Image: Starlink
Starlink has announced that it is providing free internet access to areas impacted by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and the Bahamas. The company said affected users will have complimentary Starlink service through the end of November to help support response and recovery efforts on the ground.
“For those impacted by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and the Bahamas, Starlink service is now free through the end of November to help with response and recovery efforts,” the company said in a post on X.
SpaceX, the company behind Starlink, has a growing track record of mobilizing its satellite internet network to assist in disaster zones. In October 2024, SpaceX delivered over 10,000 Starlink kits to communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. The company also partnered with T-Mobile, using its Direct to Cell satellites to provide emergency alerts and basic texting capabilities to those without connectivity.
More recently, Starlink stepped in to support response and recovery efforts in Cape Verde following a powerful storm that struck the island nation in August. Around the same time, the company also extended free internet service to Canadians displaced by widespread wildfires, ensuring emergency services and residents could stay connected during evacuations and infrastructure outages.
This latest initiative further highlights Starlink’s expanding humanitarian role, with its rapidly deployable satellite internet proving to be a critical tool in disaster response. With coverage spanning nearly the entire globe, Starlink has enabled first responders, NGOs, and civilians in affected areas to maintain vital communication channels when traditional networks fail.
SpaceX continues to position Starlink not only as a commercial broadband service but also as an essential tool for emergency response and global connectivity. Its quick response to crises like Hurricane Melissa underscores how the company’s satellite constellation is reshaping what’s possible for humanitarian aid and recovery efforts worldwide.
