Tech Desk 
Aug 14, 2025
In its latest move aimed at generating revenue, Starlink has begun charging $5 a month to pause its high-speed, low-latency internet service, which was previously free.
This fee, introruced under a new $5/month Standby Mode in place of the pause feature, applies to the subscribers of Roam, Residential, and Priority in the US, much of Europe, and Canada.
The seemingly hilarious part of this massive change is that SpaceX still refers to this as an upgrade, while it's being viewed as a bait and switch, particularly for those who purchased a Starlink Mini under the "pay as you go" promise.
The free pause feature has now been replaced with a €5/month (or $5/month) Standby Mode, which offers "unlimited low-speed data" deemed "perfect for backup connectivity and emergency use," according to an email sent to subscribers.
Early tests on Reddit indicate speeds of around 0.5Mbps while in Standby, a stark contrast to the over 100Mbps typically experienced with the Roam service.
The updated landing page still promotes the service as “pay as you go,” albeit with the addition of a “small monthly fee.”
The biggest advantage of using a $499 / €299 Starlink Mini is having satellite internet in a portable device. Previously, users could pause their service without bearing any additional charges after returning home.
Cancelling the services now requires navigating Starlink's website and answering multiple questions, causing users to cancel subscriptions rather than pay for unused service.
