DISH Network and SpaceX’s Starlink just pulled off one of the more surprising pivots in the satellite and telecom space this year.
DISH has officially started offering Starlink internet plans in the U.S., bundling SpaceX’s satellite broadband service alongside its traditional TV packages. The move was first spotted via DISH’s own marketing materials, with the company pitching the bundle as a way to deliver “fast, reliable internet” even in remote areas where wired broadband options are limited or nonexistent.
According to DISH’s website, customers can now “get DISH and Starlink for the powerful, reliable service you need to watch and stream all your favorite content, even in the most remote locations.” The bundle combines DISH TV packages starting at $89.99 per month with Starlink internet plans starting at $80 per month. Starlink’s offering promises speeds of up to 400+ Mbps in the U.S., unlimited data, no upfront hardware costs, and free installation handled by DISH technicians, at least as part of this launch promotion.
What makes this partnership especially notable is the history between the two companies. Just a couple of years ago, DISH was publicly opposed to Starlink’s expansion, even going as far as suing SpaceX in an attempt to block the deployment of second-generation Starlink satellites. That legal battle ultimately went SpaceX’s way, but the tension between the two companies was very real at the time.
Fast forward to today, and the landscape looks very different. DISH is now owned by EchoStar, a company that has grown increasingly close to SpaceX. Earlier this year, SpaceX struck a massive $17 billion wireless spectrum deal with EchoStar to support its Direct to Cell satellite ambitions, a move that appears to have softened former rivalries across the satellite broadband space.
Starlink also seems to be steadily winning over competitors. HughesNet, a satellite broadband rival and another EchoStar-owned company, recently said it plans to steer residential users toward Starlink as it pivots its own business toward enterprise customers. DISH’s new bundle feels like a continuation of that broader strategy.
For consumers, especially those in rural or underserved areas, this DISH-Starlink bundle could be an appealing all-in-one option for TV and high-speed internet. For the industry, it’s yet another sign that Starlink is no longer just disrupting incumbents — it’s increasingly partnering with them.
