Starlink internet service free for people affected by Hurricane Helene

Technology: SpaceX is providing free access to its Starlink broadband services for the remainder of 2024 in areas affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton. Starlink is a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX. It uses a constellation of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit to provide high-speed internet access to users on the ground.

In the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton, SpaceX has distributed more than 10,000 Starlink kits, which include the receiver needed to access the service, waived monthly fees and enabled emergency alerts on cellular networks in affected areas. Hurricane Helene made landfall in northwest Florida on September 26 as a Category 4 storm, followed shortly by Hurricane Milton on October 9, which made landfall on Florida’s west-central Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm. The successive storms caused devastating flooding, food and water shortages, and widespread power and communications disruptions.

“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,” SpaceX announced Friday (Oct. 11) in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The company’s decision comes after it planned to initially provide free service for 30 days in areas affected by Hurricane Helene. However, the monthly service fee (normally $120 per month) was removed for the rest of the year due to Hurricane Milton’s after-effects.