Mbps upload.
- Works for basic email, text-based messaging, device software updates, and keeping service ready for quick reactivation.
- Intended for light use and emergency access, not streaming or large downloads.
Where it can be used
- Available on Residential, Roam, and Priority plans.
- Not offered on Business or Enterprise accounts.
- Promotional plans cannot use Standby Mode for pausing.
Rules and limits
- Can only stay in Standby for up to 12 months. After that, Starlink may require moving to a different plan or limit account access.
- Returning to a previous Residential plan is not guaranteed. If that plan is full in your area, you may have to pick another option or wait for openings.
- Long-term Standby accounts might only have access to their account page until full service is restored.
Regional differences
- In the U.S., the $5 monthly fee gives unlimited low-speed data while paused.
- In some European regions, the €5 plan includes 5GB of high-speed data before throttling to the low-speed rate.
For travelers using Starlink Roam, this replaces free pausing and a discontinued $10 plan that once included 10GB of high-speed data. Now it will cost at least $60 a year to keep a dish connected when not in regular use.
For those in remote areas, Standby Mode provides a backup that can keep them connected for emergencies without paying the full subscription price. It can also serve as a safety net during internet outages.
Performance reports
Some users have found speeds slower than 1 Mbps. Playing a 480p YouTube video can be difficult since it usually needs around 1.5 Mbps. This has led to speculation that video streaming could be limited, similar to some airline internet services.
Still, the speeds are enough for voice calls, basic navigation tools, and simple text communication. Voice calls require only 12–64 kbps, which is well within the limits of Standby Mode.
Starlink has more than 7,950 operational satellites from over 1,505 launches. SpaceX is growing its service options to serve different needs and maintain customer ties. The $5 Standby Mode offers a way to stay connected at a lower cost for months when full service is unnecessary.
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