Dated, sourced notes on Starlink changes that affect the referral free month for new US customers.https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/en-usTue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/service-plan-descriptions-republished-october-2026/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/service-plan-descriptions-republished-october-2026/Starlink's US Service Plan Descriptions now carry a 2026-10-05 date. All eight free-month plans appear in them, alongside several plans that aren't on the list.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Starlink's list of US legal documents shows the Service Plan Descriptions (DOC-1728-44881-79) published 2026-10-05. Starlink doesn't publish a list of edits, and we don't hold the earlier version, so we can't say what changed. We read the current text against the plans Starlink's referral help article says the free month applies to.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Published 2026-10-05 by Starlink. Read by us 2026-10-06. Effective date: not stated separately on the page we read.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Anyone choosing a plan for a new order, and anyone between ordering and bill two who is thinking about switching plans or pausing.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> At checkout, pick a plan Starlink shows as eligible for the free month, and keep a listed high-speed plan running through two full billing cycles. Screenshot the plan you chose.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count). The referral help article still lists the same eight plans: Residential Lite, Residential, Residential 100 Mbps, Residential 200 Mbps, Residential Max, Roam 100GB, Roam 300GB and Roam Unlimited.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> Starlink, 2026-10-05 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.starlink.com/legal/documents/DOC-1728-44881-79; Starlink, 2026-10-05 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.starlink.com/legal; Starlink, 2026-04-09 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.starlink.com/support/article/1361c631-2c31-271a-732b-bab080fb1384; RV Mobile Internet, 2026-09-04 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/starlink-raises-personal-maritime-vessel-size-limit-from-40-to-60-feet/</p>termshttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/referral-terms-republished-october-2026/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/referral-terms-republished-october-2026/Starlink republished its US Referral Program Terms on Oct 3. It doesn't list the edits, so we re-read the full text. Here's what it says for new customers now.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Starlink's list of US legal documents shows the Referral Program Terms republished on Oct 3, 2026. Starlink doesn't publish what was edited, and we don't have a copy of the earlier version to compare, so we can't tell you what changed. We re-read the full current text and checked every rule this site relies on against it.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Published Oct 3, 2026; re-read by us Oct 5, 2026.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Anyone planning to order a new US Starlink through a referral link, and anyone who ordered recently and is waiting for bill 2.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> Follow the current rules below: order on starlink.com through the link, in one browser, and keep a high-speed plan through two full billing cycles.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> What the current text says: one free month on your chosen eligible plan, credited to your second monthly bill. New customers only, ordered directly on starlink.com, a service address in the same country as the referrer's, and Standby doesn't count toward the two cycles.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> Starlink, 2026-10-03 (retrieved 2026-10-05): https://www.starlink.com/legal/documents/DOC-1882-84808-83</p>termshttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/free-mini-rental-all-residential-plans/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/free-mini-rental-all-residential-plans/In September 2026 Starlink began offering the free Mini rental, by email invite, to Residential 100 and 200 Mbps customers, not just Max. It isn't shown at sign-up.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> The free Starlink Mini rental, earlier a Residential Max perk, is now offered to customers on other US Residential plans in select regions, with a smaller Roam discount than Max gets. Customers are invited by email with a "Claim Mini" button, one kit per customer. Reported by SatelliteInternet.com and Tesla North on 2026-09-22.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Reported 2026-09-22. SatelliteInternet.com says the change came quietly through customer emails and a support-page edit, with no public announcement.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Existing US customers on Residential 100 Mbps and 200 Mbps in select regions who get the email. Per SatelliteInternet.com, the offer doesn't appear during sign-up on the website.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> Nothing to do at order time. If you become a customer and later get the invite, read the rental and return terms in the email before claiming.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count). The free month is still one month of the plan you order, not a hardware perk.