SpaceX offers 50% off Starlink to Memphis area residents

SpaceX is offering residents near its data centers in Memphis, Tennessee, and Southaven, Mississippi, a 50% discount on its Starlink satellite internet service. The company announced the program this week, framing it as support for local neighbors. The offer comes as SpaceX subsidiary xAI faces a lawsuit and community opposition over pollution from gas turbines powering its nearby Colossus data centers.

Eligible residents will see monthly service costs drop to between $27.50 and $65, half the standard rate of $55 to $130. New customers will also avoid upfront hardware costs, and the discount can be shared with friends and family via referral. The discount is tied to a customer's service address and will be lost if they move outside the designated area.

The company's statement did not directly link the discount to the local controversy. Michael Nicolls, SpaceX's vice president of Starlink engineering, said the unique capabilities of the Colossus data centers relied on partnership with the local community and expressed happiness at bringing affordable connectivity to neighbors. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk also promoted the deal online.

The data centers, operated by xAI which SpaceX...