[Katydid]

This came as a huge shock to those who only got the "free Starlink" through word of mouth here on the ground. We were told, "just go to starlink.com/activate" and type in your address. It was complete horseshit. The worst part about it was phones were in SOS mode, there was no internet anywhere, yet we could load that page to activate, which meant THERE WAS INTERNET. Just not to those who didn't pay for hardware and delivery (to places that are impossible to deliver to even today a week out). Infuriating.

[inemesitaffia]

The offer is specifically targeted at people buying at retail who have issues activating.

And has never been misleading. You can check the source yourself

[falcolas]

Source checked. Sending in free hardware, and we're creating an update to make service free. Oh, and after 30 days, you'll be renewed on a normal retail plan

Sources: Starlink on X, Musk on X, and the Starlink details page on the free service respectively.

[inemesitaffia]

I have the same sources it's an offer for free service for people with equipment.

https://x.com/Starlink/status/1841503492445176151

https://x.com/Starlink/status/1841567233417576497

You don't need to activate a plan or even make an account. The dish will just work

[falcolas]

https://www.starlink.com/support/article/58126733-e4d2-db62-...

    Go to starlink.com/residential
    Enter your address and click “Order Now”
    Select the “Helene Relief” service plan and check out

[inemesitaffia]

Starlink kit required in the post you did contrary to the post activation isn't required.

If you have a dish, you don't have to sign up for anything

[falcolas]

Those are the instructions for new customers. Existing customers can add up to 20 kits to their account you'll note.

These are absolutely tied to accounts, to addresses, to billing information.