Canadians Impacted by Wildfires Can Get a Free Month of Starlink: Here's Who's Eligible

Active wildfires continue to burn across Canada, and SpaceX's Starlink is offering to help people in affected areas stay connected. The company is running a deal for a month of free satellite internet. This doesn't just include people with an active account. It includes new customers and those who have paused or previously canceled their service.

According to the company's support documentation, existing customers don't have to do anything. A one-month service credit has been proactively applied to their account. Those who used to be customers can reactivate their accounts to use the service credit, which has also been applied to their accounts. All you need is a way to power the dish and modem to stay connected.

Starlink internet doesn't rely on cell towers or fiber-optic cables, which could be damaged in fires. Instead, it uses satellites in low-Earth orbit to deliver internet to the dish on your house. This uniquely positions the company to offer essential connectivity in emergencies.

A representative for Starlink did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

New customers can also take advantage

People who don't currently have Starlink but live in an affected area can also take advantage of the free month offer. However, you must own a Starlink dish, which usually costs $499 for the standard model. An ongoing promotion can get you the hardware for free; but you have to commit to a year of residential Starlink service.

According to Starlink, once you get your dish, you should contact company support for free service through July 5. If your hardware was affected by the wildfires, you should also contact support for a free replacement.

Hurricanes and wildfires

Offering free internet to those who could otherwise be cut off can make a real difference. This isn't the first time Starlink has run promotions like this when residents face disasters, according to Joe Supan, CNET senior broadband reporter. 

"Starlink has a strong track record at this point of stepping in to provide internet service in the wake of natural disasters," said Supan."I heard from several folks on the ground in North Carolina what a lifesaver it was after Hurricane Helene last year." 

A free service deal was also offered to Los Angeles residents during the January wildfires. 

Starlink also recently announced a Residential Lite plan, which is $40 cheaper than the $120 Residential plan. While it's half the speed of the Residential plan and would be first deprioritized during peak hours, it's still a more affordable option. This plan is available in 30 US states.