As of today, February 22, 2023, Residential Customers can no longer add on Portability, according to Starlink’s Support website. According to their FAQ section:
“How do I add Portability on my account?
Add Portability on Your Account:
- If you are an active customer, you can enable Portability from your account page and it will take effect immediately.
- If you have multiple Starlinks, Portability must be selected and purchased for each location.
Note: Portability is not available for Residential service in the US. You may change your service address or change your service plan to RV through your Starlink account.“
This is a huge change for many users, including part time RVers who have a permanent home where they spend most of their time, but travel part time and bring their Starlink with them by adding month to month portability. It seems interesting that instead of grandfathering in customers who have been using this service for almost a year, they are choosing to take away the service altogether. It almost seems like a bait and switch where customers were lured in and promised Residential Portability and then Starlink takes it away after their loyal customers have invested in their system and promoted it to their friends and neighbors.
What does this mean for the future? We don’t know. Starlink is a month to month service with no contract, so they truly can change it whenever they want.
Is this the best business practice? Maybe not, but they have the monopoly for this type of internet service, so they really can charge what they want and change the service when they want.
Will this drive away their loyal customers, such as part time Rvers? Time will tell, but it will likey discourage new customers from wanting to join when they change their policies, practices, and billing so frequently!
Here are a few videos to explain more about the changes.
Keevs5Adventures 