Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (“Starlink”) offers two-way satellite-based internet service (“Services”) and equipment (“Starlink Kit” or “Kit”) to you, the customer, subject to these Maritime Service Terms (“Terms”) in the United States. These Terms, those terms incorporated by reference, and the details you agree to in your order when you apply for Services (“Order”) form the entire agreement between you and Starlink (“Agreement”).
Services. Starlink will provide the Services and Starlink Kit for use on a vessel or maritime facility in the jurisdiction registered in your Order (“Registered Vessel(s)”).
No Resale and Permitted Use. You may only provide access to the Services to your employees, passengers, and crew of your Registered Vessel so long as such use does not violate this Agreement. You shall not resell or provide access to the Services to anyone outside the Registered Vessel(s), resell as a stand-alone service, use the Services for backhauling third-party data, resell as community wifi or a “hotspot,” or use the Services to provide other methods of networking connections, unless done with Starlink’s written consent (“Permitted Use”).
Title to Starlink Kit. Starlink transfers title to the Starlink Kit and any optional accessories to you at the time of delivery.
Agreement Duration. There is no minimum contract term to obtain Services, unless agreed to by the parties in the Order. You may cancel the Agreement and Services at any time according to Section 4.2. Starlink may terminate the Agreement according to Section 4.4.
Software Updates and License Terms. Software copies and updates installed on the Starlink Kit are not sold, only licensed to you personally (on a non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited and revocable basis), for use as installed on the Starlink Kit and subject to Software License and Usage Terms, and restrictions that Starlink posts on the Starlink Customer Portal. Starlink reserves all intellectual property rights and other rights and interests in the Starlink Kit, the Services, and the software, and grants no license, except as expressly granted in this Agreement.
Payments and Subscription Fees. Unless otherwise stated in the Order, you agree to pay for —
a) Equipment. The one-time purchase price for the Starlink Kits and any accessories, including shipping & handling and applicable taxes, as detailed in the Order;
b) Services. Monthly recurring Service charges, including applicable taxes, as selected in your Order; and
c) Additional Mobile Priority Data. If applicable, additional automatic charges per GB of data use, if you opt-in to purchasing additional Mobile Priority data after hitting your data limit under your Service Plans. You can track your excess monthly data usage and purchase additional Mobile Priority data at any time via the Starlink App or via your Starlink account. Your excess data usage per month will also be displayed on your next monthly invoice. Once you opt-in, you will be automatically billed for additional Mobile Priority data used until you opt-out, including in following billing cycles. You may opt-out of purchasing additional Mobile Priority at any time via your account in the Starlink Customer Portal. Additional details can be found in your Order and via the Fair Use Policy.
Payment Terms. For customers renting a Starlink Kit, you authorize Starlink to charge your approved payment method for the following—
a) Equipment. Customer’s payment for the Starlink Kits is due 5 business days after the Order is signed; Starlink Kits will not be allocated from inventory, planned for production, or shipped until payment is received;
b) Services. A monthly recurring service fee for the Starlink Kit will begin on the earlier of (i) the date you activate the Starlink Kit or (ii) 30 days after Starlink ships your Starlink Kit (the “Payment Due Date”). Starlink will automatically charge your approved payment method for the first month’s service fee on the Payment Due Date. The service fee for the second month and all subsequent months thereafter will be due on the monthly anniversary of the Payment Due Date.
Payment Method. You authorize Starlink to charge an approved payment method, including ACH payments, credit or debit cards (where available) for all charges made under the Agreement, unless otherwise agreed to in the Order. Use of a credit or debit card is subject to the terms and conditions in your card member agreement, including fees that may be charged by the issuer. If there is a change to your bank or card account information, including expiration date, you must update your payment information in the Starlink Customer Portal to avoid suspension or termination of Services. Starlink may also update your payment method data with information provided by the payment service providers. You authorize us to continue to charge your payment method following any update to your information.