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> SatelliteInternet.com, 2026-09-22 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.satelliteinternet.com/resources/starlink-mini-free-rental-expansion/; Tesla North, 2026-09-22 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://teslanorth.com/2026/09/22/starlink-free-mini-rental-residential</p>billinghttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/ookla-h1-2026-starlink-speeds/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/ookla-h1-2026-starlink-speeds/Ookla's H1 2026 US report found twice as many Starlink users reaching the FCC 100/20 Mbps benchmark as a year earlier, with 17 states above 50 percent.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Ookla's US Broadband Performance Report for H1 2026 found twice as many US Starlink users reaching the FCC's 100/20 Mbps benchmark as a year earlier. In 17 states at least half of Starlink users reached it, up from none in H1 2025, per Broadband Breakfast on 2026-09-15.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Data period: first half of 2026. Reported 2026-09-15.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Anyone weighing Starlink at a US address. Results vary a lot by state.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> Use the 30-day return window to test the service at your own address; a state average can't tell you what your cell will do.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count).</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> Broadband Breakfast, 2026-09-15 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://broadbandbreakfast.com/ookla-starlink-performance-surged-in-first-half-of-2026/</p>networkhttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/router-4-wifi-7-announced/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/router-4-wifi-7-announced/Starlink announced Router 4, its first Wi-Fi 7 router, on 2026-09-09, Tesla North and Drive Tesla Canada reported. No price, country list or ship date was given.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Starlink announced Router 4 on its social media on 2026-09-09, Tesla North and Drive Tesla Canada reported. Both quote it as "the first Starlink router with a Wi-Fi 7 chipset," with indoor coverage of up to 3,500 square feet; Drive Tesla Canada adds support for up to 510 connected devices. Starlink said it will be "available soon in select areas." We have not found it on Starlink's own pages.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Announced 2026-09-09 (reported 2026-09-09 and 2026-09-10). Availability date: not stated.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Future buyers of a new kit, in areas Starlink hasn't named. Neither report says existing routers, current orders or plans change.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> Nothing to do for the free month. At checkout, read what the kit includes before paying, and screenshot the order summary.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count). The free month is one month of service on your plan, whatever router comes in the box.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> Tesla North, 2026-09-09 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://teslanorth.com/2026/09/09/starlink-router-4-wifi-7/; Drive Tesla Canada, 2026-09-10 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://driveteslacanada.ca/news/starlink-router-4-wifi-7-unveiled/</p>orderinghttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/personal-maritime-plan-not-on-free-month-list/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/personal-maritime-plan-not-on-free-month-list/Starlink began offering a Personal Maritime plan for small private boats in August 2026. The referral terms we read in October don't list it as eligible.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Starlink began rolling out a Personal Maritime plan for small personal vessels at $185 a month in the US, with unlimited data in territorial waters and Ocean Mode data at $6 per GB beyond them, Drive Tesla Canada reported on 2026-08-28. Applicants must register the vessel.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Reported 2026-08-28; offered by email to selected boat owners at first.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Owners of small private boats who lost long-range use after the July 2026 Roam changes. Not relevant to home or RV customers.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> If you want the free month, choose a plan that is on the eligible list in the referral terms. Personal Maritime isn't on it as of our 2026-10-05 reading.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count). The eligible list has five Residential plans and three Roam plans, and no maritime plan.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> Drive Tesla Canada, 2026-08-28 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://driveteslacanada.ca/spacex/starlink-launches-personal-maritime-plan/; Starlink, 2026-10-03 (retrieved 2026-10-05): https://www.starlink.com/legal/documents/DOC-1882-84808-83</p>eligibilityhttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/global-roam-ends-travel-rules-reach-existing/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/global-roam-ends-travel-rules-reach-existing/On 2026-08-17 Starlink's Global Roam plan stopped for existing customers and the 30-day abroad limit applied to every Roam account. The US-only picture is unchanged.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Global Roam was discontinued for existing customers on 2026-08-17, and Roam Unlimited use outside the registered home region became limited to 30 consecutive days (previously 60) for existing accounts too. New accounts had been on the new rules since 2026-07-14. Reported by Boat News on 2026-08-24.