[xracy]

> it's not $400

There's just no point in having this conversation, and I'd like you to understand why from my first comment. You're not having a conversation about facts. Your sources for this information have been:

1. Claiming that what the article says is wrong. 2. Tweets with no primary sources

This kind of stuff is really easy to find meaningful answers to, and you just don't and instead gainsay whatever goes against statements made by Elon. (Elon is not a reliable source for a reason).

"Starlink is providing free service for 30 days in regions affected by Hurricane Helene" <- This is meaningfully false if you have to buy the hardware to access it. $400 is $400 more than free.

[inemesitaffia]

Oh I forgot. There's organizations giving out free gasoline and propane.

Do they have to give out free cars, generators or gas stoves for it to be legit for you? Free Jerry Cans? Gas Cylinders?

I know how starlink works. I don't need to ask people on the Internet or read articles. I know at least two network engineers there from a mailing list I was on before they joined SpaceX . And I contacted one I saw on TV. I also have correspondence with researchers who reveal non public information about it.

Free service is meaningful even if you have to buy a private jet to use it. Apple's SOS is free and Google's SOS is free to the user.

So is Starlink service in hurricane areas.

Having to buy a device doesn't negate anything.

If I give out free WiFi I'm not beholden to give people free devices to connect to it either.

The truth is even if the device was free with one month of free service, it would just change what you complain about. For some people nothing is ever enough.

[inemesitaffia]

Free service isn't free hardware.

https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/free-internet-hurricane-h...

Verizon is also offering free service for 30 days. Go get your free iPhone 16 Pro Max from them without a contract to take advantage of the offer .

Until then it's meaningfully true to me

[inemesitaffia]

https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/free-internet-hurricane-h...

There's an offer here for free service from Verizon. Is it meaningfully false if they aren't giving free phones?

What about Starlink direct to Cell?

Apple's SOS?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/STARLINK-Standard-Kit-High-Speed...

That's 349 at Home Depot as an example

Another thing you've missed is activation isn't required for use.

> 2. Tweets with no primary sources

As opposed to news authors who don't know how the service works?

And it's not only this author

Look at this one

https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/networking/starlinks-h...

Cited someone on Reddit. If he didn't we'd have just taken the claim as fact but when you go and check, you find out that unlike me she's not a starlink user. And when she's called out and admits she knows nothing about it she refuses to retract her claims. Just like in the comment section of the article, several people insist only FEMA rather than SpaceX and several other orgs have delivered free dishes to help. I'm sure you can find an article to buttress that claim but it's not the on ground reality

That person on Twitter is the one that asked for free service. As I pointed out he already had the equipment.

>The $400 for the hardware is highway robbery and an opportunistic cash grab.

The only way this would be true is if they increased the prices just because of this Hurricane. It's exactly around the same price as a Jupiter dish from HughesNet too. And you can sell it too. It's your property.

I don't need articles because I've installed the stuff. When you get a new dish you have one hour unlocked Internet to activate your service. Now that's 30 days. Talk about auto enrollment into some contract is easily avoided nonsense.

[12_throw_away]

Please stop.

[inemesitaffia]

No. I have insights into the issue. And the authors of this nonsense are pushing an agenda

[12_throw_away]

> I have insights into the issue

This made me lol, thanks!