Starlink Cuts Hardware Prices to $175, Ends Free Pause Feature, Introduces Paid Standby Mode Amid Rising Competition

Starlink is reducing its hardware price to $175 from the previous $349 in select areas as competition intensifies in the satellite internet market with new entrants like Amazon, Viasat, and OneWeb. However, the company is also making changes to its service features, notably replacing the free pause feature for Starlink Mini users with a paid Standby Mode that offers unlimited low-speed data capped at 500kbps. This shift has drawn attention as some subscribers perceive it as a rate increase disguised under a new service model. Industry observers note that Starlink and Gogo will have comparable satellite terminal coverage in low Earth orbit by early 2026, marking a competitive landscape ahead.