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Effective 2026-08-17 for existing customers. New customers: from 2026-07-14. Reported 2026-08-24.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Existing Global Roam customers, who had to move to another plan, and Roam Unlimited customers who travel outside the US and Canada.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> If you are ordering now, Global Roam is not an option and is not on the free-month plan list. Pick Roam Unlimited if you need travel abroad, or any Roam plan for the US and Canada.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count). The eligible list names Roam 100GB, Roam 300GB and Roam Unlimited. It does not name Global Roam.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> Boat News, 2026-08-24 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.boatnews.com/story/52442/starlink-roam-is-changing-its-rules-what-internet-access-options-remain-available-on-long-cruises; SatelliteInternet.com, 2026-07-16 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.satelliteinternet.com/resources/starlink-roam-international-travel-policy/</p>eligibilityhttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/residential-max-free-mini-returns/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/residential-max-free-mini-returns/The free Starlink Mini rental and half-price Roam for Residential Max were back on the US website by 2026-08-07, two months after being dropped.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Starlink reinstated a free Starlink Mini hardware rental, plus 50 percent off the Roam plan the Mini needs, for Residential Max subscribers in the US and Canada, iPhone in Canada reported on 2026-08-07. The perk had been removed in June 2026.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Reported 2026-08-07. Starlink did not announce a start date publicly, per the report.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Residential Max customers, new and existing, in the US and Canada. Other Residential tiers were added in September 2026 at a smaller Roam discount (see our later post).</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> If the Mini is part of why you'd pick Max, check that the checkout or your account shows the offer on the day you order, and screenshot it.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count). Residential Max and all three Roam plans are on the eligible list.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> iPhone in Canada, 2026-08-07 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/2026/08/07/spacex-revives-starlink-mini-hardware-bonus-for-top-tier-subscribers/</p>billinghttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/terms-of-service-republished-august-2026/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/terms-of-service-republished-august-2026/Starlink's US Terms of Service carry a 2026-08-06 date. Starlink doesn't list the edits. We checked the billing and return clauses this site relies on.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Starlink's US legal-documents list shows the Terms of Service (DOC-1020-91087-64) published 2026-08-06. Starlink doesn't publish a list of edits, and we don't hold the earlier version, so we can't say what changed. We re-read the clauses this site relies on.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Published 2026-08-06 by Starlink. Read by us 2026-10-05. Effective date: not stated separately on the page we read.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Every US customer. For free-month readers, the return window, the Payment Due Date and the cancellation timing are the parts that matter.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> Before ordering, note how your Payment Due Date is set and that the 30-day return window starts from it, not from delivery.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> As we read the 2026-08-06 text: your first charge comes on the earliest of activation, 7 days after delivery, or 30 days after shipping; later bills come on the same day each month; to avoid a month's charge you must cancel before that invoice is generated; and an undamaged kit bought on starlink.com can be returned within 30 days of the Payment Due Date for a full refund, including the first month's fee. Shipping and handling are not refunded.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> Starlink, 2026-08-06 (retrieved 2026-10-05): https://www.starlink.com/legal/documents/DOC-1020-91087-64; Starlink, 2026-08-06 (retrieved 2026-10-05): https://www.starlink.com/legal</p>returnshttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/starlink-12-million-customers/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/starlink-12-million-customers/Starlink had more than 12 million active customers in over 160 countries by the end of Q2 2026, per press reports. What that does and doesn't change for you.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Starlink had more than 12 million active customers in over 160 countries and territories, up from 10.3 million at the end of Q1 2026 and about 9 million at the end of 2025, according to a 2026-08-04 Crypto Briefing report citing Space.com.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Reported 2026-08-04, for the period ending Q2 2026.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Nobody's rules change. Growth matters most to people in busy areas, where Starlink uses congestion charges and waitlists to manage demand.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> Nothing to do. If you are in a busy area, check your address on starlink.com for any surcharge before ordering.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count).