Starlink has replaced its traditional one‑time hardware purchase with a $10 monthly rental. New residential sign‑up pages list a $0 upfront cost and a recurring kit fee, mirroring the rental models used by cable and telecom providers. The kit includes the satellite dish and a home router, both essential for the service. It also mirrors cable‑company billing and could change how families budget internet expenses.

Pricing for broadband tiers also rose, adding $5‑$10 to each plan. Customers now pay $55 for 100 Mbps, $85 for 200 Mbps, and $130 for the “Max” tier that can reach 400 Mbps. A professional‑installation service costs $199, but the fee disappears for Max subscribers. The monthly fee also eases cash flow for the company while spreading costs for users. Rental applies only to residential plans in select countries.

The shift forces renters to keep service active; pausing is unavailable. Existing users can request a purchase by opening a support ticket, and kits remain available through third‑party retailers. PCMag observed the fee appearing on Starlink.com for new customers across the US, Canada, the UK, France, Australia and Mexico, suggesting a global rollout.