Shipping and Handling. Shipping and handling charges will apply and are non-refundable, including for any returns. The shipping and handling charges are calculated when the Order is submitted. Please consult your Starlink account for an estimate of delivery times. Starlink will use the carrier of its choice.
Taxes, Fees, Surcharges. In addition to the Starlink Kit purchase price and recurring charges for Services, we may collect or request reimbursement for taxes and other fees and surcharges required by law, including, without limitation, value added, consumption, sales, use, gross receipts, excise, access, and bypass for which we do not collect and remit on your behalf. You are also responsible for any additional government fees, rights of way fees or charges, license or permit fees, and any other duties, fees, charges or surcharges imposed on, incident to, or based upon the provision, sale, or use of the Services or Starlink Kit.
Payment Disputes & Suspended Services. Disputes on your Starlink bill should be handled via the Starlink Customer Portal. In the event of a billing dispute, you must timely pay all undisputed amounts. If the payment dispute is resolved against you, or if you simply fail to pay for Services on time, you must pay the amounts due or the Services will be suspended until the overdue amounts are paid.
Kit Install Guidelines. You are responsible for the installation of the Starlink Kit in a location on the Registered Vessel(s) that has a clear field of view per the Set-Up Guide available https://support.starlink.com/. You are also responsible installing the Starlink Kit securely so that equipment will not become dislodged due to vessel movement, weather or other external factors. You shall not modify the Starlink Kit in a manner (including cosmetic/paint changes) that contradicts the Install Guide or would otherwise alter the transmission characteristics of the equipment, including placing the antenna under a cover/radome, unless approved by Starlink. At Starlink’s sole discretion, if we determine that your installation or modification of a Starlink Kit has resulted in a material degradation of the Service or equipment, the equipment Limited Warranty may be voided. Should use of the Services require any construction or alteration to your property, Starlink is not obliged to reimburse any expenses or restore your property to the same physical state as prior to delivery of Services. If you require a permanent vessel mount installation, you acknowledge the potential risks associated with this type of installation, including, without limitation, with respect to any warranty that applies to your vessel or property for penetration of the membrane.
Kit Install Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, maritime safety codes, ordinances, port and harbor rules, conditions, restrictions, lease/charter obligations and vessel owner approvals and requirements for the installation of the Starlink Kit. You are responsible for paying any associated fees or other charges, and for obtaining any permits and other authorizations necessary for the Services and the installation of the Starlink Kit. Should installation of the Starlink Kit require any construction or alteration to the Registered Vessel(s) or other property, Starlink is not obliged to reimburse any expenses or restore property to the same physical state as prior to installation of the Starlink Kit or delivery of Services. If you require alterations to your Registered Vessel, including penetration of or drilling into your vessel, in order to install the Starlink Kit, you acknowledge the potential risks associated with this type of installation, including, without limitation, with respect to any warranty that applies to penetration of or alterations to your vessel. You agree and are responsible for taking proper precautions for ensuring that the equipment mount is installed on a structurally sound, horizontal surface. You acknowledge that equipment falling off a vessel due to poor installation practices can cause serious accidents resulting in bodily injury. You shall not mount a Starlink Kit on a vessel if it is not stable, or if it cannot be properly secured as described in the Install Guide and used with the proper mount designed for in-motion use.
Starlink Mobile Priority Service Plans allow you to access Services at any destination around the world where Starlink provides active coverage. It is designed for high bandwidth or in-motion users who want global land plus ocean access and maximum speeds are uncapped. The Mobile Priority Service Plans assign a set amount of “Mobile Priority” data to customers each month. Mobile Priority data is given network precedence over Standard and Mobile data, meaning users will experience faster and more consistent download and upload speeds, as described in the Fair Use Policy. See the Starlink Specifications for details on the expected performance. Stated speeds and uninterrupted use of the Service are not guaranteed and are highly dependent on geographical areas. Unused Mobile Priority data does not rollover to the next month. After a user’s Mobile Priority data is exhausted each month, behavior of the Service will depend on the when Starlink is being used:
a) For inland coverage (including lakes and rivers), after Mobile Priority data is exhausted, users will receive unlimited Mobile data, which will result in slower speeds and degradation of bandwidth intensive applications during times of network congestion. Additional Mobile Priority data is available by opting into paying for additional data per GB via your Starlink app or account;
b) For ocean coverage, after Mobile Priority data is exhausted, users will be unable to connect to the internet except to access their Starlink account on www.starlink.com, where additional Mobile Priority data can be purchased, so that a user may reconnect to the internet.