</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> Crypto Briefing, 2026-08-04 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://cryptobriefing.com/spacex-starlink-12-million-subscribers/</p>networkhttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/residential-kit-rental-fee-dropped/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/residential-kit-rental-fee-dropped/About a month after adding it, Starlink removed the $10 monthly kit fee on new Residential rentals, per a 2026-07-20 report. Rentals are back to $0 a month.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> The $10 a month kit fee added to new Residential rentals in June 2026 was removed "from new purchases of residential Starlink" after just over a month, SatelliteInternet.com reported on 2026-07-20. Rentals are $0 a month, with a $20 shipping fee, in areas where the rental is offered.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Reported 2026-07-20. The report does not give the exact day the fee came off. iPhone in Canada also described the fee as dropped in its 2026-08-07 report.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> New Residential customers ordering on starlink.com. The report says the free rental is only offered in designated regions with spare capacity.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> At checkout, read the kit line: it should show the rental cost and any shipping charge. Screenshot the order summary before you pay.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count). New Residential orders are still rentals, so a rented kit still has to go back if you cancel.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> SatelliteInternet.com, 2026-07-20 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.satelliteinternet.com/resources/starlink-rental/; iPhone in Canada, 2026-08-07 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/2026/08/07/spacex-revives-starlink-mini-hardware-bonus-for-top-tier-subscribers/</p>orderinghttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/roam-travel-abroad-limits-july-2026/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/roam-travel-abroad-limits-july-2026/From 2026-07-14 only Roam Unlimited works outside your home region, for 30 days at a time; the US and Canada now count as one region. What it means for Roam orders.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Only Roam Unlimited now includes travel outside your home country or region, capped at 30 days (down from 60), with ID-based travel registration. Roam 100GB and 300GB work at home only. The US, Canada and their territories now count as one region. Reported by SatelliteInternet.com and iPhone in Canada on 2026-07-16.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> New customers: from 2026-07-14. Existing customers: from 2026-08-17. Both dates per the 2026-07-16 reports.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Anyone ordering a Roam plan, including Mini buyers, who plans to use it outside the US and Canada. Road trips within the US and Canada are not affected.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> If you'll travel abroad with Starlink, check that the Roam plan you pick at checkout is Roam Unlimited, and read the travel-registration step. For US and Canada use only, any Roam plan works.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count). All three Roam plans are still on the eligible-plan list.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> SatelliteInternet.com, 2026-07-16 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.satelliteinternet.com/resources/starlink-roam-international-travel-policy/; iPhone in Canada, 2026-07-16 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/2026/07/16/starlink-roam-rules-change-canada-and-us-now-one-region/</p>eligibilityhttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/residential-max-mini-perk-removed-june/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/residential-max-mini-perk-removed-june/In June 2026 Residential Max lost its free Mini rental and half-price Roam. It came back in August. What it meant for new Max customers.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Residential Max stopped including a free Starlink Mini rental and 50 percent off the Roam plan the Mini needs, as reported by Drive Tesla Canada on 2026-06-10 and BGR on 2026-06-19, which gave 2026-06-15 as the end date.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Reported 2026-06-10; ended 2026-06-15 per BGR. Reversed in August 2026 (see our later post). Background: more than 90 days old.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> New Residential Max customers in that window, and anyone choosing Max partly for the Mini.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> Nothing to do now; the perk returned in August 2026. If a perk sways your plan choice, check it on the checkout page on the day you order.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count). Residential Max is on the eligible-plan list.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> Drive Tesla Canada, 2026-06-10 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://driveteslacanada.ca/news/starlink-adds-a-new-rental-fee-and-adjusts-residential-max-perks/; BGR, 2026-06-19 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://bgr.com/2198059/starlink-just-ended-two-of-its-best-free-perks/</p>billinghttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/residential-buy-option-removed-rental-only/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/residential-buy-option-removed-rental-only/In June 2026 new Residential orders on starlink.com became rental-only, with a monthly kit fee at first. What that changed for returns and the free month.