Starlink’s two $55 plans diverge on speed and data caps

According to Engadget, the entry-level Residential and Roam tiers are not interchangeable, and choosing between them depends on a user’s living situation and what the internet connection is needed for. The report covers Starlink’s Personal plans for individuals and families; the company’s Business plans are separate and offer different services.

The Residential plan is intended for a home or another fixed location where a customer lives long term. All Residential tiers include unlimited data, and the main difference between them is speed. The basic $55 tier provides 100 Mbps, which Engadget said is enough for a small household to browse, stream movies and play games online. The other tiers raise the speed to 200 Mbps for $85 a month or up to 400 Mbps in Max for $130 a month, and both include free professional home installation.

Starlink describes Roam as best for RVs, nomads, campers and working on the go, including international travelers. Engadget said it is the plan to choose for users who have or plan to own a Starlink Mini dish that can be packed in a bag. Unlike the speed-based Residential tiers, the basic Roam tiers impose hard data caps for high-speed internet. The $55 Roam tier gives 100GB per month with speeds of up to 300 Mbps. After the cap is reached, the connection slows significantly, leaving enough capacity for basic browsing and emailing until the plan renews. The remaining tiers offer 300GB for $80 a month and an Unlimited option that removes the cap for $175 a month.

Engadget noted that customers on both Residential and Roam may not always receive advertised speeds on a consistent basis. Starlink’s fair use policy states that it may temporarily reduce speeds during periods of high congestion or peak usage hours in a user’s area. Before choosing a plan, customers can check Starlink’s coverage map to see what download speeds are available in their state or country. Both types of plans also come with a 30-day trial that allows a full refund within the first month if the customer is not satisfied with the service.