Starlink Doubles Mobile Global Plan Pricing – Now $400/mo!

SpaceX has once again caught customers off guard with an unexpected and unpleasant change to the service plans on offer.

The Starlink Mobile Global plan is doubling in price, from $200/month to $400/month.

This change is effective immediately for new customers, and will be effective for existing customers on this plan beginning August 16th, 2024.

Similar price increases (in local currency) are hitting Starlink Mobile Global customers outside of the USA as well - causing much consternation in the international overlander and cruising communities.

Most North American based travelers are not being impacted by this price increase, since the Mobile Regional plan price remains unchanged (for now) at $150/month.

But we can only assume that other changes must be coming to Starlink plan pricing - because the new Starlink Mobile Global plan pricing makes no sense if the Mobile Priority plan now costs less but offers more than Mobile Global.

Confusing changes is often just the name of the game when it comes to Starlink - and we expect there must be other changes in the works soon too.

But for now, here are all the latest details.

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Starlink’s Evolving Mobile Plan Options

Starlink has up until now offered three plans for mobile users:

• Mobile Regional ($150/mo) - This plan works on land anywhere SpaceX offers service on the same continent as your registered home address. It does not support usage on the open ocean, but works nearshore and on inland waterway. In motion usage is limited to speeds below 10 MPH, though this speed restriction is not currently being enforced. Also not currently enforced - according to the terms of service, you can only be out of your home country with this plan for a two month stretch without returning.
• Mobile Global ($200/mo - now $400/mo) - This plan works on land anywhere SpaceX offers service globally. Mobile Global however does not support usage on the open ocean, but works nearshore and on inland waterway. In motion usage is limited to speeds below 10 MPH, though this speed restriction is not currently being enforced.

Both of these plans offer unlimited data service that is deprioritized on Starlink's network, but they offer opt-in on-demand "Priority Data" for $2/GB that allows usage on the open ocean, underway at higher speeds, and at a higher relative priority to other customers on land.

The third plan option now seems out of place considering the new pricing of Mobile Global:

• Mobile Priority ($250/mo) - This plan offers the same capabilities as Mobile Global, but comes with 50 GB of Priority Data. Once your first 50 GB of usage in a month has burned through this data bucket, additional Priority Data can be purchased for $2/GB. 

In the past - Mobile Priority made little sense for most customers since Mobile Regional and Mobile Global customers could more effectively manage their needs by buying Priority Data only as needed.

But now - Mobile Global makes no sense since the 50 GB Mobile Priority plan offers way more capability than Mobile Global, for a much lower price.

Interestingly - Starlink has dropped Mobile Global from the Service Plans pricing grid on its website, and it is no longer offered as an option for new customers signing up.

But the new $400/mo Mobile Global option is available for current customers (even those with dormant accounts) to switch to.

Will Mobile Priority Pricing Change? 

There is absolutely no reason for Starlink customers to choose Mobile Global for $400/mo if Mobile Priority remains at $250/mo.

Which leaves people wondering - will Mobile Priority be doubling in price soon too?

Or perhaps SpaceX is just phasing out Mobile Global entirely - and this price increase is just an awkward way to force current customers to reconsider their plan.

Mobile Regional Plan - Staying The Same?

The Mobile Regional plan has been the default Starlink option for most nomads who aren't crossing oceans or conducting overland expeditions - and we expect that it will remain so.

There are rules in the Starlink terms of service that state you can only use Mobile Regional plans outside your home country for up to 2 months before you must return to your home country, but Starlink has not been enforcing this limitation to date. 

The change we suspect is coming to the Mobile Regional plan is that Starlink may begin enforcing these terms of service that require customers return to their home country every two months.

This will prevent people from activating service in countries with more affordable plans (like Mexico), and then using the service for a prolonged time in the USA or Canada.

On the other hand - these terms will also frustrate seasonal snowbirds who are typically away from home for more than two months at a time.

This might force some people towards the Mobile Priority or Mobile Global plans - or into playing games transferring service to themselves by opening a new account in the countries they are traveling into.

Concluding Thoughts

While Starlink continues to dominate the global market, especially in the boating community, unfortunately they have little competition to keep their prices in check. 

And since there are no contracts, that leaves Starlink open to make changes like this at the drop of a hat.

The no contract goes both ways. While you are not locked into any service contract with Starlink and can leave at any time, Starlink has made a habit of not grandfathering people in when price or plan changes take place. 

The plan you have today may not exist tomorrow so always have backups in mind that you may need to change to. 

While the latest price change is pretty major to those on the Mobile Global plans, it's currently not going to affect many US based nomads.

For those who are traveling internationally outside their home continent, with the current pricing moving up to Mobile Priority 50GB still remains fairly affordable option for most worldwide travelers.

Other travelers who are are more budget sensitive may choose to try to bounce their hardware service between countries with lower priced Mobile Regional plans as long as they can. 

This seems to be a pretty major change and we'll watch to see what if other price changes may follow. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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