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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(m

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.

realce 2y ago
> 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.
- silisili 2y ago
  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 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 https://x.com/TheShawnHendrix/status/1841823155511320684
  - duxup 2y ago
    Nothing personal but that's "a lot" of vague, qualified, and loaded phrases like "mostly free" "more than the US govt" and such ... but the source is just some guy's twitter page?
    - silisili 2y ago
      Understood. I'm trying to be careful with absolutes here. I can't attest that not a single person in the area placed a full price order. As for the number, it's happening fast and I only happened to follow a few, so don't even want to provide a guess. More than 100 units just in what I've come across in the last week. Pinning down an exact number is likely impossible. FEMA claims to have set up 40 units.
    - UberFly 2y ago
      You are coming across as someone with an axe to grind. There are plenty of private people and organizations getting supplies to the areas in need. Starlink hardware is definitely included as it's the best way to get remote communication up and going at the moment.
      - duxup 2y ago
        I like accuracy, numbers, details. I see statements that seem to say something specific but with a lot of qualifiers and vagueness and I start to wonder. I was satisfied with the other person's response.
        inemesitaffia 2y ago
        There's 500 dishes directly from SpaceX that are free hardware and service. Dishes and service paid in full for by FEMA, organizations and individuals. Some people have dishes and are having trouble signing up for service, usually new Starlink dishes have an hour of free service. Now that's 30 days. If you already have a dish and you turn it on it will just work. No sign up, no accounts
      - threeseed 2y ago
        [flagged]
        lupusreal 2y ago
        > But it's simply a lie to imply that everyone is [getting supplies.] It's a lie to say anybody implied that.
  - threeseed 2y ago
    [flagged]
    - inemesitaffia 2y ago
      They (people who need service in the area going to central places where aid is delivered) are mostly getting it for free
- AdamJacobMuller 2y ago
  You don't need to wait weeks. My local home depot has 9 in stock with dozens more nearby.
kotaKat 2y ago
We've got people as far up as the top of NY sending truckloads of supplies down to the disaster areas and Starlink dishes are easy to throw on from local Best Buys/Home Depots/etc that have them.
seadan83 2y ago
Why don't the good samaritans also pay for the service? Serious question. 300 bucks for the equipment, what is another 120 for a month? Why bring the 300 dollar kit if the service cannot be payed for? Some folks wanted to stock up, but couldn't. [1] Storm was near the end of the month, people were waiting for their paycheck, and so just had no money to buy supplies, let alone a starlink kit or the service. [1] source: I have family in the Asheville area. I hope to be with and helping them soon.
- inemesitaffia 2y ago
  People have the hardware but are having issues signing up.

realce 2y ago

> 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.

silisili 2y ago
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 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 https://x.com/TheShawnHendrix/status/1841823155511320684
- duxup 2y ago
  Nothing personal but that's "a lot" of vague, qualified, and loaded phrases like "mostly free" "more than the US govt" and such ... but the source is just some guy's twitter page?
  - silisili 2y ago
    Understood. I'm trying to be careful with absolutes here. I can't attest that not a single person in the area placed a full price order. As for the number, it's happening fast and I only happened to follow a few, so don't even want to provide a guess. More than 100 units just in what I've come across in the last week. Pinning down an exact number is likely impossible. FEMA claims to have set up 40 units.
  - UberFly 2y ago
    You are coming across as someone with an axe to grind. There are plenty of private people and organizations getting supplies to the areas in need. Starlink hardware is definitely included as it's the best way to get remote communication up and going at the moment.
    - duxup 2y ago
      I like accuracy, numbers, details. I see statements that seem to say something specific but with a lot of qualifiers and vagueness and I start to wonder. I was satisfied with the other person's response.
      - inemesitaffia 2y ago
        There's 500 dishes directly from SpaceX that are free hardware and service. Dishes and service paid in full for by FEMA, organizations and individuals. Some people have dishes and are having trouble signing up for service, usually new Starlink dishes have an hour of free service. Now that's 30 days. If you already have a dish and you turn it on it will just work. No sign up, no accounts
    - threeseed 2y ago
      [flagged]
      - lupusreal 2y ago
        > But it's simply a lie to imply that everyone is [getting supplies.] It's a lie to say anybody implied that.
- threeseed 2y ago
  [flagged]
  - inemesitaffia 2y ago
    They (people who need service in the area going to central places where aid is delivered) are mostly getting it for free
AdamJacobMuller 2y ago
You don't need to wait weeks. My local home depot has 9 in stock with dozens more nearby.

kotaKat 2y ago

We've got people as far up as the top of NY sending truckloads of supplies down to the disaster areas and Starlink dishes are easy to throw on from local Best Buys/Home Depots/etc that have them.

seadan83 2y ago

Why don't the good samaritans also pay for the service? Serious question. 300 bucks for the equipment, what is another 120 for a month? Why bring the 300 dollar kit if the service cannot be payed for? Some folks wanted to stock up, but couldn't. [1] Storm was near the end of the month, people were waiting for their paycheck, and so just had no money to buy supplies, let alone a starlink kit or the service. [1] source: I have family in the Asheville area. I hope to be with and helping them soon.

inemesitaffia 2y ago
People have the hardware but are having issues signing up.