MUSK VS THE UK ISPS
"TRY STARLINK": THE £35 REVOLUTION
THE WAR FOR UK BROADBAND HAS BEGUN
Elon Musk has officially thrown down the gauntlet to British internet providers. With a simple three-word tweet and a massive price slash, Starlink is no longer just a niche satellite service for remote farms. At £35 a month with £0 upfront hardware cost, it is now cheaper than a standard fibre contract from BT.
"TRY STARLINK 🇬🇧"
On January 18, 2026, Elon Musk made his intentions clear. Quote-tweeting a Telegraph article that highlighted Starlink's new pricing strategy, he posted a succinct invitation to the British public:
"Try Starlink 🇬🇧"
— Elon Musk (January 18, 2026)
The article he referenced pointed out a stark reality: Starlink's new £35 tier is significantly cheaper than BT's equivalent £40 copper/fibre service. This is a direct shot at the UK's telecommunications dominance, offering a modern, space-based alternative for less than the price of a legacy connection.
THE NEW 3-TIER SYSTEM
Starlink has moved away from a "one size fits all" approach. UK customers can now choose between three distinct speed tiers.
1. RESIDENTIAL 100 MBPS (£35/MO)
The new entry-level standard. This plan is designed for reliability and affordability.
- Hardware Cost: £0 Upfront (Rental included).
- Speed: Up to 100 Mbps (Typically 80-100 Mbps).
- Upload: 15-35 Mbps.
- Hardware: Includes the Starlink Router Mini (Coverage ~120m²).
- Ideal For: Light streaming, browsing, and smaller households.
2. RESIDENTIAL 200 MBPS (£55/MO)
The mid-range option for those needing more bandwidth for multiple simultaneous streams.
3. RESIDENTIAL MAX (£75/MO)
The ultimate performance tier for power users.
- Speed: Up to 400+ Mbps.
- Hardware: Includes Gen 3 Router + Free Mesh node.
- Bonus: Access to optional "Mini" rental for travel use.
IS THIS POLITICAL?
Industry analysts are questioning whether this aggressive price cut is purely business, or if there is a political edge to it. Elon Musk has frequently clashed with the UK Government regarding free speech regulations on X (formerly Twitter) and the development of his AI, Grok.
By undercutting the state-backed infrastructure and offering a service that bypasses local terrestrial controls, some speculate Musk is "hitting back" at the UK administration. Whether it is a loss-leader strategy to dominate market share or a philosophical move to ensure unrestricted connectivity, the result is the same: cheaper bills for the consumer.
PORTABILITY: TAKE IT ANYWHERE
There is another massive advantage to the new £35 tier that BT cannot match: Portability.
The "Residential 100" plan utilises the Starlink Mini. This isn't a heavy dish bolted to your chimney; it is a compact, backpack-sized unit. While the residential plan is technically for a fixed address, the hardware itself is designed for movement.
This opens the door for flexible connectivity. If you travel, you can switch your service plan to "Roam" via the app, toss the Mini in your car, and have high-speed internet anywhere in the country—from a campsite in the Lake District to a festival field. Try doing that with a fibre optic cable.
PLAN COMPARISON MATRIX
How do the new Starlink tiers stack up against each other and standard UK broadband?
| FEATURE | STARLINK RESI 100 | BT FIBRE 2 | STARLINK MAX |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONTHLY COST | £35 | ~£36-£40 | £75 |
| UPFRONT COST | £0 (+£19 SHIP) | £0-£30 | VARIES |
| SPEED | 80-100 MBPS | 67-74 MBPS | 400+ MBPS |
| PORTABILITY | YES (MINI KIT) | NO (FIXED LINE) | YES (ADD-ON) |
| CONTRACT | 30 DAYS | 24 MONTHS | 30 DAYS |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS THE HARDWARE REALLY FREE?
Yes, on the £35 plan, the upfront hardware cost is £0. You are essentially renting the equipment for as long as you subscribe. You only pay £19 for shipping.
CAN I USE THE £35 PLAN FOR TRAVEL?
The £35 plan is a "Residential" fixed-address service. However, because the included hardware is the Mini, it is physically portable. To travel with it, you would typically need to toggle your plan to "Roam" in the app, which may incur different costs.
WHY IS IT CHEAPER THAN BT?
Starlink is aggressively trying to capture market share. By undercutting legacy providers like BT and Sky, they are making satellite a viable mass-market option rather than a premium niche service.
IS DATA UNLIMITED?
Yes, all tiers including the £35 Residential 100 plan come with unlimited data.
SUMMARY: MUSK MAKES HIS MOVE
This price drop is more than just a discount; it is a statement. With a portable kit, a price tag lower than BT, and speeds that compete with fibre, Starlink is looking to disrupt the UK market entirely. Whether it's business or personal, the winner is the British consumer.