Starlink drops support for first-generation routers, offers free hardware upgrades

[DragonSlayer101]

The big picture: Starlink started operations in 2020 after SpaceX launched its first batch of 60 satellites the previous year. After five years, the company is discontinuing support for its first-generation routers and offering early adopters a free upgrade to new hardware with support for more modern Wi-Fi standards.

SpaceX is reportedly sending emails to select customers, informing them that it will discontinue software updates for the Starlink Gen 1 router as part of ongoing upgrades to network security, performance, and reliability. To make the transition seamless, the company is offering a free upgrade to the $40 Starlink Router Mini.

The new router supports Wi-Fi 6 - an upgrade over the Gen 1 model that only supports Wi-Fi 5. It also supports mesh networking like the flagship Gen 3 model and has two Ethernet ports, including a LAN port for wired connections and a WAN port for connecting to the Starlink network.

SpaceX claims the Router Mini offers stronger performance, improved security, and better reliability compared to the Gen 1 model, making it a better choice for home Wi-Fi circa 2025. The company also assured users that switching to the new hardware is easy and offered a step-by-step tutorial to uninstall the Gen 1 model and replace it with the Router Mini.

To claim the free hardware, users will have to click on the "Claim Free Router" button in the email they received from SpaceX, answer a survey question, and hit "Confirm." Once the formalities are completed, SpaceX will send the new router to the subscriber's existing shipping address for free.

Folks who are unwilling or unable to upgrade immediately need not worry: the Gen 1 Router will not stop functioning anytime soon. However, SpaceX warns that since it will no longer receive feature updates or security patches, users may experience degraded performance, reduced compatibility, and additional security vulnerabilities over time.

The router offer comes weeks after Starlink urged users to update their Starlink dishes to prevent them from becoming "permanently inoperable." In an email to select subscribers, the company warned that the software needs to be updated before November 17 if they want to keep using their Starlink hardware beyond that date.

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Starlink drops support for first-generation routers, offers free hardware upgrades

 

[TheBigT42]

All I want from an ISP is a place to plugin my OPNsense router...I'll take care of the rest.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

At least they are offering free replacements (looks at every cable company ever with disgust).

 

[Squid Surprise]

While I understand most people don’t have the technical skills, using the default wireless router from ANY ISP is terrible.

Buying a separate router is virtually always a better idea - assuming you know how to do it… it’s not that hard…

 

[RudyBob]

All I want is a stable connection. I leave everything to Starlink. They are the most reliable and fastest internet I have had in 30 years of country living. Good on them for their "free"

 

[GodisanAtheist]

All I want is a stable connection. I leave everything to Starlink. They are the most reliable and fastest internet I have had in 30 years of country living. Good on them for their "free"

- Damn did the internet cut out?

 

[Aus spot]

Starlink is the most expensive service in my country. I would expext them to offer a free upgrade, the cable company does.

But what was this about upgrading dishes? Was that also free?

 

[RudyBob]

- Damn did the internet cut out?

No and it has not since I have been on with Mr Musk. You must have a miserable life

 

[Theinsanegamer]

No and it has not since I have been on with Mr Musk. You must have a miserable life

It's a joke bruv.

Starlink is the most expensive service in my country. I would expext them to offer a free upgrade, the cable company does.

But what was this about upgrading dishes? Was that also free?

Starling is also the most expensive to maintain, requiring literal rocket science.

The dish update is a software/firmware thing, not hardware replacement.

 

[Plutoisaplanet]

Starlink is the most expensive service in my country. I would expext them to offer a free upgrade, the cable company does.

But what was this about upgrading dishes? Was that also free?

Not everyone needs to use the same Internet provider lol, if you found a more affordable ISP that does what you want then you should stick to that. But Starlink is loved by people who are rural/travel and have no access to cable.

In rural areas, the status quo was old satellite ISPs (often 500ms of ping) and cellular data (these inevitably have coverage gaps). These might suffice, but Starlink is a compelling option. And I’m guessing by your name you live in Australia? That’s got to be a game changer for those venturing into the bush and outback.

 

[TheBigT42]

the status quo was old satellite ISPs (often 500ms of ping)

More like 700ms to 900ms

 

[Aus spot]

And I’m guessing by your name you live in Australia? That’s got to be a game changer for those venturing into the bush and outback.

Spot on. Yes rural government issued satellite internet sux. But non rural has better more affordable internet.

 

[Beerfloat]

Internet for country bumpkins that are by and large just noise pollution in serious discussions. And a handful of yacht owners. This crap is subsidized to prevent bringing fiber in the US up to the same Gigabit+ standards that Europeans and Asians enjoy. It's all just bad.