Image: Starlink
Starlink is stepping in to support communities across Indonesia following severe flooding that has devastated regions of Sumatra this week. “For those affected by the severe flooding in Indonesia, Starlink is providing free service to new and existing customers through the end of December,” Starlink says on its official Support website and in a post shared on X.
“We’re also working with the Indonesian government to rapidly deploy terminals and restore connectivity to the hardest-hit areas on Sumatra.” Major flooding caused by a tropical cyclone in Indonesia has claimed over 170 lives and cut off entire regions in West Sumatra from communications and disaster relief.
According to Starlink’s disaster response page, “For existing active customers, no action is needed. We are proactively applying free service credits to your account.” The company adds that “For currently suspended or paused customers, we are also applying free service credits, enabling you to reactivate and utilize the service credit during this time period.” New customers in impacted areas are also eligible for free service after activation, with Starlink instructing them to send in support tickets mentioning “Indonesia Flood Support.” Service credits can be viewed directly from the billing section of user accounts.
This is the latest in a long line of disaster-response efforts from SpaceX and Starlink, which have increasingly become global lifelines during emergencies. In October 2024, SpaceX delivered more than 10,000 Starlink kits to communities affected by Hurricane Helene, while also activating its Direct to Cell service with T-Mobile to provide emergency alerts and basic texting when local infrastructure failed. More recently, Starlink supported recovery efforts in Cape Verde after a destructive August storm, and the company also extended free service to Canadians impacted by wildfires later that month.
Just weeks ago, Starlink also offered free connectivity to communities in Jamaica and the Bahamas following Hurricane Melissa, underscoring how frequently Starlink has now become part of first-response communications worldwide.
With flooding in Indonesia continuing to disrupt access to essential services, the company’s rapid deployment of terminals and free service throughout the coming weeks is set to play a critical role in helping residents stay connected, coordinate aid, and begin recovery.