Changes by Starlink. Starlink may change or discontinue Service Plans, prices, these Terms, Kit versions, and the Starlink Specifications from time to time. Starlink will provide you with notice at least one month prior before materially adverse changes come into effect. Starlink will provide you with an email notice summarizing the changes and your right to cancel this Agreement. Subject to your options and conditions under Sections 4.2 (Service Cancellation by Customer) and 4.3 (Kit Return and Full Refund) by continuing to use the Services you agree to any changes.
Service Cancellation by Customer. You can stop the recurring monthly payment, cancel Services, and terminate this Agreement at any time via your Starlink account located within the Starlink Customer Portal. To avoid being billed for the following month of Services you must cancel Services prior to your invoice statement being generated. You are not entitled to any refunds, except as set forth under Section 4.3 (Kit Return and Full Refund).
Kit Return and Full Refund. You may return an undamaged, untampered and unmodified Starlink Kit and any accessories within 30 days of the Payment Due Date for a full refund for any reason, including the inability to receive Services due to field-of-view issues. If you purchased a Starlink Kit or accessories, you will be refunded the price of the equipment. To return the Starlink Kit or any accessories, follow instructions in the Return Policy in the Starlink Customer Portal.
Termination by Starlink. Starlink may, at any time, without prior notice, immediately terminate or suspend all or a portion of your account and/or access to the Services for (a) a violation of these Terms, including the Starlink Acceptable Use Policy; (b) a request and/or order from law enforcement, a judicial body, or other government agency; (c) unexpected technical or security issues or problems, including but not limited to a material malfunction of the Starlink network, software or hardware; (d) a failure to obtain or maintain the necessary governmental authorizations required to deliver Services; (e) your participation in fraudulent or illegal activities; (f) your withdrawal of consent to allow Starlink to use your personal data to comply with applicable laws as described in the Starlink Privacy Policy; (g) for convenience, after a 30 day notice; or (h) your failure to pay any fees owed for Services if you have not cured such non-payment within 10-day period of receiving a request to cure from Starlink.
Limited Warranty. The Starlink Kit and Services are novel, under development, and subject to change. Starlink will use reasonable efforts to facilitate that the Starlink Kit, at the time of delivery, and the Services, as performed, substantially meet performance goals set forth in the Starlink Specifications applicable to your Service Plan. Starlink performance goals will be amended by Starlink from time to time based on experience and innovation. The Starlink Kit and Services are subject to the following Limited Warranty.
Exclusions and Force Majeure. Starlink is not responsible for damage to the Starlink Kit after delivery, or for the operation of the Kit or the Services resulting from: (a) manual re-pointing of the antenna; (b) repair, modification, or disassembly of Starlink Kit by anyone other than Starlink or its authorized agent; (c) failure to follow instructions, including by obstructing the Starlink Kit’s field of view; (d) fire, flood, wind, lightning, earthquake, weather, or other acts of nature or God; (e) spills of food or liquids on Starlink Kit; (f) planned or emergency maintenance on the network; (f) problems with your electrical power or network equipment; (g) acts of war, misuse, abuse, accident, vandalism, alteration, or neglect; (h) normal wear and tear or deterioration, or superficial defects, dents, or marks that do not impact performance of the Starlink Kit; (i) use in combination with devices not provided or approved by Starlink; (j) inability to obtain or maintain necessary permissions, authorizations, or permits; or (k) events not reasonably within Starlink’s control.
