Elon Musk’s offers to help during disasters, like his recent pledge to provide 30 days of free Starlink service in areas impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, are increasingly raising eyebrows.
On the surface, this might seem like an act of generosity, but when you dig a little deeper, concerns start to emerge about the true intentions and practicality of these offers. For starters, the offer isn’t actually free at all. Anyone interested still has to fork over roughly $400 for the necessary starter kit. Starlink’s website waives the service charge for users in the affected hurricane regions. However, the total cost, including the hardware, tax, shipping, and handling, still amounts to roughly $396. Users are then automatically enrolled in a $120 monthly contract once the free trial month ends. This could leave people already struggling financially after a disaster with an unexpected burden.
Additionally, the time it takes to receive the equipment—quoted at 2-3 weeks—may render it pointless, as traditional internet or cellular services could be restored by then. Not to mention, many affected areas lack the electricity needed even to power a Starlink dish. Another concern is that you need an already established internet connection to sign up for Starlink in the first place, which makes the offer feel like more of a PR move than a genuine solution for the millions affected by the recent natural disasters.
Hurricane Helene resulted in over 200 deaths and millions without power and internet access. Hurricane Milton touched down Wednesday night in Florida, and while the death toll and full damage are unknown, millions were left without electricity and internet.
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