Starlink's big discount for rural Aussies ends on Friday

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 23 August 2023

For the last few months, Starlink has been offering fairly sizeable discounts on hardware fees for Australians living in remote and regional areas. While Starlink hardware can cost as much as $924, those in select rural locations will pay just $399 for hardware until August 25.

$399 is a bit pricier than the deepest discount Starlink has touted out - hardware was going for just $199 for a while - but it's much more palatable than the full price you'd typically pay.

Starlink's residential plans are billed at $139 per month, which is on the pricier side for satellite internet. The reasonably new unlimited Sky Muster Plus Premium satellite NBN plans typically max out at $99 per month, for example. Here's a selection of Sky Muster Plus Premium plans for comparison:

#1	Pivotel	Pivotel Sky Muster Plus Premium 25 nbn® Satellite 21 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $4/mth off for first 6 months, $55/mth for first 6 months, then $59/mth ongoing. Ends 31.10.26 $55/mth for 6 mths, then $59/mth Min. cost $55 Link not supplied	$55/mth for 6 mths, then $59/mth Min. cost $55	Link not supplied
#2	Activ8me	Activ8me Sky Muster Plus Premium 25 nbn® Satellite 21 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: 2 months free! New residential customers only who sign up on an eligible plan with an RRP of under $85/mth. T&Cs apply $59/mth Min. cost $59 Go to Site	$59/mth Min. cost $59	Go to Site
#3	IPSTAR	IPSTAR Sky Muster Plus Entry nbn® Satellite 21 Mbps Unlimited Data $60/mth Min. cost $60 Link not supplied	$60/mth Min. cost $60	Link not supplied
#4	Skymesh	Skymesh Skymesh Ultra 25 Plan nbn® Satellite Speed Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $10/mth off for first 6 months, then $74.95/mth. T&Cs apply. $64.95/mth for first 6 months, then $74.95/mth Min. cost $64.95 Link not supplied	$64.95/mth for first 6 months, then $74.95/mth Min. cost $64.95	Link not supplied

But if NBN hasn't been cutting it, Starlink might be worth a shot. Starlink plans are contract-free and come with a 30-day trial. If you cancel your service within the first 30 days after receiving the hardware, you'll be refunded the full price of the equipment if you return it. Shipping and handling won't be refunded.

More broadly, Starlink has been making waves in Australian thanks to partnerships with both Telstra and Optus. Telstra expects to start reselling Starlink internet plans bundled with a home phone service by the end of the year, while Optus will be using Starlink satellites to expand its mobile coverage from late 2024.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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