Imagine buying the Starlink Mini dish for just $165. With a newly released discount, you can—if you’re in Panama, El Salvador, or Jamaica. Starlink normally sells in those countries for $200, but the new discount really chops the cost. The Starlink discounts are a no-go in the U.S., though, and it appears the company is having some real issues, now reviving the “wait list” for some big U.S. cities.
Starlink discount—where there is “abundant network availability”
A SpaceX support document says, “In select markets in Africa, Latin America, and Oceania, new orders for Starlink Mini are eligible for a one-time discount in areas where Starlink has abundant network availability.”
Evidently, equipment on the planet itself is in good supply. It’s the SpaceX equipment issue overhead that’s causing the problem. It’s been a year since U.S.–based folks had to sit on a waiting list to sign up for the satellite internet service. But now, says technology site ARS Technica, things are tight.
Some U.S. cities see return of Starlink waiting list
The Starlink availability map shows that the system is “sold out” in and near several big West Coast cities. They include Seattle and Spokane, Washington; Portland, Oregon; San Diego and Sacramento, California. Farther south things are clamped shut too, hitting Austin, Texas.
Folks farther east are also in the no-go zone. Small areas of Colorado, Montana, and North Carolina have been hit with a waiting list for signups. Try signing up in any affected area, and you’ll get this unwelcome message at the checkout: “Starlink is at capacity in your area. Order now to reserve your Starlink. You will receive a notification once your Starlink is ready to ship.” Want to get on the list? You’ll need to plunk down a $99 deposit.
Even some folks where residential service is still available are feeling the pinch. Starlink is assessing a one-time $100 “congestion charge” in some areas where there are plenty of existing customers. Meanwhile, it looks as though it’ll be a while—if ever—before folks in the U.S. see a Starlink discount.
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Personally I would wait until he…ck freezes over before using anything musk owns.
Not quite what the NASA / BOEING crew that is stranded in space is thinking today but I guess they really have no choice if they want to return home and a part of The Golden Age.
Do you live in a remote rural area JB? With few if any options.
Is your opinion politicly driven?
JB…do you ever have anything of value to share? It is so sad that your “default” is anger and defiance…you really should “learn” about Musk instead of simply hating him…🇺🇸
You certainly have that right JB but I’m extremely satisfied with our StarLink subscription.
We rarely camp where there is WiFi, cable, DSL, dialup or O.T.A. television reception. In fact, cellular coverage is typically non-existent so our cell boosters are useless. But we still need to know the weather, access to reservations and contact with the outside world.
With StarLink, we get uninterrupted access to streaming media, live weather reports, internet access AND our cellphones work using VOIP in absence of cellular.
Folks can’t buy coffee or bananas here at the same price as El Salvador and Panama so maybe someone can write an hit piece article on that next…
Well said my friend! 🇺🇸
Well I like Musk and his products but I am not interested in discounted products in other parts of the world. We the USA usually subsidize the rest of the world by paying inflated prices.
This is another “cut and paste” PROPAGANDA driven article…if you want to truthfully know about Starlink simply go to the Starlink site. 🇺🇸
Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 Were we still working and traveling (rather than retired and traveling), then this satellite internet would be interesting, expensive, but interesting. As is, it is merely expensive. Thank you for the information! Have a great day and safe travels!