- Standby
- Source: press report (secondary)
- Background · over 90 days old
- Independent, not affiliated with SpaceX
- Announced / first reported
- Effective
- From the report date; when switched on mid-cycle, Standby starts at the next billing cycle
- Published
- Last updated
Background. This change happened more than 90 days ago. It is kept as a dated record; check current prices before relying on any figure below.
What changed
On August 13, 2025, RV Mobile Internet and DishyTech reported two changes on starlink.com:
- Free pausing ended. It was replaced by Standby Mode at $5 a month, which keeps the account and dish active with unlimited low-speed data. Starlink’s description, as quoted by RV Mobile Internet, says it “provides unlimited low-speed data for emergency messaging, ongoing Starlink software updates, and easy reactivation in dead zones for a small monthly fee.”
- The $10-a-month Roam 10GB plan was removed from sale. It had been on offer since March 2025.
| Item | Before | After | Change per month | Change per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pausing service | $0 (free pause) | $5 (Standby Mode) | +$5 | +$60 |
| Roam 10GB | $10, on sale | Off sale for new orders | n/a | n/a |
Both reports gave the Standby speed as about 500 Kbps, enough for messaging and email, not video.
Who it affected
- Residential customers, who could use Standby for the first time (DishyTech reported it was previously a mobile-plan feature).
- Roam customers who used to pause for free between trips.
- Roam 10GB subscribers kept their plan for the time being; RV Mobile Internet said existing customers retained access. They were later moved off it (January 2026 post).
- Business and some promotional plans were reported as not eligible.
What it did to the cost
For anyone who paused for part of the year, each paused month went from $0 to $5. A seasonal user who pauses six months a year pays $30 more per year, or $90 over three years. A user who pauses all twelve months pays $60 a year.
The comparison that matters is Standby against cancelling. Cancelling costs nothing per month, but DishyTech quoted Starlink’s warning: “Pausing with Standby Mode does not reserve your spot on a Residential plan.” So the $5 keeps the account and the dish online; it does not guarantee you get your old plan back in a full area.
What stayed the same
- Active plan prices did not change in this announcement.
- Standby takes effect at the next billing cycle if switched on mid-month, per RV Mobile Internet; leaving Standby mid-month changes the plan right away with prorated charges.
- Unused data blocks do not carry over when you return to a regular plan.
What happened next
Standby doubled to $10 a month in May 2026 (May 2026 post), and an April 2026 change to the support page affected whether a surcharge can apply when you resume (April 2026 post).
What to check yourself
- Add the paused months in the calculator to see what Standby adds over a year at today’s price.
- The hidden fees guide compares Standby with cancelling and restarting.
- Read the current Standby support page before pausing; it lists which plans and kits can use it.
What we don’t know
- Starlink did not say how long free-pause users had before being switched; reports describe it as the next billing cycle.
- We could not open an August 2025 capture of the support page; figures are as reported.
Sources
Corrections
Independent, not affiliated with SpaceX or Starlink. Links to Starlink’s plan pages in this post use the site owner’s own referral link; your price is the same.See the price history, how we verify prices and the corrections log. Published Oct 6, 2026.