SpaceX’s Starlink is changing the game again—and this time, it’s targeting one of the biggest hurdles for new broadband customers: upfront equipment costs. In a bold new move, Starlink is offering free hardware to new residential users in select regions. That’s right—no $599 dish, no $499 promotional price, not even the more recent $349 discounted rate. Zero dollars.
But there’s a catch: not all addresses qualify, and there’s a 12-month service commitment required. So, before you get too excited, be sure to test your address on the Starlink site to see if this deal applies to you. If you do qualify, this could be one of the most affordable and high-performance options available—especially if you live in a rural or underserved area.
What’s Included in Starlink’s Free Hardware Promotion?
The hardware that Starlink is now offering at no cost under this limited-time promotion is the company’s standard residential kit. That includes:
- The Starlink dish (aka “Dishy McFlatface”)
- A Wi-Fi router
- Power cables and mounting hardware
This equipment is the same reliable tech that has brought high-speed internet to hundreds of thousands of customers around the world, especially in areas where cable and fiber aren’t options. But previously, that equipment could cost anywhere from $599 to $349 depending on availability and promotions. By eliminating this cost completely, Starlink is removing a major barrier to entry for many potential customers.
According to Starlink, the promotion is limited to areas where there’s currently excess network capacity. This includes parts of the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and several countries in Europe. Again, it’s essential to test your address to confirm eligibility. Starlink’s network is dynamic and optimized by region, so even within a city, one ZIP code might qualify and another might not.
👉 Check if your address qualifies here: Starlink.com
Plan Options: What Do You Get With Starlink Residential?
Starlink currently offers two main residential plans for new customers:
1. Residential Lite – $80/month
- Download speeds: 50–100 Mbps
- Upload speeds: 5–15 Mbps
- Latency: 25–50 ms
- May experience deprioritization during peak usage hours
2. Standard Residential – $120/month
- Download speeds: Up to 250 Mbps
- Upload speeds: 10–20 Mbps
- Latency: 25–50 ms
- Higher priority access to the Starlink network
Both plans include unlimited data—a major advantage over many traditional ISPs that throttle or cap bandwidth after a set threshold.
While Residential Lite offers a lower monthly price, keep in mind that during busy times of the day, you may see speed drops due to network deprioritization. Standard Residential is better suited for users with heavier bandwidth needs like video conferencing, streaming, or smart home device usage.
Fine Print: Important Conditions to Understand
As generous as this deal seems, there are important details that users should understand before signing up. Here’s what you need to know:
12-Month Commitment
To get the free equipment, you must agree to a one-year residential service contract. If you cancel before the year is up, Starlink will charge you a prorated cancellation fee. Essentially, the full hardware cost will be charged minus the number of months you’ve completed. This is their way of recouping the cost of the gear if you bail early.
30-Day Trial
Despite the 12-month commitment, new customers do get a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If you cancel within that window and return the equipment, you won’t be charged. That gives you one month to test things out risk-free.
$100 Surcharge in High-Demand Areas
In certain high-demand regions, Starlink is applying a $100 “demand surcharge”. So, even though the equipment is listed as “free,” this fee may still apply depending on your address. Again, use the address checker tool to see your exact pricing.
Why Is Starlink Doing This Now?
This promotion is not just a customer-friendly gesture—it’s a strategic business move. Starlink currently has more than 2.6 million active users globally, and its satellite constellation continues to grow every month. But in some areas, especially rural ones, Starlink has more bandwidth than it can monetize. Giving away hardware in those regions helps the company capitalize on existing infrastructure.
Moreover, this push is likely aimed at preempting the expansion of fiber optic networks funded by government programs like BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment). Many rural areas are set to receive fiber broadband in the next few years—but that’s still years away. By locking in customers now with free hardware and reliable speeds, Starlink can establish itself as the go-to option before fiber gets built.
Who Should Consider Starlink?
This deal is ideal for:
- Rural homeowners with no cable or fiber options
- Off-grid properties (as long as there’s a clear view of the sky)
- Remote workers or students who need better internet
- RV owners or digital nomads—though you’d want the mobile plan for that
If you fall into one of these categories and you qualify for the offer, Starlink may be the fastest, most cost-effective internet you can get in 2025.
Installation: DIY-Friendly, but There’s Help If You Need It
The included kit is designed for DIY installation, but it’s not always as plug-and-play as you might expect—especially when it comes to mounting the dish in a location with a clear view of the sky. For this reason, many users have turned to 5Gstore.com for installation accessories, mounting brackets, and tech support.
👉 Learn more about how 5Gstore can support your Starlink setup here:
At 5Gstore, we don’t just sell gear—we also help with:
- Mounting solutions for rooftops, poles, RVs, or sheds
- Cable management and power protection
- Custom network setups with backup options or 5G failover
- Configuring routers and mesh systems that work with Starlink
Want a Free Month of Service?
There’s one more perk for savvy shoppers: if you sign up for Starlink using a referral link, you’ll get your first month free.
👉 Use this referral URL to get your bonus:
https://www.starlink.com/?referral=RC-947074-27311-12
This is a limited-time offer, and the free month applies after your initial setup. Combined with the free hardware promotion, this creates one of the best new-customer deals in broadband right now.
Pros and Cons of Starlink’s Free Hardware Deal
Let’s break it down so you can decide if this is right for you:
✅ Pros:
- No upfront hardware cost ($349–$599 savings)
- Unlimited data
- High-speed internet in hard-to-reach areas
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee
- Compatible with mesh Wi-Fi and network expansions
- First month free with referral
❌ Cons:
- 12-month commitment required
- Limited to areas with extra capacity
- Speeds may vary depending on congestion
- Not suitable for indoor-only installs (requires clear view of sky)
- Not all addresses qualify
Final Thoughts
Starlink’s new “free hardware” promotion is one of the most aggressive moves we’ve seen in the broadband space. It lowers the barrier to entry for underserved communities and makes satellite internet more accessible than ever. But this isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
Before signing up, be sure to:
- Check if your address qualifies.
- Understand the monthly pricing and 12-month commitment.
- Consider your internet needs—especially if latency-sensitive applications like gaming or VoIP are important to you.
And if you do decide to join the Starlink network, don’t forget to take advantage of your free month with this referral:
👉 https://www.starlink.com/?referral=RC-947074-27311-12
For everything else you need—mounting help, cables, routers, and expert support—check out our Starlink support page:
👉 https://5gstore.com/landing/s/starlink_support/
