Starlink Introduces $10 Emergency and Leisure Travel Backup Plan for Its Services
SpaceX's Starlink Introduces New Low-Cost Roam 10GB Plan
SpaceX's Starlink has launched a new low-cost internet plan, the Roam 10GB, designed for staying connected during power outages, off-grid travel, and emergency situations. This plan is part of Starlink's expanding service offerings and supports in-motion use.
The Roam 10GB plan offers 10GB of high-speed data and includes international roaming. Users can activate the plan through their Starlink account and use it for approximately one day of typical internet activity. If users run out of data, they can purchase more on a pay-per-gigabyte basis through their Starlink account.
The new plan is available for users in Canada and the USA and offers nationwide coverage. It does not indicate any speed limitations or throttling during usage, nor does it specify any additional charges for roaming or data overage. The cost of the plan is $15 CAD/month in Canada and $10 in the USA.
To activate the plan, users need to navigate to "Subscriptions," select their service line, and choose "Activate Service" under the Roam 10GB option. The plan provides connectivity along coastlines and is designed for light use during emergencies or weekend travel.
This new plan aims to offer a reliable backup when a user's primary internet goes down, providing a cost-effective solution for staying connected in various situations.
Previously, SpaceX’s Starlink had discontinued its $10/month Roam 10GB plan. This plan was popular due to its low monthly fee and flexibility, notably allowing users to pause and resume service easily. However, as of mid-2025, Starlink no longer offers this plan to new or existing customers for reactivation, though current subscribers may keep it until cancellation or activation of Standby Mode.
Instead of the Roam 10GB plan and the previously free pause feature, Starlink now requires users to subscribe to a new Standby Mode at $5 per month if they want to pause their service. This Standby Mode provides unlimited data but at throttled speeds of about 500 Kbps upload and download, roughly comparable to 2G speeds. While not suitable for high-bandwidth activities, this limited connectivity supports basic emergency uses such as messaging, email, software updates, and Wi-Fi calling.
This policy shift reflects Starlink’s evolving business model amid increased competition and network management challenges. The tradeoff offers always-on basic connectivity during pauses but at a new recurring cost, eliminating previous fully free pause service options.
The new Roam 10GB plan from SpaceX's Starlink, once discontinued, is now back, aiming to provide a low-cost solution for space-and-astronomy enthusiasts and technology users alike, offering high-speed data connectivity during off-grid travel, emergencies, and more.
SpaceX's Starlink's decision to reintroduce the Roam 10GB plan and charge for the previously free Standby Mode with limited data speeds can be seen as an application of science and technology in shaping their business model to cater to the needs of their customers and adjust to challenges in space exploration and network management.
