SpaceX’s Starlink, led by Elon Musk, recently announced that it would offer free internet service for 30 days to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. This generous gesture, however, has significant caveats. While the service is supposedly free, affected users still need to pay for the necessary hardware, which includes a Starlink terminal costing nearly $400 after taxes and shipping fees.
The announcement gained widespread attention when Musk tweeted that Starlink terminals would work automatically “without [the] need for payment” in the disaster-affected areas. However, as many discovered while trying to sign up, the cost of the terminal is not waived, even in disaster zones like Boone, North Carolina. Reports suggest a discounted price of $299 for the terminal, but that’s not clearly stated on Starlink’s website.
Existing Starlink users seeking to have their fees waived due to the disaster must submit a support ticket, which will be reviewed by the company. After the initial 30-day period, those who receive the free service will be moved to a paid subscription plan of $120 per month, adding further costs for users already struggling to recover.
Kinney Baughman, a Boone resident, pointed out that while the service might benefit those in isolated areas without alternative connectivity, for most, it’s a costly commitment disguised as aid. He noted that by the time the equipment arrives, other internet services might be restored, making the need for Starlink less pressing.
Critics argue that Musk’s initiative seems more like a marketing strategy than genuine humanitarian aid. As Baughman put it, the offer feels like a “play on the desperation” of those affected by the disaster, using their dire circumstances to build a customer base. Despite the initial goodwill, the reality of Starlink’s free service appears to be far less charitable than advertised.
