Does the service fee include device warranty?

Ernst Hermighausen
Ernst Hermighausen
Ph.D. student researching global internet access.

Does the Service Fee Include Equipment Warranty?

This is a very common question, and simply put: No, it doesn't.

You can think of Starlink's service fee and equipment warranty like a mobile phone bill and phone warranty; they are two separate things.

  • Service Fee: This is your monthly "internet bill," paid so you can connect to satellites in space for internet access. This money is purely for the "internet service" itself. As long as you pay on time, your internet will remain active.

  • Equipment Warranty: This is the guarantee for the hardware set you purchased outright (dish, router, cables, etc.). From the moment you receive the goods, there's usually a one-year (12-month) warranty period. Within this period, if your equipment breaks down due to manufacturing defects or material issues (not human damage or natural disasters), Starlink will be responsible for repairing or replacing it.

In summary:

ItemCoverage
Monthly Service FeeAccess to and right to use satellite internet.
Equipment WarrantyProvides coverage for manufacturing quality issues of the hardware itself within the warranty period.

So, if your "dish" malfunctions on its own within the warranty period, contact customer service, and they will proceed with the warranty process. However, if it's struck by lightning, hit by a tree, or damaged due to improper installation, it won't be covered by the warranty. And the monthly service fee you pay is simply for internet access, unrelated to hardware malfunctions.