Starlink satellite Internet prices go up on June 10 for many subscribers as SpaceX reshuffles excess capacity coverage

Last year, SpaceX introduced a new Starlink satellite Internet pricing structure that differentiates between sparsely populated in terms of subscriber count areas, and the so-called "limited capacity" regions.

Currently, those Starlink subscribers who live in areas with "excess capacity" are paying just $90 a month for the SpaceX satellite Internet service.

Others, living in "limited capacity" areas, are paying the full Starlink subscription price that sits at $120 per month.

SpaceX has been increasing both its Starlink satellite launch schedule and the Internet hardware availability, starting to offer Starlink kits at Best Buy and other retailers.

Initially, the launches enlarged the Starlink satellite Internet coverage and speeds, but now more and more users are seemingly being moved from the "excess" to "limited" capacity pricing tier.

Some Starlink users have even announced that they will be cancelling their subscription, as they got an email from SpaceX informing them that Starlink prices will be increased by 33%, starting June 10.

According to some Starlink subscribers on Reddit, the decision process to move an area to the limited capacity tier and its higher prices seems pretty random:

My area was $90, it also recently changed to $120. Fairly sparse here, population density averages a little over 1 person per square mile for several miles in all directions, houses average miles apart. Town is over 15 miles away, 200 people there. Knowing probably almost everyone that has service, don't see how it'd be considered a higher demand area (many use cell service).

With the latest Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral, SpaceX has now put almost 6,000 Starlink satellites into orbit, and has tangibly increased the network's carrying capacity. Starlink subscribers, however, are also growing exponentially.

The whole Carnival cruise ship fleet, for instance, just got outfitted with Starlink satellite Internet dishes, so SpaceX needs to manage its capacity well to avoid a drop in median download speeds, and the reshuffle in area capacity designations may be one of the tools to achieve this.