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Starlink removed the option to buy the kit on new Residential orders and made them rentals, with a $10 a month kit fee, as reported by 9to5Google and Drive Tesla Canada on 2026-06-10 and RV Mobile Internet on 2026-06-16. (The fee was later dropped; see our July 2026 post.)</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Reported 2026-06-10. Background: more than 90 days old.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> New US Residential customers ordering on starlink.com. Existing owners were not affected, and Roam orders were not part of the change, per RV Mobile Internet.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> Read the kit line at checkout: rental or purchase, and its monthly cost. If you rent, keep the box; a rented kit has to go back when you cancel.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count).</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> 9to5Google, 2026-06-10 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://9to5google.com/2026/06/10/starlink-drops-purchase-option-raises-prices-for-some-plans/; Drive Tesla Canada, 2026-06-10 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://driveteslacanada.ca/news/starlink-adds-a-new-rental-fee-and-adjusts-residential-max-perks/; RV Mobile Internet, 2026-06-16 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/starlink-implements-10-rental-fee-for-residential-plans-new-customers-no-longer-own-their-dish/</p>orderinghttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/residential-roam-prices-rise-may-2026/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/residential-roam-prices-rise-may-2026/Starlink raised most US Residential and Roam prices by $5 to $10 a month in May 2026. Since the free month is one month of your plan, it is now worth more.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Residential 100 Mbps went from $50 to $55 a month, Residential 200 Mbps from $80 to $85, Residential Max from $120 to $130, Roam 100GB from $50 to $55 and Roam Unlimited from $165 to $175, as reported by Drive Tesla Canada, RV Mobile Internet and Advanced Television. A new Roam 300GB plan came in at $80.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Announced 2026-05-16 (press reports of Starlink's customer notice). New prices applied to new customers right away; existing customers from their first bill on or after 2026-06-18, per RV Mobile Internet. Background: more than 90 days old.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> New and existing US Residential and Roam customers. Roam 300GB was new, so it had no old price.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> Check the monthly price on the starlink.com checkout for the plan you pick. That figure, not an old blog post, is what one free month is worth to you.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count). The plan list in the terms covers all of the repriced plans.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> Drive Tesla Canada, 2026-05-16 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://driveteslacanada.ca/news/starlink-price-increase-us-canada/; RV Mobile Internet, 2026-05-16 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/starlink-roam-residential-and-standby-mode-price-increases/; Advanced Television, 2026-05-19 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.advanced-television.com/2026/05/19/starlink-raises-fees/</p>billinghttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/roam-300gb-plan-added/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/roam-300gb-plan-added/A Roam 300GB plan arrived in May 2026 between Roam 100GB and Unlimited. The referral terms we read in October 2026 list it as eligible for the free month.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Starlink added a Roam 300GB plan at $80 a month, sitting between Roam 100GB and Roam Unlimited, as reported by RV Mobile Internet and Drive Tesla Canada with the May 2026 price change.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Reported 2026-05-16. Background: more than 90 days old.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> People choosing a Roam plan: travelers, RV owners and Starlink Mini buyers.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> If you pick Roam, choose the plan at checkout through the referral link as usual. Roam 300GB is named on the eligible-plan list in the terms we read on 2026-10-05.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count).</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> RV Mobile Internet, 2026-05-16 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/starlink-roam-residential-and-standby-mode-price-increases/; Drive Tesla Canada, 2026-05-16 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://driveteslacanada.ca/news/starlink-price-increase-us-canada/; Starlink, 2026-10-03 (retrieved 2026-10-05): https://www.starlink.com/legal/documents/DOC-1882-84808-83</p>eligibilityhttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/standby-mode-fee-doubles/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/standby-mode-fee-doubles/Standby Mode doubled to $10 a month in May 2026. Standby still doesn't count toward the two billing cycles the free month needs.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> The monthly fee for Standby Mode, Starlink's low-cost pause option, went from $5 to $10, according to RV Mobile Internet, Drive Tesla Canada and Advanced Television.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Announced 2026-05-16, part of the same price change as Residential and Roam. Existing customers from billing on or after 2026-06-18, per RV Mobile Internet. Background: more than 90 days old.