Starlink has introduced a new pause policy for Starlink Mini devices, and now to suspend high-speed, low-latency internet they charge $5 per month. In the areas of coverage, this affects Roam, Residential, and Priority subscribers in the United States, most European countries, and Canada, but with a sizable number of exceptions.
SpaceX jokingly calls it an update, but many users see it as a crafty move for those who bought Starlink Mini with the promise “pay as you go”.
New Pause Policy: From Free to Standby Mode
Instead of a free pause, there is now a Standby mode for $5 per month, promising “unlimited low-speed traffic” and intended for backup or emergency use. In a letter to subscribers they explain that Standby can deliver speeds of about 0.5 Mbps in active mode, while on a typical Roam plan speeds are often above 100 Mbps.
SpaceX has long positioned Starlink Mini within Roam as a “pay-as-you-go” service – a perfect option for rare trips, travel, and on-the-go work at parking lots, campers, travelers, and mobile work. The updated page continues to talk about payment for usage, but adds “a small monthly fee” that changes the meaning of the service. The main appeal of Mini was its portability – a device in a backpack and the ability to pause the subscription when you do not need mobile connectivity at home. Now these conditions are not so simple anymore.
An explanation of Standby pricing does not change the core idea: Starlink Mini at $499 / €299 continues to be a mobile internet solution for travel, but the additional monthly fee may reduce the economic sense of such a purchase, especially for users who use the system mostly in summer or during trips.
How This Affects Mini Plan Users and Travel Budgets
The main advantage of Starlink Mini is having internet in a portable device with the ability to deploy quickly in remote locations. A second advantage was the ability to pause the subscription and not pay during periods of no use, as well as quick reactivation if home internet failed. Now, for those who planned seasonal trips, the new terms mean additional costs throughout the year without the convenient use.
There is a note in the FAQ to pay attention to:
«Recently we updated the pause feature by adding Standby mode. Previously, the pause feature offered zero traffic for free. If Standby mode does not meet your needs, you can cancel the subscription for free and resume service on an available plan when you’re ready.»
Canceling the subscription has become less convenient: you have to go to the website and answer questions, even though the Standby and Pause features themselves remain available in the app. In my case, I decided to reduce Roam usage and cancel the Mini subscription if I do not plan to use it until November, to avoid the €5 monthly fee. I also received a notice about a possible warning against reactivation in case of network congestion in my region.
Market expectations indicate that competition in the space internet industry is growing. The possibility will appear with new services like Kuiper from major players, which could change the game, making affordable and fast internet more transparent and convenient for mobile use in areas with poor coverage.
To conclude, Standby is not just the name of a new mode, but a change in the pricing model and expectations from using Starlink Mini. If you plan trips or frequently return home, it is worth carefully assessing your backup connectivity needs and weighing costs against real usage.
Key takeaways are that Starlink Mini remains a portable solution, but the new Standby mode requires reevaluating the budget and usage scenarios. Explore options and plan your trips with the new terms in mind so you don’t overpay for unnecessary service at the most inconvenient moment.
In the future, it is worth expecting clearer explanations from the provider and potential alternatives in the mobile space internet market, so that every user can choose the most rational solution for their needs – from work on the go to backup connectivity during leisure.