The Starlink Mini is now available for purchase by anyone in the U.S. On July 11, Starlink updated its Roam page to announce its release and the Mini Roam service plan. The dish is available for order directly from Starlink for $599, and the Mini Roam plan costs $50 per month for 50GB of data. The Mini is also compatible with the Regional Mobile plan, which provides unlimited high-speed data anywhere in North America for $150 per month. Previously, it was only available to a select group of customers by invitation.
First revealed in mid-June, the Starlink Mini is a smaller, more portable version of the satellite internet dish. At 11.4 inches by 9.8 inches, it’s nearly half the size and weight of the standard Starlink dish and can fit in a backpack. It also has built-in Wi-Fi, nixing the need for a separate gateway device. Designed for lower power consumption, the Mini can be powered by most vehicles or a portable power bank.
A new detail revealed with the wide release is that the Mini Roam plan can be used in motion, which was previously only possible with the expensive ($2,500) high-performance dish on a Mobile Priority plan. However, this is limited to the Mini Roam plan, not the Regional Mobile. You can only use the Standard dish on a Mobile plan while stationary or traveling less than 10mph.
The Starlink Mini is ideal for backpackers who need a line of communication when cell reception is out of reach. Since it can be used in motion, take it on lengthy road trips so your passengers can stream their favorite shows. It can also be valuable to emergency responders in remote areas, especially since it can be used on the move and is much more affordable than the high-performance dish.
The Mini Roam plan is ideal for short periods, but the 50GB cap makes it less so for long-term use. Once you reach the limit, you won’t be able to access the internet except for your Starlink account. You can purchase more data at a rate of $1 per GB. Like Starlink’s other mobile service plans, the Mini Roam plan can be paused and reactivated when you’re ready to use it again.
As of publication, Starlink Mini in the U.S. is only usable with the Regional Mobile or Mini Roam plans. However, Starlink’s support page has a section for a Mini Residential plan for affordable, fixed-household use. It states it’s only available in select regions but doesn’t list where. It doesn’t list a price or when it will be available in the U.S.
Starlink states that the Mini's typical download speed is 5 to 50Mbps, but it also claims it’s capable of up to 100Mbps. Early users support this claim, posting speed tests on Reddit that surpass 50Mbps. Typical latency is 30 to 40ms, slower than a wired internet connection but better than many 5G hotspot plans and satellite internet competitors.
At $599, the Starlink Mini is a premium offering, $100 more than the Standard dish. This may come as a surprise to those who recall Elon Musk's statement on X that the Mini would be half the price. However, it's worth noting that Starlink often adjusts the prices of its hardware and service plans in response to market demand. If the current price is a turn-off, it’s possible that the Mini could become more affordable in the near future.
2 min read
