Starlink Gives Away Residential Kit Worth $349 for Free, but There Are Some Catches

SpaceX’s Starlink is offering new residential customers of its satellite internet service its $349 hardware kit for free. But it’s not free for everyone and there are some caveats to know about.

In a post on X, the company said, “$0 for the Standard Kit with 12-month residential service plan commitment, now available in select markets.” A link allows potential customers to check availability in their area and whether they’re eligible for the offer. A follow-up post read, “Terms apply. Read the FAQS on starlink.com to learn more.” 

In addition to the 12-month service requirement (beginning after a 30-day trial) — which can result in the $349 being charged if it’s not met — there’s an additional $100 charge for new service in areas where there’s high demand. And the month-long service charge varies by area. In some places it’s $80, in others, it’s $120 a month or higher.

According to Starlink, changing addresses, failing to pay bills on time, trying to transfer to another user or keeping the kit after canceling will result in a change fee. Countries included in the deal include Italy, Germany, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Austria, Norway, the Netherlands, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. Countries including the US, UK, New Zealand, Canada and Australia have partial availability.

Starlink is growing its customer base rapidly, but in CNET’s testing, the internet service is costly for what it provides. Still, for some in remote or rural areas, it’s one of the only options for high-speed internet.