It seems like every provider is eager to offer a wireless and home internet bundle. Soon after AT&T announced its OneConnect service last month, US Mobile has revealed its own combo, which includes its unlimited mobile data plus residential internet provided by Starlink's satellite data service. Billing will be handled solely through US Mobile.
US Mobile is unique among wireless providers in that it can straddle the networks of the three major cellular providers: T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon. That gives customers the ability to use the network strongest in their area, and the option to switch when traveling. Pairing with Starlink gives the company a foothold in the home internet business without relying on one of the big three's broadband infrastructure.
In a post on Reddit teasing the service, US Mobile CEO Ahmed Khattak described the technical complexities of making a service that talks to all of the cellular networks as well as Starlink's, writing, "the same unification layer that lets us hand a line off between three terrestrial networks is the layer that now lets us hand a session off between terrestrial and celestial."
The bundle has three tiers that combine US Mobile Unlimited Starter or Unlimited Premium plans with Starlink's speed options. New US Mobile customers can sign up for one of the following (prices are based on the Unlimited Starter plan, calculated at $17 plus the Starlink rate):
• Starlink Residential 100 Mbps plan at $47 per month
• Starlink Residential 200 Mbps plan at $77 per month
• Starlink Residential Max, with speeds up to 400 Mbps, at $117 per month
Under this deal, the $349 fee for renting Starlink equipment (including a dish, router, power and cables) is waived.
Existing US Mobile customers can add Starlink home service for $30 per month (Residential 100 Mbps), $60 per month (Residential 200 Mbps) or $100 per month (Residential Max).
Pay attention to the details
It's always important to check the small print when looking at carrier deals.
The US Mobile Starlink FAQ states that the satellite residential plan must be used at your service address and not while on the move.
As with many carrier offerings, paying in advance saves money. The stated prices for the US Mobile plans apply to the first year of service when paying 12 months upfront. Then the plan renews at US Mobile's pricing at the time. If you're paying monthly, the cost for the Unlimited Starter plan is $20, not $17.
For the Starlink service, the rates apply for the first six months, paid monthly, and then revert to Starlink's current rates. According to Starlink's website, that amounts to $50 per month for Residential 100 Mbps, $80 per month for Residential 200 Mbps and $120 per month for Residential Max.
The specific Starlink hardware is not mentioned, but a US Mobile representative said that because Starlink handles the fulfillment, customers will receive the current equipment. A new residential plan directly from Starlink includes the Standard 4x dish and Router 3.
When I checked my Seattle address for Starlink compatibility, I learned that the offer isn't yet available here. However, if I were to go through Starlink directly for residential service, I could get the service. The representative explained that at launch, the bundle is not available in certain areas with Starlink congestion pricing applied (like parts of Seattle).
For current Starlink customers, there doesn't appear to be a path to take advantage of this bundle deal without canceling existing service, returning the Starlink hardware and signing up as a new US Mobile customer.
Lastly, US Mobile's email announcing the Starlink bundle says "The offer supply is extremely limited," which refers to how many bundles will be sold at the current promotional pricing, according to the representative.
