SpaceX has updated the terms of its Starlink Mini rental program in the United States. Previously, the compact satellite terminal was only available to subscribers of the premium Residential Max plan. Now, all users with an active standard Residential subscription, including the base 100 Mbps tier, are eligible to participate in the program.
Under the new policy, customers can rent the Starlink Mini hardware at no additional cost, eliminating the need to purchase the device for $200–250. However, the mobile internet service itself remains a paid add-on. Users must subscribe to a separate Starlink Roam plan to enable connectivity while traveling.
The cost of the Roam service depends on the user's primary home plan. Subscribers on the Residential Max tier receive a 50 percent discount on the mobile subscription, while all other residential users are entitled to a 20 percent discount. The pricing for the Roam plan adjusts automatically if the user changes their primary home subscription.
Industry observers suggest this expansion of the rental program may be linked to the upcoming release of next-generation hardware. SpaceX has previously teased a second-generation Starlink Mini, which is expected to feature a thinner design and an integrated battery, although the company has not yet disclosed specific release dates or pricing for the new device.