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Customers who use, or planned to use, Standby Mode. Per a later RV Mobile Internet report (2026-06-16), customers renting their kit cannot use Standby at all.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> If you are a new customer waiting for the free month, don't switch to Standby before your second bill. It doesn't count toward the two full billing cycles the referral terms require.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count). Starlink's help article still says Standby is not offered on promotional offers or select kit rentals.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> RV Mobile Internet, 2026-05-16 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/starlink-roam-residential-and-standby-mode-price-increases/; Drive Tesla Canada, 2026-05-16 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://driveteslacanada.ca/news/starlink-price-increase-us-canada/; Advanced Television, 2026-05-19 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.advanced-television.com/2026/05/19/starlink-raises-fees/; RV Mobile Internet, 2026-06-16 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/starlink-implements-10-rental-fee-for-residential-plans-new-customers-no-longer-own-their-dish/</p>billinghttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/click-to-cancel-rule-vacated-ftc-restarts/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/click-to-cancel-rule-vacated-ftc-restarts/A court threw out the FTC click-to-cancel rule in 2025; in March 2026 the FTC asked for comment on a new one. What US Starlink customers can rely on today.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> The FTC's 2024 Click-to-Cancel Rule was vacated by the Eighth Circuit in Custom Communications, Inc. v. FTC (2025). In March 2026 the FTC issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking asking for comment on revising its Negative Option Rule, including whether to bring back parts of the vacated rule, according to a 2026-03-23 analysis by the law firm BCLP.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Court decision: 2025. FTC advance notice: March 2026. No new rule is in effect. Background: more than 90 days old.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Every US consumer with a subscription, Starlink customers included. Nothing in Starlink's own terms changed because of this, as of our 2026-10-05 reading.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> Rely on Starlink's own terms for cancelling and returns, not on the vacated federal rule. Note your Payment Due Date and the date your next invoice will be generated.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count). Starlink's Terms of Service still say you must cancel before the next invoice is generated to avoid that month's charge.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP), 2026-03-23 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.bclplaw.com/en-US/events-insights-news/im-not-dead-yet-is-the-demise-of-the-ftcs-click-to-cancel-exaggerated.html</p>help-and-ruleshttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/congestion-charge-up-to-1500/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/congestion-charge-up-to-1500/In January 2026 Starlink's one-time demand surcharge for new Residential customers reached up to $1,500 in Alaska. Why it doesn't touch the free month.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> SatelliteInternet.com reported on 2026-01-27 that Starlink was still charging a one-time demand surcharge on new Residential orders in busy areas: up to $1,500 in Alaska, $500 in parts of the Pacific Northwest (down from $1,000), and $250 in many other areas.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Reported 2026-01-27. Surcharges vary by address and change over time. Background: more than 90 days old.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> New Residential customers at addresses Starlink marks as high-demand, and, per the report, former customers reactivating service there.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> Enter your exact service address on starlink.com and read the order summary for any surcharge line before you pay. Screenshot it.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count).</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> SatelliteInternet.com, 2026-01-27 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.satelliteinternet.com/resources/starlink-congestion-surcharge/; SatelliteInternet.com, 2024-11-18 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.satelliteinternet.com/resources/starlink-sold-out-waitlist-returns</p>orderinghttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/residential-plans-renamed-100-200-max/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/residential-plans-renamed-100-200-max/In January 2026 Residential Lite became Residential 200 Mbps, Residential became Residential Max, and a 100 Mbps tier arrived. How that maps to the free-month list.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> SatelliteInternet.com reported on 2026-01-14 that Residential Lite became Residential 200 Mbps, Residential became Residential Max, a new Residential 100 Mbps tier was added in select regions, and Roam 50GB became Roam 100GB. Residential Max came with an optional free Starlink Mini rental.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Reported 2026-01-14. The report does not give a separate effective date. Background: more than 90 days old.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Anyone choosing a Residential or Roam plan from January 2026 on. The report describes these as renames of the existing plans, so current customers saw new names too.