Policyband

Policyband

D.C. Memo: Elon the Disrupter – Starlink Slashes 100 Mbps Promotional Price to $29 a Month, with Free Hardware

The 90-day promotion appears aimed at attracting new customers who have hesitated over upfront costs

Ted Hearn's avatar
Ted Hearn
May 06, 2026
∙ Paid

Headlines

■ FCC Asks D.C. Circuit to Dismiss Cases Against Nexstar-TEGNA Approval

■ Big Promotion: Carr Elevates Erin Boone to FCC Deputy Chief of Staff

■ Gomez, O’Rielly Clash over Foreign Ownership in Warner Bros. Discovery Deal

■ Charter Rolls Out New Mobile Option: Two Lines, One Phone

■ Analyst Kampis Faults NYC for Funding Public Broadband Networks

■ Opensignal Report: AT&T Has Fastest Converged Upload Speeds

■ CPUC Resisting Carr on Possible Nine-Digit SSN Lifeline Verification

■ Shentel Connects 6,700 Homes in Franklin County, Va.

■ NAB Launches Weekly Podcast Called ‘Air Time’

■ Point Broadband, Clearwave Fiber Aim for 1 Million Fiber Passings

■ People: CTIA Names Preston Wise as SVP of External and State Affairs

■ Nokia, Lockheed Martin Back 5G Systems for Use in Battle Zones


LEO: Elon Musk’s disruptive SpaceX is cutting prices for its Starlink satellite service, offering its lowest U.S. rates yet in a limited‑time promotion. The company dropped its monthly price to $29 for the first three months of its entry‑level Residential plan, which delivers speeds up to 100 Mbps. After the introductory period, rates return to the regular $50 per month. The mid‑tier service offering 200 Mbps now costs $59 per month, down from $80, while the top‑tier Residential Max plan with speeds exceeding 400 Mbps is priced at $99, reduced from $120. SpaceX is also waiving hardware fees in select areas by providing its satellite dish as a free rental. The promotion appears aimed at attracting new customers who have hesitated over upfront costs. While the $29 price tag grabs attention, the savings amounts to just $63 over three months before standard pricing resumes. The Biden administration’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which ran out of funding on June 1, 2024, provided a $30 discount on monthly Internet plans for low-income American, enough to pay for a full Starlink subscription – for the next three months, at least. (More after paywall)

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2026 Ted Hearn · Publisher Terms
Substack · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture