It seems that every provider is willing to provide a wireless and home internet bundles. Not long after AT&T announced OneConnect last month, US Mobile unveiled its bundle, which combines its unlimited mobile data with residential Internet provided by Starlink’s satellite data service. Payment will only be processed through US Mobile.
US Mobile is different from wireless providers because it can fit within the networks of the three major cell phone providers: T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon. That gives customers the ability to use the strongest network in their area, and the option to switch on the go. Pairing with Starlink gives the company a foothold in the home internet business without relying on a single large broadband infrastructure.
In a post on Reddit teasing the service, US Mobile CEO Ahmed Khattak explained the technical difficulties of making the service talk to all cellular networks as well as Starlink’s, writing, “the same aggregation layer that allows us to split a line between three terrestrial networks is the layer that now allows us to provide a session between terrestrial and terrestrial.”
The bundle has three tiers including US Mobile Unlimited Starter or Unlimited Premium plans and Starlink speed options. New US Mobile customers can sign up for one of the following (prices are based on the Unlimited Starter plan, priced at $17 plus the Starlink price):
• Starlink Residential 100 Mbps plan for $47 per month
• Starlink Residential 200 Mbps plan for $77 per month
• Starlink Residential Max, with speeds up to 400 Mbps, for $117 per month
Under the deal, the $349 rental fee for Starlink equipment (including dish, router, power and cables) is waived.
Existing US Mobile customers can add Starlink home service for $30 per month (100 Mbps Residential), $60 per month (200 Mbps Residential) or $100 per month (Residential Max).
Pay attention to the details
It’s always important to check the fine print when looking for carrier deals.
The US Mobile Starlink FAQ states that a residential satellite program should be used at your service address and not while traveling.
Like most carrier offerings, paying in advance saves money. Prices listed for US Mobile plans apply to the first year of service when you pay 12 months in advance. Then the plan is updated with US Mobile rates at that time. If you pay monthly, the Unlimited Starter plan costs $20, not $17.
With the Starlink service, rates apply for the first six months, billed monthly, then revert to Starlink’s current rates. According to the Starlink website, that amounts to $50 per month for Residential 100 Mbps, $80 per month for Residential 200 Mbps and $120 per month for Residence Max.
Specific Starlink hardware wasn’t mentioned, but a US Mobile representative said that because Starlink handles fulfillment, customers will get current equipment. The new residential plan directly from Starlink includes a standard 4x dish and Router 3.
When I checked my Seattle address for Starlink compatibility, I found that the offer is not yet available here. However, if I were to go through Starlink directly to find accommodation, I would get help. The representative explained that at launch, the bundle is not available in certain areas where Starlink pricing is used (such as parts of Seattle).
For current Starlink customers, there doesn’t seem to be a way to take advantage of this great deal without canceling existing service, returning Starlink hardware and signing up as a new US Mobile customer.
Finally, US Mobile’s email announcing the Starlink bundle says “The offer is very limited,” meaning how many bundles will be sold at the current promotional price, according to a representative.
