The new cheaper Residential plan is designed for households with lower bandwidth needs. It still offers unlimited data but at reduced speeds. At $80 a month, it's much cheaper than the regular Residential service plan. https://www.notebookcheck.net/Starlink-Residential-Lite-New-affordable-plan-offers-unlimited-data-at-lower-speeds.970658.0.html
I'm guessing that Starlink has low penetration into those markets, likely due to OTHER providers having 'good enough' service a similar or lower cost then Starlinks $120mo standard plan.
Competition IS a good thing and the market will get even more interesting when the other LEO internet providers come online. :)
I noticed the Lite plan is not available in Florida yet. I'm in Florida and have had star link for over a year now. When I first got it the speeds were 90-120mbps down and 10-20mbps up. Today It its rare to see speeds over 50mbps down/15mbps up with speeds dipping into the 30mbps/5mbps on occasion. I attribute it to network saturation and hope starlink will get faster.
I really like starlink and keep it for the rock solid low latency in the 15-25ms ping range. I'm rural without any fiber option but tmobile cellular internet usually gets about 300-500mbps down and 10-15mbps up here. I keep it as a backup and for streaming... its downfall is consistent latency. Its usually 10-20ms pings but has random spikes in the 300-400ms range which isn't good for remote desktop which I use for work or for online gaming.
Musk games on starlink which helps keep the latency in check. Its really rock solid consistent on pings. Better than a lot of fiber connections ive used.
This is exactly the plan I would need, and yet not available in my area.
Never need more than 80 Mbps.
Quote from: Dan Ridenhour on March 02, 2025, 21:48:57I noticed the Lite plan is not available in Florida yet. I'm in Florida and have had star link for over a year now. When I first got it the speeds were 90-120mbps down and 10-20mbps up. Today It its rare to see speeds over 50mbps down/15mbps up with speeds dipping into the 30mbps/5mbps on occasion. I attribute it to network saturation and hope starlink will get faster.
I really like starlink and keep it for the rock solid low latency in the 15-25ms ping range. I'm rural without any fiber option but tmobile cellular internet usually gets about 300-500mbps down and 10-15mbps up here. I keep it as a backup and for streaming... its downfall is consistent latency. Its usually 10-20ms pings but has random spikes in the 300-400ms range which isn't good for remote desktop which I use for work or for online gaming.
Musk games on starlink which helps keep the latency in check. Its really rock solid consistent on pings. Better than a lot of fiber connections ive used.
Hey Dan - FYI it appears that Residential lite is not available for Florida at all. Starlink has a map up on their website showing what areas in the US are eligible: https://www.starlink.com/support/article/6e0a6781-d9e6-8cc1-153e-763daa011f9a
I imagine they're offering lower prices in the least dense areas of the US where their downlink stations are not saturated. A dead giveaway to me is that you can see the cell in Nevada where Las Vegas is does not have residential lite available but the rest of the state does! I imagine Florida will always be too dense for Starlink to offer an option like Residential Lite but of course they could change their pricing tiers/marketing strategies at anytime. There's also the $50GB Roam plan for $50/month - its great for backup/limited use options and its what I use for an off grid camp I have up in Vermont!
So how much is the equipment
Elon has a deep public opinion problem. Other options are here or will be soon.
$149 isn't really a price that would lock you to this platform. If not for the Elon-staib it might be worth it for a few months.
Quote from: E-lectric on March 09, 2025, 03:40:08Elon has a deep public opinion problem. Other options are here or will be soon.
$149 isn't really a price that would lock you to this platform. If not for the Elon-staib it might be worth it for a few months.
Nothing but high latency Hughes/DirectTV where I am at, and zero plans to change that. Starlink is basically our only realistic option.