Musk’s Starlink Internet free for hurricane victims through 2024

( NewsNation ) — Elon Musk’s internet company Starlink will offer victims of hurricanes Helene and Milton free service through the end of the year, an extension of an initial offer that received internet backlash.

“For those impacted by Hurricanes Helene or Milton, Starlink service is now free through the end of the year to help with response and recovery efforts,” the company said in a post on X , which Musk also owns.

Starlink is described as “internet from space for humans on Earth.” SpaceX, also owned by Musk, engineers it.

The company initially offered Hurricane Helene victims a free month of service, but some would-be customers noticed a price tag that came with it. Even with a $0 monthly fee, the satellite dish would cost a few hundred dollars plus shipping and taxes.

One woman posted to X that her total cost would be $344.52 as a “Helene relief” customer. After 30 days, the subscription would require a monthly payment.

Starlink offers a free 30-day trial to regular customers regardless of hurricane status. A monthly subscription for residential customers costs $120 a month for unlimited data.

Following backlash, the company issued a new offer weeks later that extended the free service through the end of the year for victims of both hurricanes Helene and Milton. The free subscription applies to residential households, both new and existing customers, and provides unlimited data, according to Starlink’s website .

Users must enter their address on their website to see if they qualify for the offer.

“Starlink is providing free service in your area for those impacted by Hurricanes Helene or Milton. Select the ‘”Hurricane Relief’ option below for this subscription,” the website says after inputting information. “These will be moved to a paid, residential subscription after the end of the year.”

Like the initial offer, this “free” internet service comes with a $349 charge for the hardware.

Delivery will take about three weeks, according to the website. Current customers who were impacted by the hurricanes must create a support ticket requesting a relief credit.

SpaceX said it has delivered more than 10,000 Starlink kits to Helene victims, as of Oct. 8. The company also said it teamed up with T-Mobile to provide “direct to cell” satellites to provide emergency alerts for all phones and carriers in affected areas. The service works best outdoors, the company said.

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