SpaceX decided to provide free Starlink internet service in disaster areas after the Helene and Milton hurricanes, which affected the United States. The company announced this decision, which will be valid until the end of the year, on October 11.
Starlink praised for its responsible approach
Starlink opened its broadband internet service for free to support communication in areas affected by hurricanes. The free internet service is said to be vital, especially in areas where floods, power outages, and communication breakdowns have caused major problems.
In addition, Starlink waived monthly internet fees to meet the communication needs of the local population. Normally $120 per month, this fee was completely canceled for the remainder of the year due to the hurricanes. This way, hurricane victims will be able to access the internet for free.
This free internet service from Starlink is available to new and existing customers in Florida, Georgia, Carolina, Tennessee, and other neighboring states. Additionally, SpaceX partnered with T-Mobile to activate basic messaging and emergency alert systems in disaster areas. This allows affected people to communicate with their loved ones and access emergency messages instantly.
SpaceX launched the Starlink project in 2019, aiming to provide internet access to users via thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit. Today, there are more than 6,000 operational Starlink satellites in orbit, and this number continues to grow every day.
This move by the famous company has once again highlighted how important internet access is in times of disaster. Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the subject in the comments!