SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service is introducing major price increases for its Starlink Roaming plans, impacting users who need global connectivity while on the move.
The price hikes, which go into effect immediately for new customers and on August 16th for existing subscribers, appear to be aimed at closing loopholes that allowed roaming access in regions where Starlink lacks regulatory approval.
In Kenya, the price for the Starlink roaming plan is doubling from KES 7,900 per month to a steep KES 14,000 monthly fee. US users have reported even sharper hikes, with roaming costs spiking from $200 to $400 per month.
A customer in Zambia also confirmed facing a similar price escalation.
Cracking Down on Loophole Access
While SpaceX did not provide an official rationale for the roaming plan price changes, the moves closely follow the company’s recent crackdown on subscribers leveraging the mobility features to permanently access Starlink in countries where it has yet to receive operational licenses.
Just last month, SpaceX warned roaming users in several African nations that the “Mobile – Regional” options are “intended for temporary travel and transit, not for permanent use in a location.” By significantly increasing roaming costs, SpaceX likely aims to curb such practices and drive adoption of its licensed residential plans.
Residential Pricing Remains Unchanged
Notably, the new price increases only impact Starlink’s roaming tiers designed for mobile usage scenarios. The company’s core residential plans, intended for homes and fixed locations, will maintain their existing pricing structures in each market.
Also Read: Starlink now available on Jumia in Kenya
In Kenya, for example, the residential Starlink plan remains priced at KES 6,500 per month, providing download speeds between 25-220 Mbps through a standard satellite dish and router setup. This tier serves users who do not require global roaming capabilities.
Limited-Time Kenyan Hardware Discounts
To further bolster residential subscriber growth in the Kenyan market, Starlink is currently running an aggressive limited-time promotion on its hardware installation kits.
New customers can purchase the required dish and router at a 55% discounted price of just KES 39,500 – a substantial savings compared to the regular KES 89,000 retail cost.
Kenyan consumers can take advantage of this attractive deal through the newly-onboarded Jumia online retail platform, which now serves as an official Starlink distributor for the region.
Starlink Roaming vs Residential Packages – What’s the Difference?
Starlink offers two distinct plans to cater to different user needs: the Starlink Residential plan and the Starlink Roam plan.
Starlink Residential
The Starlink Residential plan is tailored for users with a fixed location, such as a home or a cabin. This plan is ideal for those who do not require mobility and want a stable, high-speed internet connection.
It offers download speeds ranging from 25 to 220 Mbps, providing a robust and reliable internet experience.
Additionally, the cost of the Residential plan is lower, at KES 6,500 a month, making it a more economical choice for stationary users. The equipment for this plan includes a standard satellite dish and router.
Starlink Roam
In contrast, Starlink Roam is designed for users who need internet access while on the move, such as digital nomads or maritime customers. This plan allows for connectivity in various locations, either regionally within a continent or globally.
Starlink Roam typically offers download speeds between 5 and 50 Mbps, with the option to upgrade to Mobile Priority for speeds up to 220 Mbps at a significantly higher cost.
The monthly fees for Roam are higher compared to the Residential plan, with the Roam Regional plan costing around KES 14,000 per month and the Roam Global plan KES 34,910 per month.
Users also have the option to pause the service when it is not needed, adding flexibility for part-time travelers. The Roam plan offers a choice between a standard dish and a high-performance dish, the latter being more suitable for in-motion use due to its enhanced capabilities and higher cost.