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> When you check whether your plan gets the free month, look for either name. The Referral Program Terms we read on 2026-10-05 list both the old names and the new ones.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count).</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> SatelliteInternet.com, 2026-01-14 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.satelliteinternet.com/resources/starlink-max-100-mbps-plans/</p>eligibilityhttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/brief-global-outage-september-2025/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/brief-global-outage-september-2025/Starlink went dark briefly on 2025-09-15, with about 40,000 Downdetector reports. No cause was given. What it means for new customers in their first month.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> No rule changed. Starlink had a brief outage early on 2025-09-15. The Register reported about 40,000 Downdetector reports before service came back, and said SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Happened 2025-09-15 (early morning UTC). Reported the same day. Background: more than 90 days old.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Starlink users in many countries, according to the report. It was short, and service came back for most people quickly.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> Nothing to do about this past event. If you are new, keep your order confirmation and note your Payment Due Date so you know your return deadline.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count).</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> The Register, 2025-09-15 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.theregister.com/2025/09/15/starlink_outage/</p>networkhttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/regional-price-cuts-lower-demand-areas/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/regional-price-cuts-lower-demand-areas/In September 2025 Starlink cut plan and kit prices in some lower-demand US areas. Why that matters for what one free month is worth.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Broadband Breakfast reported on 2025-09-15 that Starlink cut prices in parts of the US with lower demand: Residential Lite listed at $59 a month (from $80), standard Residential at $85 (from $120), and the kit at $89, with discounted monthly rates for the first year in eligible areas.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Reported 2025-09-15. No end date was given in the report. Background: more than 90 days old, and plan names and prices have changed since (see our later posts).</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> New customers at addresses Starlink treated as lower-demand. Customers in high-demand areas did not get the cuts and could face a congestion charge instead, per the report.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> Treat the numbers as history. Check today's price for your own address on starlink.com before you order, and read the checkout for any first-year discount wording.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count).</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> Broadband Breakfast, 2025-09-15 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://broadbandbreakfast.com/starlink-slashes-u-s-prices-in-new-offer-across-several-rural-states/</p>billinghttps://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/global-outage-core-network-software-failure/https://starlinkfreemonthusa.com/news/global-outage-core-network-software-failure/On 2025-07-24 Starlink went down for about two and a half hours. What it means if an outage lands in your first month or your 30-day return window.Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT<p><strong>What changed?</strong> Nothing in the rules changed. Starlink service dropped for about two and a half hours on 2025-07-24. Starlink engineering VP Michael Nicolls said it was caused by a failure of internal software services that run the core network, as reported by Light Reading and Al Jazeera.</p><p><strong>When?</strong> Happened 2025-07-24, starting around 3 p.m. Eastern. Reported 2025-07-25. This is background: it is more than 90 days old.</p><p><strong>Who is affected?</strong> Customers in many US cities and other countries were offline, according to the reports. New customers who were inside their first month or their 30-day return window were affected in the same way as everyone else.</p><p><strong>What should you do now?</strong> Nothing to do about this past event. If you are a new customer, write down your Payment Due Date so you know when your 30-day return window ends, whatever the network does in the meantime.</p><p><strong>What stays the same?</strong> Starlink's Referral Program Terms, as we read them on 2026-10-05, still give a new customer one free month on the eligible plan they pick, credited to the second monthly bill. You still pay month one, still need to order the kit and plan on starlink.com through a current customer's link, and still need two full billing cycles on a high-speed plan (Standby doesn't count). The return window is still 30 days from the Payment Due Date under the Terms of Service.</p><p><strong>Source:</strong> Light Reading, 2025-07-25 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.lightreading.com/satellite/software-failure-triggers-nationwide-starlink-outage; Al Jazeera, 2025-07-25 (retrieved 2026-10-06): https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/25/elon-musk-sorry-after-starlink-satellite-internet-suffers-global</p>network