SpaceX offers free Starlink service in Venezuela's hardest-hit La Guaira state

Elon Musk's SpaceX is providing free Starlink satellite internet service in Venezuela's La Guaira state, which was struck by a series of powerful earthquakes.

SpaceX said Saturday on X, formerly Twitter, that it is currently offering free internet access to Movistar customers in La Guaira and is working to extend the free service as quickly as possible to customers of other carriers, including Digitel and Movilnet.

The company added that users with compatible LTE smartphones can stay connected via text message even when local mobile networks are unavailable, as their phones will automatically connect to the Starlink Mobile service.

Starlink is SpaceX's low-Earth orbit satellite communications service. It enables real-time wireless connectivity even in areas where ground-based cell towers have been destroyed by wildfires, earthquakes or other disasters.

Starlink has also served as a last-resort communications channel in conflict zones cut off from the outside world, including in the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

The Starlink Mobile service in particular allows ordinary LTE-capable smartphones to connect directly to low-Earth orbit satellites without any additional hardware.

As long as there is a clear view of the sky, users can make calls, send text messages and access the internet on their regular smartphones without a dedicated satellite receiver.

Internet speeds and data throughput currently fall short of conventional mobile services, but the technology is expected to be adequate for basic communication needs at disaster sites.

The US government is also pursuing plans to distribute additional Starlink terminals capable of connecting to satellite communications in Venezuela, CNN reported.

SpaceX had earlier announced, shortly after the earthquake struck on June 24, that it would provide free internet service in Venezuela through July 25.