TECH

SpaceX now offers 33% cheaper refurbished Starlink kits and $1 satellite Internet trial in the US, Australia, and New Zealand

The $1 subscription offer for Starlink satellite Internet is available in select states with a monthly fee refund, while SpaceX has found a way to sell Starlink kits on the cheap.

SpaceX is trying to mitigate the biggest upfront cost for subscribing to its satellite Internet service, namely the new Starlink gear, by offering refurbished kits.

The used Starlink dish, router, and installation paraphernalia will set one back $399 instead of the usual $599 that SpaceX charges for new gear.

SpaceX is now undertaking a retail push, with Starlink Standard Kits now available at Best Buy, as well as Costco, Home Depot and, recently, even Target.

Since there isn't much to wear off or break in the new powerful antenna or Wi-fi 6 routers, Starlink Internet subscribers can now acquire the gear on the cheap with little worry.

As another incentive, SpaceX is offering a $1 satellite Internet subscription trial, which allows the user to test Starlink for just a dollar before deciding to return it.

They can return the Starlink kit they bought for a buck, while the $120/month residential service fee they were charged for the 30-day trial period will be refunded, too.

"Full refund includes the $1 hardware charge plus the first month of service charge," says SpaceX. The shipping cost to return the kit is not included in the refund. SpaceX will send a prepaid return label via email if the service is cancelled before the 30-day trial period is over, though.

The $1 Starlink trial offer, however, is only available to new customers in select states in the US, as well as Australia and New Zealand, as a way to popularize the service in remote areas.

mundophone