Starlink is offering 30 days of free internet to survivors of Hurricane Helene. But there’s one big catch
When Starlink CEO Elon Musk announced on October 1 that all residents in the damage path of Hurricane Helene were eligible for 30 days of free service, many people did not consider the costs of the disaster. Purchase of equipment for $349.
On October 1, Musk tweeted that SpaceX is forcing a system update that will allow “all Starlinks in the affected areas to operate regardless of payment.”
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Although Starlink also announced that around 500 Starlink kits are deployed in Appalachia – a region particularly devastated by Hurricane Helene – those who do not receive the kits from an organization will have to foot the bill for the equipment themselves. After 30 days, Starlink will switch you to a paid plan and charge you the standard monthly service fee of $120.
from Starlink Hurricane Helene relief page provides detailed instructions for new or current customers, including customers activating multiple kits at once. That page now includes a note reminding users that they need a Starlink kit to activate the 30-day service.
This is an example of what your bill will be if you activate Starlink’s 30-day free internet service as part of Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
If you currently own a Starlink kit, you will need to sign up and create a support ticket to receive the free 30-day subscription.
According to one government press release on Oct. 2, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Starlink partnered to deliver 67 Starlink kits to North Carolina, “including three Starlinks for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation and four Starlinks for critical lifeline locations.” Those who do not receive Starlink kits from the government will need to purchase the $349 kit through the website or from a retailer such as Best Buy or Home Depot.
You can check if your province is eligible for the free internet service by entering your address on the Starlink website.
Starlink’s Hurricane Helene relief map shows the counties eligible for one month of free Starlink Internet service.
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm and devastated Appalachia with flooding, landslides and power outages. Free internet offers from Spectrum and offers from other providers can provide a vital lifeline for people who still have limited resources.
