SpaceX offers half-price Starlink internet plans in Memphis to quell backlash to its Colossus data centers as it promises to 'continue to invest in the area'

Date:
Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:55:24 +0000

Description:
If you live near one of the big xAI data centers in Tennessee, you might be able to get a sweet Starlink deal.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter SpaceX is offering half-price Starlink for some users in Memphis Reisdents near an xAI data center are eligible for the offer The company is being sued for pollution caused by its infrastructure Here's one way to try and overcome local opposition to your energy-hungry, water-sucking, AI-feeding data centers: offer residents some sweeteners in return for having the infrastructure built in their backyard.

As Bloomberg reports, SpaceX is now giving out half-price Starlink subscriptions to those around the Memphis, Tennessee area, where the company operates existing Colossus data centers and "continues to invest in the Memphis area". There will be no upfront hardware costs for new customers, and the discounts can be shared with "nearby" friends and family through a referral. However, if you change address and move out of the area, you lose your discount. Latest Videos From Watch full video here:

While 'appeasing local residents' isn't explicitly mentioned in the SpaceX statement , it doesn't take much reading between the lines. If you live
around Memphis or neighboring Southaven, you can see if your address is in an eligible part of the area by looking up the location online . Pollution problems He's trying to gain favor but I doubt there's even enough users here for this to work. from r/Starlink The data centers in this region are primarily for SpaceX subsidiary xAI, and the company is currently being sued for violating the Clean Air Act: it's claimed that the methane gas turbines powering the Colossus data centers don't have the required permissions. You may like Google and SpaceX are reportedly in talks to build data centers in orbit SpaceX warns investors that orbital AI data centers may not be commercially viable This US start-up wants to pay you to host a data center
on the side of your home

"As we shared since xAI started operating in Memphis, our homes, churches,
and playgrounds will not be sacrifice zones for Big Techs convenience," says Abre Conner, a director at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

It remains to be seen whether half-price internet changes the mood of those affected: the discount might also be known "as the please don't stop us from running illegal natural gas turbines discount" quips one user on Reddit , Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Discounted Starlink packages aren't the only commitment xAI is making though. The company has also said it will resume work on a waste water recycling
plant from next year , which will provide clean water for the data centers
and local authorities, though it isn't clear why work was halted to begin with. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/spacex-offers-half-price-starlink-internet -plans-in-memphis-to-quell-backlash-to-its-colossus-data-centers-as-it-promise s-to-continue-to-invest-in-the-area


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