Starlink, the satellite internet service provided by SpaceX, is now offering refurbished units of its Starlink dishes at a discounted price in Australia. With a regular starting price of $599, the refurbished units are priced at just $299, a 50% discount. Although the company assures that the refurbished equipment undergoes thorough cleaning and inspection, it functions the same as a standard order. The promotion will run until September 26, while supplies last.

Previously, there were allegations from some subscribers claiming that SpaceX had been selling refurbished units without notifying them. However, SpaceX denies these claims and states that unless explicitly mentioned in a support ticket interaction, all Starlinks are shipped brand new. The company acknowledges that during shipping, minor scuffing or dust may appear on the packaging of the dish.

It is yet unclear if SpaceX plans to expand the sales of refurbished hardware to other markets. The recent approval from the FCC to sell smaller next-generation dishes indicates that SpaceX may be clearing out inventory of older dishes to make room for the new hardware. Selling refurbished units not only provides a financial advantage to customers but also helps SpaceX attract more customers.

Despite the allegations and delays in reaching its target, SpaceX recently reported that Starlink has surpassed 2 million active customers. This marks a significant increase from the 1 million active subscribers in December of the previous year. The company had originally aimed to have 20 million Starlink customers by now, according to an internal presentation from 2015.