--- title: "No, SpaceX’s Starlink Internet Isn’t Free for All Hurricane Survivors" description: "Elon Musk said that Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet provider, would be free for victims of Hurricane Helene. Shockingly: it's not." date: "2024-10-09" modified: "2024-10-09" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/starlink-internet-hurricane-free" categories: - "Future Society" - "Space" - "SpaceX" tags: - "elon musk" - "SpaceX" - "starlink" - "the digest" --- # No, SpaceX’s Starlink Internet Isn’t Free for All Hurricane Survivors ![Elon Musk said that Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet provider, would be free for victims of Hurricane Helene. Shockingly: it's not.]() *\Image: Getty / Futurism\* ## Free\* Elon Musk said that Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet provider, would be free for victims of Hurricane Helene. But that promise comes with a considerable caveat. In the wake of the destructive storm, Musk took to X-formerly-Twitter to [repeatedly]() [declare]() that Starlink had issued a system update allowing internet access without the need for payment. In a [separate post](), Starlink promised that "for those impacted by Hurricane Helene, or looking to support response and recovery efforts in affected areas, Starlink is now free for 30 days." But as [*The Register* reported](), though Starlink is footing the *subscription* bill for 30 days' worth of internet service, users are still expected to shell out nearly $400 for one of Starlink's hardware terminals. As it goes without saying, 400 bucks is a far cry from "free" — especially for folks already dealing with the high-piling expenses of hurricane evacuation, damages, and recovery. What can we say? When an [attention-thirsty]() billionaire announces free stuff for victims of extreme natural disasters, it's important to read the fine print. ## Added Disclaimer A [screen recording taken by the *Register*]() shows the cart total for someone living in a Starlink-designated hurricane zone — the offer is geofenced — tallying up to $393.91. In addition to taxes, a shipping charge is added to the final purchase. After the *Register's* article was published, a [telling disclaimer]() appeared on Starlink's support page. "Please note: A Starlink kit is required to access this free service," the notice reads. "If you do not already have a Starlink kit, you will need to purchase one from starlink.com/residential or an authorized retailer such as Best Buy or Home Depot." IT expert Kenny Baughman, who lives in the Helene-hit area of Boone, North Carolina, told the *Register* that Starlink's misleading offer was a "play on desperation." (Baughman also [left a comment]() in a post-hurricane help group on Facebook calling the offer a "crafty bait and switch.**"**) "When someone comes along and says I'm going to give you free internet, people start going nuts," Baughman told the *Register*. "Starlink is pulling on the heartstrings of people overwhelmed by disaster." He also added that because of other ongoing issues like a lack of power in the region, it doesn't really make that much sense for most area inhabitants, anyway. Elsewhere, Musk — who has [spent the last week spewing misinformation]() about the disaster and the government's response — [accused]() multiple federal agencies of shutting down airspace over impacted areas, thus hindering him from delivering Starlink and other supplies to impacted areas. Neither that claim nor the notion that Starlink services would be provided to storm victims free of charge turned out to be true. **More on Elon and Helene:** [*Elon Musk Is Spreading Dangerous Hurricane Helene Conspiracy Theories*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()