What changed
RV Mobile Internet reported on Mar 6, 2026 that Starlink had recategorized Standby Mode from an option that could be used on the move to one “not intended for” in-motion use, after users began seeing a “disabled while moving” message. Starlink’s help article on pausing now says: “Standby Mode is not intended for in-motion use.”
The same report said Starlink cut the in-motion speed limit on Roam and Priority plans from 450 mph to 100 mph, a change aimed mainly at aircraft.
When
Reported Mar 6, 2026; users noticed the change shortly before. We read Starlink’s current help text on Oct 6, 2026. This post is more than 90 days old and is kept as background.
Who is affected
Roam and Residential customers who used Standby Mode while driving or travelling. Most stationary home users aren’t affected.
What it means for you
Some travelling owners used Standby as a cheap way to stay connected on the road between trips. That has always been costly for referrers, because Standby doesn’t count as a high-speed plan: if your only line is on Standby, all your pending referrals are cancelled. With Standby no longer meant for use on the move, owners who need service while travelling are being steered to a Roam plan, which does count.
For a friend you referred, the rule is the same: they must stay on a high-speed plan, not Standby, for two full billing cycles.
What to do now
If you travel and refer friends, keep a high-speed plan, such as Roam, while referrals are pending, rather than switching to Standby to save money on the road.
What stays the same
Standby Mode still exists for pausing at a fixed location, and still doesn’t count toward the referral program. Roam plans remain among the eight plans that qualify for a referral.
What we don’t know yet
Whether Standby works at all at low speeds, which some users reported and the press couldn’t confirm. Starlink’s wording says “not intended”, not “not permitted”.
How to check it yourself
Open Starlink’s help article “How does pausing service work?” and look for the note on in-motion use. Your app shows your current plan and whether it’s on Standby. For the referral rule, see the minimum-stay clause in the US Referral Program Terms.