SpaceX has announced the discontinuation of its budget-friendly Starlink Roam 10GB plan, which was priced at $10 per month. Subscribers in the United States, Canada, and Australia began receiving messages regarding this change as early as Thursday.
The company communicated via email to current Roam 10GB customers, stating, “We’re reaching out because you have a Starlink subscribed to Roam – 10GB (Mini). In 30 days, your plan will be discontinued.” While the email did not elaborate on the reasoning behind this decision, SpaceX confirmed on its support page that the plan will no longer be offered. Existing subscribers can continue to utilize the service in the short term, with SpaceX promising to provide advance notice of any future changes to facilitate smooth transitions.
Introduced in March 2023, the Roam 10GB plan gained popularity for its affordability, catering to those looking for portable satellite internet solutions for travel or temporary access. Users appreciated the 10GB data limit, although additional charges applied for exceeding this amount; it was particularly useful for customers using a Starlink Mini dish for purposes like camping.
Upon discontinuation of the plan, subscribers will be transitioned to the “Standby Mode” for $5 per month, which offers unlimited data but significantly restricts speeds to 0.5 Mbps or less. SpaceX is also promoting an updated Roam 100GB plan, available for $50 per month. This enhanced plan allows users to access unlimited data once the monthly cap is met, albeit at reduced speeds under 1 Mbps. As an incentive, SpaceX is offering an 80% discount on the Roam 100GB plan for the first two months to affected customers.
The response from users has been mixed, with many expressing frustration over the change. One user noted the plan’s adequacy for their needs during camping trips while on call for work, lamenting the transition to a less favorable standby option. Another user emphasized the need for a plan that fits between Standby Mode and the more robust Roam 100GB.
The decision to phase out the Roam 10GB plan did not come as a complete surprise to some users, as they had previously identified its removal as an option from the Starlink app late last year. Despite the transition, SpaceX’s existing customers may find hope in the new offerings that could better meet their evolving satellite internet needs.