After teasing it on Wednesday by way of Reddit, US Cellular revealed extra particulars about its new discounted bundle with the Starlink satellite tv for pc broadband service, together with pricing.
Whereas the beginning worth for a US Cellular/Starlink combo falls beneath $50 per 30 days for brand new US Cellular clients, discounted pricing for Starlink is nice for simply six months earlier than reverting to common pricing, which is $20 larger. US Cellular can also be tossing within the requisite Starlink gear freed from upfront prices, however it’s mainly a rental – clients should give it again in the event that they go away.
By pace tier, here is how US Cellular’s preliminary bundled pricing stacks up for brand new clients:
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US Cellular Limitless with Starlink’s 100Mbit/s residential tier: $47 per 30 days ($17 per 30 days for US Cellular and $30 per 30 days for Starlink)
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US Cellular Limitless with Starlink’s 200 Mbit/s residential plan: $77 per 30 days ($17 per 30 days for US Cellular and $60 per 30 days for Starlink)
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US Cellular Limitless with Starlink’s “resi Max” providing of as much as 400 Mbit/s: $117 per 30 days ($17 per 30 days for US Cellular and $100 per 30 days for Starlink)
Present US Cellular clients can even add on Starlink service for a similar per-tier worth.
Low cost is momentary
These bundles provide a brief low cost on the common pricing for Starlink’s residential tiers of $50 per 30 days for 100 Mbit/s, $80 per 30 days for 200 Mbit/s, and $120 per 30 days for the “Resi max” tier.
Based on the tremendous print, the beginning worth for US Cellular for brand new clients applies after they pay yearly, then reverts to present pricing after 12 months. The discounted Starlink pricing is nice for six months (paid month-to-month), then modifications to present pricing.
US Cellular can also be together with a Starlink Package for no upfront value or month-to-month charge. The equipment, which incorporates the Starlink receiver, router, cables and energy provide, sometimes run $349 per 30 days.
Nonetheless, that gear is taken into account “rented,” so US Cellular clients will probably be required to return the gear inside 30 days of canceling the Starlink service. In any other case, Starlink will cost the complete retail worth of the equipment. Prospects are additionally on the hook for any Starlink equipment losses, repairs and replacements, if they don’t seem to be returned in good situation.
Amongst different limitations, PC Magazine discovered that the providing isn’t obtainable in all areas, together with Mason County, Washington, the place “Starlink is at present congested, and new clients are required to pay an additional $1,500 ‘demand surcharge’ to enroll in the residential plans.”
Roaming possibility
US Cellular subs who join the Starlink max plan and need roaming capabilities can even opt-in for a Mini Package rental. When activated, the Mini Package will probably be in “standby mode with a small month-to-month charge,” the corporate defined.
These clients can then change to a high-speed Starlink Roam plan at a 50% low cost when they’re on the street. Starlink at present presents a pair of Roam plans: 100 gigabytes for $50 per 30 days, and limitless for $165 per 30 days.
Particulars concerning the deal arrive a day after founder and CEO Ahmed Khattak introduced that his pay as you go MVNO firm could be introducing bundles with Starlink with its Limitless Normal or Premium plans that run on the AT&T, T-Cellular and Verizon networks.
Whereas calling Starlink “the most effective LEO [low-Earth orbit] possibility on earth,” Khattak additionally hinted that the corporate’s “unification layer” would allow US Cellular so as to add extra low-Earth orbit choices. “The endgame is not multi-network. The endgame is World Multi-Orbit Convergence,” he added.
MobileX CEO: US Cellular ‘using the SpaceX hype wave’
The brand new bundle will probably be value watching to see if it generates demand for US Cellular and Starlink, which has greater than 2.5 million clients within the US and greater than 10 million worldwide. It additionally matches with Starlink’s ambitions to turn into rather more than a rural possibility.
The transfer might immediate different MVNOs to hunt out offers with Starlink or different satellite tv for pc broadband companies, together with Amazon Leo, which is scheduled to launch in mid-2026, in accordance with a letter to shareholders from CEO Andy Jassy posted Thursday.
However a minimum of one MVNO boss is doubtful concerning the thought.
In a submit on X, MobileX CEO Peter Adderton stated he is capable of keep linked with world roaming and close by Wi-Fi, and likened satellite tv for pc protection to “earthquake insurance coverage.” He additionally accused US Cellular of “using the @SpaceX hype wave.”
“Been touring the world and never as soon as thought, ‘I want I had satellite tv for pc.’ Between @mobileXus world roaming and native Wi-Fi, I have been coated all over the place. A month-to-month satellite tv for pc subscription? Seems like earthquake insurance coverage you’re paying for one thing you’ll nearly by no means use. The @mobileXus Pay-per-GB while you really want it… that is the actual mannequin,” Adderton wrote.