Limited Remedies. The Starlink Kit and Services are subject to the following Limited Warranty.
DISCLAIMERS. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 5.1 (LIMITED WARRANTY), STARLINK PROVIDES THE STARLINK KIT AND SERVICES “AS IS,” WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION. STARLINK DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY. STARLINK WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INDIRECT DAMAGES, LOSS OF GOODWILL OR BUSINESS PROFITS, LOST REVENUE, WORK STOPPAGE, LOSS OR CORRUPTION OF DATA, COMPUTER FAILURE, DATA SECURITY BREACH, MALFUNCTION OR ANY LOSSES OR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE KIT INSTALLATION, REPAIR, REMOVAL, OR OTHER ASSOCIATED SERVICES. STARLINK’S LIABILITY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL CLAIM OR ALL CLAIMS IN THE AGGREGATE WILL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL AMOUNT PAID BY YOU TO STARLINK UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OVER THE SIX MONTHS PROCEEDING THE CLAIM GIVING RISE TO THE LIABILITY. THE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION WILL APPLY TO ANY CLAIMS OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE AGREEMENT, SERVICES OR STARLINK KIT, INCLUDING ANY EXEMPLARY OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER STARLINK WAS INFORMED OR WAS AWARE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSS OR DAMAGE AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER CLAIMS ARE ASSERTED BASED ON CONTRACT, STATUTE, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, NEGLIGENCE, OR OTHER LEGAL OR EQUITABLE CLAIM OR THEORY PROVIDED, EXCEPT IF AND TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY LIMITATION VIOLATES APPLICABLE MANDATORY LAW THAT THE PARTIES CANNOT DEROGATE FROM BY WAY OF CONTRACT.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK. YOU AGREE THAT THE SERVICES ARE ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES AND ARE NOT SUITED OR INTENDED AS A VESSEL-CRITICAL, MISSION-CRITICAL OR SAFETY-OF-LIFE SERVICE. YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES AND THE STARLINK KIT, AND SUCH USE BY ANYONE USING YOUR ACCOUNT, IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK.
General. You must comply with all laws and regulations applicable or related to the performance of obligations under this Agreement. Starlink may seek authorizations for you to use the Service and Kit within the territorial waters of certain jurisdictions. You acknowledge and agree that you are solely responsible for (a) understanding and complying with all applicable laws and regulations associated with the use of the Services and Kit, (b) obtaining any required authorizations, and (c) ceasing use of the Services or Kit where necessary based on the Registered Vessel’s geographic location. You agree to comply with all Notice to Mariners (NOTMAR), and to stay clear of the designated hazard areas related to SpaceX rocket launches. A violation of this Section may result in the suspension of services or termination of the agreement.
Privacy. The parties agree that Starlink is the “data controller” (business primarily responsible for any personal information collected and processed (as defined by any applicable global privacy law or regulation (e.g., GDPR)) for your employees, crew, representatives or agents, as applicable. The parties also agree that you are the “data controller” for any personal information of any third-party end-users you grant access to the Services. Starlink’s privacy and data protection practices are in its Starlink Services Privacy Policy, as amended from time to time. Any personal information for which you are the data controller must be governed by your privacy policy which must comply with applicable laws and be clearly posted for any third-party end users that you allow to use the Services.
Acceptable Use Policy. You agree not to use, or permit others to use, the Services in ways that (a) violate any law or applicable regulation, (b) violate this Agreement, including the Acceptable Use Policy, or other policies available on the Starlink Customer Portal, (c) infringe the rights of others, (d) interfere with the users, Services, or Starlink Kit of the Starlink network or other networks, or (e) are outside the Permitted Use described in Section 1.2 of this Agreement. You and your permitted users are responsible for complying with the terms for any third-party services that you and your permitted users subscribe to using Starlink Services.
