Thinking about subscribing to SpaceX’s satellite internet service provider, Starlink? Be warned: The company appears to have quietly jacked up a demand-based fee in certain states.
Redditors first began noticing the change this week while trying to get Starlink service in the Pacific Northwest, PCMag reported, finding that the “demand fee” at checkout was $500.
The outlet noted that this fee was previously set at $250 in April for areas where the service was nearing a preset customer limit. That $250 fee was itself increased from $100, back when it was known as the “congestion fee.” That’s all on top of the $350 price tag for the Starlink dish on its own.
A representative for Starlink did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to Starlink, the demand fee is charged in areas where its service is in high demand, and will be refunded if service is canceled within 30 days.
“In areas with high demand, there is an additional one-time charge to purchase Starlink services,” the company site says. “The additional charge depends on the location of your service address, the service plan you choose, and/or the Starlink kit you select. This charge will only apply if you are purchasing or activating a new service plan. If you change your service address or service plan at a later date, you may be charged the demand surcharge.”
For now, it appears that the increase is active only in Oregon and Washington, particularly around the Portland and Seattle metropolitan areas. For some customers, they may have no choice but to pay the increase.
“My house just happens to be on a road where the two options are either DSL or another company who refuses to extend their service to my address, even though they service the house across my street,” one Reddit user wrote in a post. “What gives? $500 is INSANE! Seems like a ridiculous charge to take advantage of those who don’t have other options.”
Starlink first launched in 2019 and provides internet service to customers via 7,000 satellites in low-Earth orbit. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
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