Helene recovery: NC lawmaker teams up with Elon Musk to help restore internet in western North Carolina
- by WRAL
- Oct 01, 2024
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NC lawmaker's connections get more Starlink receivers sent to western NC
By , WRAL capitol bureau chief
Starlink receivers are headed to western North Carolina to help get people devastated by Hurricane Helene get back online.
State Sen. Danny Britt, R-Hoke, Robeson and Scotland, said the images of Helene’s destruction left him feeling helpless. While Britt said he’s accustomed to his district feeling the effects of natural disasters, Helene is beyond anything he has seen.
Britt said he talked to a National Guard colleague about western North Carolina’s communication problems due to Helene.
“He did say they had some Starlinks, and expressed that if they had additional Starlinks, then that would make a huge difference,” Britt said.
Starlink receivers provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to users around the world. Starlink receivers are designed to work in a variety of settings, including homes, boats and on the go. They are capable of supporting activities such as online gaming, streaming and video calls.
Britt started looking for ways to contact Elon Musk and his connections led him to an assistant of President Donald Trump. The assistant said they could help.
Along with North Carolina Emergency Director William Ray, they used a group chat to send the assistant a formal state request for help.
“He communicated back right then that the [former] president had made the phone call to Elon Musk, left a message and that he was going to work on trying to see what Elon would be willing to do to provide additional Starlink satellite terminals,” Britt said.
Early Tuesday morning, Musk posted on the social media platform X, “Since the Hurricane Helene disaster, SpaceX has sent as many Starlink terminals as possible to help areas in need. Earlier today, @realDonaldTrump alerted me to additional people who need Starlink Internet in North Carolina. We are sending them terminals right away.”
Britt said first responders will primarily use the Starlink devices.
“[It will] also [be used for] communication from people to their families to let them know they're OK,” Britt said. “[It will provide] communication from people who may still be in danger or may still be stranded.”
It’s unclear how many Starlink receivers SpaceX is expected to provide.
Britt explained his ties to western North Carolina.
“I did go to college in Boone and Appalachian State,” Britt said. “We do have property in Boone. So, I've got a very close tie and a close love for western North Carolina.”
North Carolina lawmakers are scheduled to reconvene next week in Raleigh for a previously scheduled session.
State lawmakers could take up a disaster relief package that could help get other communications restored faster as well
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