# OpenAI Halts $200 Astra Pro Sign-ups

URL: https://technosports.co.in/openai-halts-200-astra-pro-sign-ups/  
Published: 2026-09-12  
Updated: 2026-09-12  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

OpenAI has slammed the brakes on its premium $200 Pro Astra tier following unprecedented demand. While the high-end subscription is paused, cheaper plans remain active. Beyond server strain, European users face a bigger hurdle: Astra lacks local data residency, forcing sensitive traffic to US servers. For now, OpenAI is prioritizing system stability over expansion as the infrastructure struggles to keep pace.