On August 11 at 1:44 p.m. Colombia time, Starlink announced free service through September 12 for new and existing customers in affected areas. The company also says it is deploying resources for emergency agencies, but it has not yet provided a local operational assessment.
An announcement for affected areas
In a post from its official account, Starlink announced free service through September 12 for new and existing customers in earthquake-affected areas. With no more precise operational time available, the timeline uses the 1:44 p.m. publication time; the announcement appears there at 1:30 p.m.
The company also says it is deploying equipment or capacity to support emergency response agencies and restore connectivity in the hardest-hit areas. This describes an announced operation, not a result that has already been measured.
Automatic credit for active accounts
Starlink's support page says active customers in affected areas do not need to take action: a credit is to be applied to their account to cover service through September 12.
The company also plans to credit customers whose service had been cancelled. They may reactivate the service and reconnect their equipment.
Steps for new customers
New customers in affected areas who purchase Starlink must contact support after purchase to request free service through September 12. The announcement therefore does not remove the need to acquire equipment first.
Customers whose kit was affected may also contact support to request a free replacement.
A measure that is not a general restoration
The free-service measure applies to Starlink service within the framework the company uses for affected customers and areas. It does not mean that everyone has a terminal, an electricity supply or a working satellite link.
At 5:16 p.m., no complete restoration of mobile networks, Internet, electricity or water had been confirmed. The announced satellite option does not replace reporting from operators and authorities responsible for vital networks.
Field data is still missing
Starlink did not publish a number of deployed kits, an exhaustive list of locations, a restoration rate or a local timetable. It remains necessary to verify where resources for emergency responders are operational and how many customers receive credits or replacements.
The announcement should be followed as a support measure attributed to the company. On its own, it is not an independent measurement of communications coverage or quality in affected territories.