(Starlink.com)
To help with Hurricane Helene relief efforts, SpaceX’s Starlink is offering one month of free internet service to those living in areas hit hardest by the storm.
"We are making a system update to allow all Starlinks in the affected areas to work, regardless of payment," Musk tweeted on Tuesday. "Software update hopefully completed tonight. Tomorrow at the latest."
The company and the US government have sent hundreds of Starlink dishes to help restore high-speed internet for residents still reeling from the hurricane.
Starlink.com site has now been updated to say it’ll supply “a free first month of service” for users impacted by Hurricane Helene. New and existing customers on the Starlink residential tier can receive the so-called “Hurricane Relief” service plan, according to a company support document that contains instructions on receiving the perk.
(Credit: Starlink.com)“If you are in need of assistance due to Hurricane Helene as a current customer, please create a support ticket requesting a Helene relief credit,” the support document says. Meanwhile, new customers can go to starlink.com/residential to see if their address qualifies.
“If you do not see the $0 option, your area is not eligible. If you believe this is in error, please let us know by contacting support,” the document adds.
New customers will still need to pay $299 for the Starlink dish hardware, with shipments slated to arrive in one or two weeks, according to Starlink.com. The company has since published a map, showing where the hurricane relief is being offered.
(Starlink.com)Existing Starlink users in the area say the satellite internet service has been a godsend.
“We have been without power since Friday at 5AM. We are using the Ford F150 Lightning to power the whole house, including Starlink,” wrote one user on Reddit. “No cell service (we have all 3 carriers among all of us, all are down) and cable went down when the power went down. Starlink has been keeping us sane!”
At the same time, Starlink access in the region has turned into a political battle. On Monday, GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump said he talked to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk about sending Starlink units to hurricane-struck areas. Musk, who has publicly endorsed Trump, later retweeted a video clip showing Trump thanking him for delivering those units.
In response, the White House said Starlink deliveries were already in the works and not due to Trump's nudging.