at a zero price

[Judge Brybe]

Have doubts as to the exact meaning of the word combination.
Does it mean 'free of charge', as some dictionaries suggest, or 'at the starting price', as suggested by others?
Context:

In the US the most important and the strongest monopolies are unquestionably those that derive from governmental privilege. The monopoly of ATV license, granted by the government, at a zero price. That’s a source of monopoly privilege that has also been a source of wealth for some notable Americans.
YouTube - Milton Friedman - Monopoly

Many thanx.

[freezeframe]

"Zero price" means "free of charge". It's an economic term and is not the same as "free".