Starlink subscribers can now enjoy affordable Internet plans without needing to live in India. Although India is rumored to offer a $10/month plan, residents of New York can access Starlink for just $15 a month. This significant discount is part of Starlink’s Residential Lite plan, introduced recently by SpaceX, making it accessible to certain New York residents at a fraction of the usual cost.
This initiative is a response to the New York Affordable Broadband Act, which recently took effect. The standard Starlink Residential plan costs $120 per month, providing unlimited data with speeds up to 400 Mbps, depending on SpaceX’s satellite coverage. In contrast, the $80 Residential Lite plan offers deprioritized data at speeds as low as 40 Mbps. However, for low-income residents who qualify, there’s an even more economical choice: a $15 plan offering 25 Mbps.
To qualify for this $15/month deal, residents must meet criteria set by the New York Affordable Broadband Act. These include participation in programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, or receiving rent increase exemptions or utility affordability benefits. Eligible households must submit their supporting documents with a Residential Lite service plan that matches their address for approval.
While these low-income New Yorkers can benefit from the affordable plan, they must purchase their own $350 Starlink Standard Kit, now available at a discount, to subscribe to the Residential Plan service. Initially, Starlink attempted to bypass the act by claiming fewer subscribers than required by the legislation. However, anticipating exponential growth in its customer base, Starlink opted to comply with the program, now offering 25 Mbps Internet speeds for just $15 a month to qualifying residents.
