Image: Starlink
SpaceX has rolled out a new “Standby Mode” for its Starlink satellite internet service in the U.S., Canada, and beyond, offering unlimited low-speed data for $5 USD per month. According to Starlink, the new plan is “perfect for backup connectivity and emergency use,” allowing paused users to keep basic connectivity for emergency messaging, easy reactivation, and possibly even some light internet browsing.
Standby Mode is replacing Starlink’s existing Pause feature, which previously let subscribers suspend their service at no cost. Now, anyone looking to pause will need to opt in to Standby Mode — or risk having their account canceled. “Got an email saying if the switch isn’t made by September 12, service will be canceled,” one Reddit user noted.
Fortunately, Starlink allows users to cancel and restart service whenever they want, at no extra cost. “Previously, the pause feature offered zero data at no cost. If pausing with Standby Mode does not meet your needs, you are able to cancel at no cost and restart service on an available plan whenever you’re ready,” Starlink says on its updated Standby Mode support page.
Users who’ve tested the new mode reported speeds of roughly 0.46 Mbps down and up, with latency still solid. That’s fast enough for text-based browsing, email, messaging apps, and even Wi-Fi calling — but painfully slow for video streaming or heavy media use. “Browsing Amazon for shopping isn’t bad. Just getting youtube.com to load is painful,” said one Starlink subscriber on Reddit.
The change impacts multiple Starlink hardware models, including the Roam Gen 2 and the compact Mini dish. “You can pause with Standby Mode on all Roam, Residential, and Priority plans,” said Starlink. In some regions, including Canada, Standby Mode is being automatically applied to paused Roam plans.
This update arrives just days after Starlink slashed its Residential and Residential Lite monthly rates for new U.S. customers and cut the price of its standard hardware kit in half. The company is also reportedly working on allowing multiple subscribers to share a single dish, potentially lowering hardware costs even further.
