Starlink Provides Emergency Internet in Indonesia Following Severe Floods

Starlink is providing free internet service to communities in Indonesia following severe flooding that has affected regions of Sumatra. The flooding, caused by a tropical cyclone, has resulted in over 170 fatalities and cut off entire areas in West Sumatra from essential communication and disaster relief.

According to information from Starlink's official Support website and a post shared on X, the company is collaborating with the Indonesian government to swiftly deploy satellite terminals and restore connectivity to the most severely impacted regions.

Existing customers, including those with suspended accounts, will receive free service credits automatically applied to their accounts. New customers in the affected areas are also eligible for free service after activation, with instructions to submit support tickets noting 'Indonesia Flood Support.' Starlink's rapid disaster response capabilities have made it a crucial player in emergency situations worldwide.

This is not the first instance of Starlink providing support in the wake of disasters. In October 2024, SpaceX delivered more than 10,000 Starlink kits to communities affected by Hurricane Helene, and it activated its Direct to Cell service with T-Mobile for emergency alerts and basic texting when local infrastructure failed.

More recently, Starlink assisted recovery efforts in Cape Verde following a devastating storm in August and extended free service to Canadians impacted by wildfires during the same month. Just weeks prior to the flooding in Indonesia, Starlink provided free connectivity to communities in Jamaica and the Bahamas after Hurricane Melissa.

The ongoing flooding in Indonesia continues to disrupt access to essential services, making Starlink's deployment of terminals and free service critical for residents to remain connected, coordinate aid, and commence recovery efforts.

This initiative underscores Starlink's growing role as a vital resource in first-response communications during humanitarian crises, enhancing its value proposition in global disaster response efforts.

According to the report from Tesla North, Starlink's initiatives highlight the increasing reliance on satellite internet for emergency communications during disasters.