As residents and businesses in areas impacted by hurricanes Milton and Helene begin the process of rebuilding their communities, the FCC, Starlink, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile are providing free or discounted phone and Internet service options.
Starlink's free service for 2024
For residents impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, satellite company Starlink is providing free service until the end of the year. However, users will have to purchase their own Starlink kit, which starts at $349, from Starlink or an authorized reseller to use the free service. Current customers can request a Hurricane relief credit to access the free service, which normally costs $120 a month for unlimited data on the residential plan.
The satellite company also teamed up with T-Mobile to provide basic text messaging (SMS) for those impacted by the hurricanes to connect with friends and family and to text 911 and access emergency alerts, according to Space.com.
FCC extends Lifeline program
The FCC is also providing discounted network services for qualified participants. The Commission announced a six-month waiver for discounted phone and broadband service for Hurricane Milton survivors, and survivors of future storms, through the Lifeline program.
"The agency voted to temporarily waive certain Lifeline program eligibility rules to ensure that consumers receiving federal disaster assistance can easily apply for and enroll in the Lifeline program," according to an FCC statement.
Households qualify for the Lifeline program if they receive emergency food assistance from the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in the areas affected by Hurricane Milton. Those requirements were previously waived temporarily for survivors of Hurricane Helene.
The waiver opens up service discounts to households impacted by Hurricane Milton that are receiving individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Individuals and Households Program (IHP).
"Because of the exigent circumstances that arose from Hurricane Milton, we find that there is good cause for further action to expeditiously ensure that households receive critical assistance for their communications needs in the aftermath of hurricanes and other tropical weather systems in the near term," the FCC said in its order. The FCC noted that as of October 10, 3.2 million homes and businesses were without power as a result of hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Historically, the Lifeline program, which is administered by Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), has provided discounts on fixed or mobile voice and broadband Internet access service plus bundled services to low-income consumers. Program users can receive up to a $9.25 monthly discount on Lifeline-supported broadband Internet services or a $5.25 monthly discount for Lifeline-supported voice services. The discount increases to up to $34.25 monthly for qualifying users on Tribal lands. Existing Lifeline subscribers are also protected from being disconnected in areas impacted by Hurricane Milton while recovery efforts are underway.
AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile waive fees
Among the three major wireless carriers, AT&T said it would waive talk, text and data overages for customers in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene through October 27.
"We're also waiving various charges for residential and business wireline orders placed through October 27, 2024," said AT&T in a statement. The company is also waiving overages through November 7 for customers impacted by Hurricane Milton.
AT&T donated $100,000 to Volunteer Florida, an organization assisting communities impacted by Hurricane Milton. The service provider also contributed $300,000 toward Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, according to Florida Politics.
The Verizon Foundation announced this week plans to donate $2 million, including $1 million to the American Red Cross, toward relief and recovery for communities impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton. Within that donation, $400,00 will go to Volunteer Florida, and $600,000 is earmarked for North Carolina and Georgia.
Verizon is waiving domestic call, text and data usage for postpaid consumer and Verizon Small Business customers in areas impacted by Helene (through October 27) and Milton (until October 23).
For its part, T-Mobile is offering unlimited talk, text and data service for T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Assurance Wireless customers in several hurricane-affected counties through November 11. T-Mobile said it has been encouraging customers and employees to donate to the American Red Cross, and is providing a 2:1 match for employee donations. In addition, T-Mobile is sponsoring the benefit event, "Concert for Carolina," on October 26 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event supports the North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect T-Mobile's philanthropic contributions to hurricane survivors.
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