Shentel Targets Starlink With $1,500 Surcharge Warning as Q2 Churn Falls to 1.21%
Updated
Updated · Light Reading · Aug 14
Shentel Targets Starlink With $1,500 Surcharge Warning as Q2 Churn Falls to 1.21%
2 articles · Updated · Light Reading · Aug 14
Summary
Shentel posted a dedicated July 29 webpage arguing Starlink bills can run hundreds or thousands of dollars above advertised prices, citing equipment fees, optional data charges and demand surcharges of up to $1,500.
On its Q2 earnings call the same day, CEO Edward McKay said satellite competition hurt less than in Q1 and remained only a small contributor to churn, with no material impact in Glo Fiber markets.
Shentel linked the easing pressure to Starlink pulling back aggressive promotions such as free equipment and introductory rates, while saying capacity constraints can also drive Starlink's demand-based pricing.
The company reported 6,200 Glo Fiber net adds, its 100,000th customer, 5.5% revenue growth to $93.5 million and fiber businesses contributing 51% of consolidated revenue.
The pushback underscores how seriously cable and fiber operators still view low-Earth-orbit broadband, even as Shentel says its average monthly churn stayed at an industry-low 1.21% in Q2.