SpaceX has already slashed prices on its Starlink internet service and monthly plans to attract more users outside the U.S. Now, in some countries, the company is going even further—offering Starlink dishes for free.
Elon Musk’s space venture has been racking up major successes as it edges closer to becoming the most valuable private company in the world. Just days ago, SpaceX secured a massive $5.9 billion government contract to launch military satellites over the next four years. The company also teamed up with NASA in a high-stakes mission to rescue astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were left stranded due to technical issues with their Boeing spacecraft.
On top of that, SpaceX landed another major deal: an $843 million contract with NASA to handle the decommissioning of the International Space Station over the next decade.
SpaceX is trying to expand its Starlink reach in select countries / NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty
At the same time, SpaceX is ramping up efforts to expand Starlink’s presence in select international markets.
In Italy, the standard Starlink dish—normally priced at €349—is now being offered for free, provided customers commit to a 12-month residential plan. A translated message from SpaceX states: “Get a Starlink Standard kit for €0 (regularly €349) in exchange for a commitment to a Residential service plan for at least 12 months.”
Similar promotions are appearing in Australia, where users can get the equipment at no cost. However, fees may apply if they cancel the service, change their address, modify their plan, transfer the kit to someone else, or miss a monthly payment, according to SpaceX.
This offer is part of the company’s latest push to grow Starlink’s global footprint. The satellite internet service now boasts over five million users across more than 120 markets—but expanding further may come with its own set of challenges.
Elon Musk’s space company is en route to becoming the most valuable private entity in the world / Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty
Since aligning more closely with the White House and publicly supporting Donald Trump, Elon Musk has seen his electric vehicle company, Tesla, face mounting challenges—including declining sales, consumer boycotts, and organized protests. Critics, including some of Tesla’s early investors, say Musk has become increasingly preoccupied with politics, pointing to his push for aggressive federal budget cuts through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as evidence that he’s too distracted to effectively run multiple companies.
Meanwhile, tensions have also spilled over into Canada. Several Starlink dish installers there have reported being harassed both online and in person by frustrated consumers amid growing U.S.-Canada trade frictions. This comes after Ontario Premier Doug Ford canceled a $100 million provincial contract with Musk.
As for the free Starlink dish promotion, it’s still unclear whether SpaceX plans to roll it out in more countries. In the U.S., new residential sign-ups are currently paused in many major cities due to network capacity limits.
