Elon Musk faced backlash recently for his offer of providing “free” Starlink internet to Hurricane Helene victims. It was revealed that this offer actually requires a payment of $400 for the necessary hardware, along with an automatic enrollment in a $120 per month plan.
After Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in the southeastern United States last month, causing the tragic loss of over 200 lives, Musk took to his social network, X, to announce that those affected would be eligible to receive 30 days of complimentary high-speed internet from his company, Starlink.
Elon Musk announced that Starlink terminals in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene will now function automatically without requiring any payment.
According to the New York Post, it was not explicitly stated that in order to avail of the offer, victims would need to buy a Starlink kit for $400, which includes taxes, handling, and shipping.
Furthermore, at the conclusion of the trial period, individuals who took advantage of the complimentary 30-day offer would be automatically enrolled in a monthly plan priced at $120.
Victims of the hurricane criticized Musk’s offer as essentially worthless, despite these details being mentioned on a Starlink support page.
According to a resident of Boone, North Carolina, who was heavily impacted by the disaster, Elon Musk’s offer seemed more like a “bait and switch” aimed at taking advantage of people rather than an act of generosity .
You still need electricity to run the thing, they continued, even if someone manages to cross one or more damaged bridges and physically obtain the device. “Thousands of people still lack electricity, and hundreds or maybe thousands do not own generators.