SpaceX's Starlink has introduced a significant speed cap for users on its Priority Plans, limiting speeds to 1 Mbps for downloads and 0.5 Mbps for uploads once they exceed their monthly data quota.
This move eliminates the previous "Unlimited, Standard Data" offering, representing a significant shift in how Starlink manages bandwidth for its higher-paying customers.
Previously, users on the Priority plan could still receive reasonably fast broadband despite surpassing their priority data cap. However, with this latest change, users either pay for additional data at premium rates or accept effectively unusable speeds for modern internet requirements. Starlink now charges $25 per 50GB or $125 per 500GB for additional Local Priority data, while Global Priority users face significantly higher costs at $100 per 50GB and $500 per 500 GB.
The Priority Plan, introduced in 2023, was designed for users who want constant high-speed internet, particularly businesses. However, these additional restrictions frustrate many users, and some are considering returning to the residential plan. Starlink has complicated such transitions, making it difficult for some Priority subscribers to downgrade due to network capacity limitations.
Starlink has expanded its Priority offerings to include local and global tiers. The Local Priority plan now includes mobile land use within a single country, while Global Priority covers international oceans and locations. In addition to data costs, both plans include an additional "terminal access fee" of $40 per month for Local Priority and $150 per month for Global Priority.
While these changes may push businesses to spend more for consistent speeds, they also present issues for individual users, especially those who rely on Starlink for Home or remote work. Removing unlimited fallback speed complicates cost management, and Starlink's frequent plan changes only add to the uncertainty.
As consumer dissatisfaction grows, whether Starlink will change its strategy or continue to promote more expensive data blocks as the primary solution remains to be seen.