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Starlink offering free internet access for 30 days for Hurricane Helene victims

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Re: Starlink offering free internet access for 30 days for Hurricane Helene victims

#31

Post by jagtstronaut »

matthewdgreen wrote: post #24
jagtstronaut wrote: post #17

Despite the hate on the promo the tech they offer is still pretty cool. Only way I knew my in-laws were safe near Asheville was because one of their neighbors had starlink and a generator. Took a week for them to get power and cell phone service back and there is no way to get to them without a helicopter so if it wasn't for the product we would have just learned that they were alright.

To ask a tech question: how much capacity does Starlink have? If every single person in US rural areas switches to Starlink, can the system handle it? What's the bandwidth/customers/capacity limit for the service? (I'm obviously not talking about emergencies, where degraded bandwidth is acceptable.)

At least last time I looked into starlink it most definitely cannot. Definitely more ideal for very rural or very poor areas where you are gonna be one of a few dishes. That may have changed now though.

Re: Starlink offering free internet access for 30 days for Hurricane Helene victims

#33

Post by rdl »

foobarqux wrote: post #9

Why doesn't the government have a few planes or blimps fly overhead with base stations from the major mobile carriers?

Definitely a lot of value in a drone/balloon/etc. fleet to 1) restore communications using satellite + mesh 2) overhead imagery for direct support of rescue/recovery/rebuilding 3) supporting rescue (and later recovery) operations by finding phones and sending messages in broadcast, etc. Augments what can be done from satellites or manned aircraft already.

Re: Starlink offering free internet access for 30 days for Hurricane Helene victims

#34

Post by duxup »

hathawsh wrote: post #20
duxup wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most of the comments so far about the nuts and bolts usage. The downside of talking about not expressing "political overtones" is that you did bring it up, and I honestly don't even know exactly what those "political overtones" would be anyhow as it relates to this story specifically anyhow.

The political spin is in the article. Edit: I was referring to this article: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-he-spoke-musk-ab... I originally thought the HN post linked to that article, but I see now it was only in a comment. Sorry!

The star link page?

Re: Starlink offering free internet access for 30 days for Hurricane Helene victims

#35

Post by realce »

silisili wrote: post #18
duxup wrote: post #12

You gotta have the hardware right? Isn't this then just ... kinda a normal "free 30 days" offer? This seems not far from handing out free AOL disks, except you also need some added hardware?

They're mostly getting the hardware for free. A lot of people in TN and elsewhere are delivering and installing Starlink units for free to the disaster areas(more than the US govt), and begging Elon for free service. Seems like he or someone at Starlink was listening.

> They're mostly getting the hardware for free.

No.

Ordering this costs $320 and takes 1-2 weeks. They even charge for shipping and handling.

By the time you get this, internet and cell service will most likely be re-established. I live 20 miles outside of Asheville, this is basically profiteering off a disaster imo.

Much easier for the richest man on Earth to simply install a hundred base stations himself. Instead, people who just had their lives washed away need to pay his company 300 bucks.

Re: Starlink offering free internet access for 30 days for Hurricane Helene victims

#36

Post by Spooky23 »

option wrote: post #11
foobarqux wrote: post #9

Why doesn't the government have a few planes or blimps fly overhead with base stations from the major mobile carriers?

because the government somehow lost its ability to execute any meaningful project especially under time constraints

More like because people ignorant of issues find it easier to chirp about why everyone is stupid.

The government has agreements in place with all of the carriers to reestablish cellular communications. The first phases are around emergency communications for first responders and recovery. The next priority is restoring power to light up recoverable infrastructure.

There a plan, and the people coordinating this stuff are good at what they are doing. That doesn’t mean your uncle will be back watching Netflix - the priority is restoring basic services so that you get closer to normal quickly.

Re: Starlink offering free internet access for 30 days for Hurricane Helene victims

#37

Post by silisili »

realce wrote: post #35
silisili wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're mostly getting the hardware for free. A lot of people in TN and elsewhere are delivering and installing Starlink units for free to the disaster areas(more than the US govt), and begging Elon for free service. Seems like he or someone at Starlink was listening.

> They're mostly getting the hardware for free. No. Ordering this costs $320 and takes 1-2 weeks. They even charge for shipping and handling. By the time you get this, internet and cell service will most likely be re-established. I live 20 miles outside of Asheville, this is basically profiteering off a disaster imo. Much easier for the richest man on Earth to simply install a hundred base stations himself. Instead,…

To be clear, I didn't mean for free from Starlink, I meant free via donation.

I follow a half dozen accounts in the area, and they're all donating a lot.

Here is one, for example. Ignore the politics and just scroll through the Starlink posts -

https://x.com/robbystarbuck

Here's another that claims Starlink drove the units straight out. Unclear if they were free or not.

https://x.com/TheShawnHendrix/status/1841823155511320684

Re: Starlink offering free internet access for 30 days for Hurricane Helene victims

#38

Post by [deleted] »

realce wrote: post #6
wnevets wrote: post #3

Is this separate from what federal government is paying for? [1] [1] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-he-spoke-musk-ab...

Yes it is separate. This program is about base stations that are publicly accessible wifi, which Verizon is also doing in the area. This is just a "first month free" promotion.

[deleted]

Re: Starlink offering free internet access for 30 days for Hurricane Helene victims

#39

Post by [deleted] »

jagtstronaut wrote: post #17

Despite the hate on the promo the tech they offer is still pretty cool. Only way I knew my in-laws were safe near Asheville was because one of their neighbors had starlink and a generator. Took a week for them to get power and cell phone service back and there is no way to get to them without a helicopter so if it wasn't for the product we would have just learned that they were alright.

[deleted]
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