International Trade Laws. You must comply with all applicable International Trade Controls in the context of this Agreement, including applicable export control, economic sanctions, customs/import, anti-money laundering, and anti-corruption laws and regulations. You acknowledge that you are only authorized to access Services on the Registered Vessel(s), and you will not divert the Starlink Kit or Services to any other locations, or to users or for uses that are prohibited under International Trade Controls.
Modifications to Starlink Products & Export Controls. Starlink Kits and Services are commercial communication products. Off-the-shelf, Starlink can provide communication capabilities to a variety of end-users, such as consumers, schools, businesses and other commercial entities, hospitals, humanitarian organizations, non-governmental and governmental organizations in support of critical infrastructure and other services, including during times of crisis. However, Starlink is not designed or intended for use with or in offensive or defensive weaponry or other comparable end-uses. Custom modifications of the Starlink Kits or Services for military end-uses or military end-users may transform the items into products controlled under U.S. export control laws, specifically the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 C.F.R. §§ 120-130) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 C.F.R. §§ 730-774) requiring authorizations from the United States government for the export, support, or use outside the United States. Starlink aftersales support to customers is limited exclusively to standard commercial service support. At its sole discretion, Starlink may refuse to provide technical support to any modified Starlink products.
Security Measures. You acknowledge and agree that Starlink administers and enforces cybersecurity policies and procedures to identify and respond to incidents involving Starlink data, mitigate the effects of any such incidents, document their outcomes, and notify appropriate stakeholders (including authorities and affected data subjects, as appropriate).
Without prior written consent, neither party may use the other party’s trade names, trademarks, logos, domain names, and other distinctive brand features.
You agree to defend and indemnify Starlink against any third party claims against Starlink based your use of the Services. This includes, but is not limited to, if you or anyone using your account uses Services in ways that are (a) illegal or violate this Agreement or Starlink’s Acceptable Use Policy (for example illegally downloading movies or music without paying for them); or (b) negligent, reckless or intentionally wrongful.
You may not assign, sell or transfer this Agreement, software installed on the Starlink Kit, or access to Services without Starlink’s consent. Unauthorized transfers or assignment will be null and void. Starlink may terminate this Agreement for cause if you attempt to transfer Services or this Agreement. If your Starlink Kit is stolen, destroyed or otherwise removed from the Registered Vessel(s) without your authorization, you must provide notice via the Starlink Customer Portal immediately, or else you may be liable for payment of unauthorized use of the Services. You are liable for any charges or fees incurred by the use of the Services and Starlink Kit by anyone else. Starlink can assign this Agreement, in whole or in part, without notice to you and in Starlink’s sole discretion, to any entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control as Starlink, or any entity that is a successor in a sale, spinoff, acquisition or merger of Starlink, provided that the assignee can lawfully perform the obligations of the assignor, and Services may be provided by one or more legally authorized Starlink affiliates.
For Services provided to, on, or in orbit around the planet Earth or the Moon, these Terms and any disputes between us arising out of or related to this Agreement, including disputes regarding arbitrability (“Disputes”) will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California in the United States. For Services provided on Mars, or in transit to Mars via Starship or other colonization spacecraft, the parties recognize Mars as a free planet and that no Earth-based government has authority or sovereignty over Martian activities. Accordingly, Disputes will be settled through self-governing principles, established in good faith, at the time of Martian settlement.
Please carefully read Section 11 (Agreement to Arbitrate), which applies to any Disputes between you and Starlink.
Under this Agreement, you and Starlink each waive any and all rights to have a court or jury hear or decide any Disputes. Rather, Disputes will be settled by a single arbitrator in Los Angeles, California, in a binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in accordance with the United States Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA. To learn more about the rules and how to begin an arbitration, you may call any AAA office or go to www.adr.org.
Notice to Dispute. If you have a Dispute, before initiating arbitration, you must send a written notice to starlinkresolutions@spacex.com describing your issue and your desired resolution. If your Dispute has not been resolved within 60 days of submitting a notice, you may initiate arbitration as described above.
