Telstra Starlink vs. SpaceX Starlink: What's the difference?

Nathan Lawrence - Freelance Contributor

Last updated 19 October 2026

Contents

In this Telstra vs. SpaceX Starlink guide:

Telstra Starlink vs. SpaceX Starlink: Price
Telstra Starlink vs. SpaceX Starlink: Speed
Telstra Starlink vs. SpaceX Starlink: Contracts
Telstra Starlink vs. SpaceX Starlink: Hardware
Telstra Starlink vs. SpaceX Starlink: Extras

There are two main types of satellite internet in Australia: Sky Muster satellite NBN and Starlink. While pricier, Starlink is the better choice because it has faster speeds, lower latency, and even plans that can travel with you. If you're in the market for a Starlink plan, you can either buy direct from SpaceX, or you can grab a simplified plan from a collaboration between Telstra and Starlink.

Telstra Starlink vs. SpaceX Starlink: Price

Telstra Starlink

Telstra Starlink plans (plural) aren't a thing, but there is a single plan that costs $150 a month for unlimited data. While that monthly fee includes a Telstra Smart Modem 4, it doesn't include the all-important Starlink Standard kit, which is essential to get online. Telstra offers the Starlink Standard for a once-off $549 outright price, at times this may be discounted down to as low as $349.

Delivery of Telstra Starlink equipment is free and should be delivered to you within five business days.

SpaceX Starlink

Compared to Telstra, Starlink offers three residential plan choices in Australia.

Starlink Residential plans start from $75 per month for unlimited data, which includes a full refund after a 30-day trial if you don't like it. Unlike Telstra Starlink, SpaceX Starlink has a $0 monthly rental fee for the Starlink Standard kit for eligible customers. Starlink Standard includes a separate third-gen WiFi 6 router to get your devices online.

Starlink	Starlink Starlink Residential 100 Mbps Satellite Download Speeds: Up to 100 Mbps (typically 80-100 Mbps) Upload Speeds: 15-35 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. 30% off when you stay connected, normally $75/mth. Selected areas only, price reflected in checkout. Ends 30.11.26 $52.50/mth Includes $22.50/mth discount, normally $75/mth Min. cost $52.50 Go to Site	$52.50/mth Includes $22.50/mth discount, normally $75/mth Min. cost $52.50	Go to Site
Starlink	Starlink Starlink Residential 200 Mbps Satellite Download Speeds: Up to 200 Mbps (typically 140-200 Mbps) Upload Speeds: 15-35 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. 30% off when you stay connected, normally $110/mth. Selected areas only, price reflected in checkout. Ends 30.11.26 $77/mth Includes $33/mth discount, normally $110/mth Min. cost $77 Go to Site	$77/mth Includes $33/mth discount, normally $110/mth Min. cost $77	Go to Site
Starlink	Starlink Starlink Residential Max Satellite Download Speeds: Up to 400+ Mbps (typically 170-320 Mbps) Upload Speeds: 20-40 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. 30% off when you stay connected, normally $150/mth. Selected areas only, price reflected in checkout. Ends 30.11.26 $105/mth Includes $45/mth discount, normally $150/mth Min. cost $105 Go to Site	$105/mth Includes $45/mth discount, normally $150/mth Min. cost $105	Go to Site

Telstra Starlink vs. SpaceX Starlink: Speed

Telstra Starlink

Telstra's Satellite Home Internet Powered by Starlink plan offers the same speeds as Starlink's Residential Max plan. According to Telstra, you can expect 170-320Mbps download speeds and 20-40Mbps upload speeds during the busy evening hours (7:00pm to 11:00pm daily). Note that Telstra says these estimated speeds are based on limited preliminary testing, so they may change. But don't expect them to go beyond these speeds.

In the event of an outage, the Telstra Smart Modem 4 offers mobile backup, with up to 25Mbps download and 5Mbps upload speeds.

SpaceX Starlink

SpaceX Starlink plans have more options than Telstra. For Starlink Residential, you'll get the same speeds as Telstra offers on the Max plan or if you want to save some money you can get a plan capped to 100Mbps or 200Mbps downloads. You can expect between 15 and 35Mbps upload speeds on those plans. Telstra doesn't advertise latency for its Starlink plan, but SpaceX estimates 25 to 60ms latency for Starlink Residential. According to the latest ACCC data, Starlink averaged 26.2ms across all hours vs 658.3ms for NBN Sky Muster.

Telstra Starlink vs. SpaceX Starlink: Contracts

Telstra Starlink

The Telstra Starlink plan is month-to-month with no contract. You're free to leave at any time, but you will have purchased the Starlink Standard kit outright for $549. Note that while the Telstra Smart Modem is $0 upfront, you have to return it if you leave Telstra within 24 months, otherwise there's a $200 hardware non-return fee.

SpaceX Starlink

Starlink Residential and Starlink Roam plans default to no contract in Australia. For Starlink Residential, if you have the $0 hardware rental option, you have to return the Starlink Standard kit within 30 days of cancellation in good condition. If you don't return the kit or it's not in good condition, you'll have to pay the full $549 RRP.

Telstra Starlink vs. SpaceX Starlink: Hardware

Telstra Starlink

The Telstra Starlink plan comes with a Telstra Smart Modem 4, valued at $360 RRP, which arrives separately from the other Starlink hardware. To use Telstra's Starlink plan, though, you'll need to buy the $549 RRP Starlink Standard kit, which includes all of the following items:

Starlink Standard antenna
Ground-mount kickstand
Third-gen router
15-metre Starlink cable
1.5m AC power cable
1.5m power supply

Telstra will mount your service professionally for a one-off $650 fee (this includes a wind-rated roof mount) and is backed by a two-year warranty.

SpaceX Starlink

Whether you buy a Starlink Standard kit from SpaceX or another retailer, it comes with the same items as the Telstra Starlink plan in the list above (but no Telstra Smart Modem 4). Starlink offers free professional installation with the Max plan, though you may need to purchase a separate mount for a permanent Starlink Standard installation. There's a 30-day warranty for the installation.

Telstra Starlink vs. SpaceX Starlink: Extras

Telstra Starlink

The main extra of Telstra Starlink is the Telstra Smart Modem 4. Not only does this offer 5G mobile backup during an internet outage, it also offers unlimited home phone calls to local, national, and landline numbers. You also get 30 minutes of international calls to any country. You'll have to pay the $549 outright fee for the Starlink Standard kit, but you can grab a Starlink Residential plan afterwards if you want to keep using the service.

SpaceX Starlink

There's a lot of crossover in features between Telstra Starlink and SpaceX Starlink, specifically the plug-and-play setup, weather resilience, and greater than 99.9% Starlink internet uptime. You can either buy the Starlink Standard kit outright or rent it as part of an ongoing month-to-month plan. Starlink Residential users can add a Mobility Mount ($116), Pipe Adapter ($105), Roof Rack Mount ($120), or WiFi 6 Router Mini.

A lot of the other extras for Starlink gear are from third-party providers. And it's a similar story for Starlink Roam, with a selection of third-party mounts designed for use with cars or RVs. That said, Starlink Roam does offer an optional 12v Car Adapter for $92 or the Router Mini.

Nathan Lawrence

Freelance Contributor

Nathan Lawrence is a freelance writer with over 11 years of experience. He has contributed to publications including WhistleOut Australia, Review.org/au, IGN, STACK, Fandom, Red Bull, and AusGamers. Nathan specialises in researching, writing, and editing content around technology, telecommunications, and gaming.

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