Arbitration Costs and Fees. Each party will bear its own attorneys’ fees and costs arising out of the arbitration, and shall pay an equal share of the fees and costs of the arbitrator; provided, however, that the arbitrator shall be authorized to determine, in its sole discretion and taking into account the circumstances of the case, the conduct of the parties during the proceeding, and the result of the arbitration, to award to the prevailing party reimbursement for its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs and/or the fees and costs of the arbitrator.
PROHIBITION ON CLASS ARBITRATION. YOU AND STARLINK AGREE THAT NO DISPUTE OR CLAIM MAY BE BROUGHT OR MAINTAINED AS PART OF A CLASS ACTION OR CLASS ARBITRATION OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE ACTION OR ARBITRATION, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE APPLICABLE ARBITRATION RULES WOULD OTHERWISE PERMIT CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDINGS. ACCORDINGLY, YOU AND STARLINK MAY ONLY PURSUE A CLAIM AGAINST THE OTHER IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND MAY NOT PURSUE A CLAIM AGAINST THE OTHER ON BEHALF OF ANY OTHER PERSON, AND NO OTHER PERSON MAY PURSUE A CLAIM ON BEHALF OF YOU OR STARLINK AGAINST THE OTHER. AN ARBITRATOR MAY ENTER AN AWARD ONLY IN FAVOR OF THE INDIVIDUAL PARTY SEEKING RELIEF AND ONLY TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO PROVIDE RELIEF WARRANTED BY THAT PARTY’S INDIVIDUAL CLAIM.
FCC Authorization Notice. . Federal Communication Commission authorization to Starlink for in-motion services in the United States has been granted on a non-interference protected basis, i.e., unprotected basis with respect to operations in the 12.2-12.7 GHz band. Therefore, Starlink’s in-motion operations, including for vessels, must accept any interference received from both current and future services authorized in the band – even if such interference causes undesirable operations for Starlink Services and its customers. Starlink in-motion Services must not cause harmful interference to any authorized service in the band, whether licensed or not.
Customer Support. Customer support is available for the Services and the Kit on the Starlink Customer Portal and https://support.starlink.com/. You acknowledge and agree that Customer support provided over the phone may be recorded for training and quality purposes.
Eligibility. You must be at least 18 years old to enroll in Services. Enrollment limits may apply. Offers are contingent upon product availability. Services and Starlink Kit may not be available for all vessels or in all locations.
Severability. If any term of this Agreement is to any extent invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, such term shall be excluded to the extent of such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability; all other terms hereof shall remain in full force and effect.
Records. You should keep copies of this Agreement and any billing statements or other materials relevant to your purchase of the Starlink Kit and Services for your records. Starlink reserves the right to substitute, change, cancel or add to any part of this Agreement at any time upon notice to you, and your continued use of the Services constitutes agreement to the updated Terms. Visit the Starlink Customer Portal for the most current Terms.
Electronic Delivery Policy, Consent and Notices. You consent to receive all agreements, updates, disclosures, policies, notices, and other information (collectively, “Notices”) provided by Starlink or its affiliates via paper and/or electronic delivery at Starlink’s sole discretion. Starlink may deliver or display Notices to you by email or pop-up window, or by posting a message on the Servicesthe Starlink App, or the Starlink Customer Portal. You may receive periodic texts, emails, or other communications from Starlink, such as notices regarding expiration of your account and changes to this Agreements.
No Waiver. No waiver by Starlink of any breach of this Agreement will be a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach. No waiver by Starlink of any right under this Agreement will be construed as a waiver of any other right. Starlink will not be required to give notice to enforce strict adherence to this Agreement. A waiver must be provided in writing by an authorized representative of Starlink to be effective.
Additional Contracts. For Services provided in certain jurisdictions outside the United States, you or your local affiliate may be required to enter into a separate local country addendum/agreement with the respective Starlink affiliate that provides the local Service(s). Such Starlink affiliate may bill you or your local affiliate for the respective local Services.