Small internet service providers say SpaceX's Starlink shouldn't get federal funds to expand internet access
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Local internet service providers are pressuring the US Federal Communications Commission to "aggressively" vet winning applications submitted by satellite and fixed wireless providers for federal funds that would aim to expand internet access across the country.
The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund is meant to help provide broadband access to millions of people in rural areas or regions that are costly to serve. The fund, which has awarded $9.2 billion, is expected to finance the extension of broadband to 49 states over 10 years. The FCC said that the funds would bring broadband to over 10 million rural Americans.
Among the 180 winning bidders wasDuring a conference call Thursday, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, which represents over 900 local electric cooperatives, urged the FCC to look closely into the economic and technological viability of winning companies to decide if they are capable of delivering internet at the speed and reliability promised.
Though the winners have been chosen by the FCC, the firms still have to submit long-form applications to further detail their plans and qualifications, Ars Technica reported. The FCC could revoke funding if obligations aren't met, the publication said."Our concern really hinges on the fact that a number of bidders, they bid into higher speed categories with technologies that have not been proven to meet those speeds," said the association's CEO Jim Matheson. "A couple of examples SpaceX bid into the 100 down 20 megabits and up category, with their satellite program that's still in beta testing not a proven technology," Matheson said.
Read More: SpaceX launches 143 satellites after weather problems delayed the record-breaking mission SpaceX didn't respond to a request for comment.Read More: MONEY FOR MARS: Inside SpaceX's quest to make Starlink the world's top off-planet internet business
NRECA wants to make sure the technology will indeed reach those who struggle to access the internet. "Rural America has been left behind so many times in the past," Matheson said.
Matheson cited previous examples of companies that received millions of dollars in federal funds to expand broadband services to rural areas but failed to do so, including CenturyLink and Frontier Communications. Both companies recently announced that they failed to meet the deployment deadline set when they received the funds, according to Matheson.Matheson and other critics on the call, including National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative, Midwest Energy & Communications in Michigan, and Choptank Electric Cooperative in Maryland, were also concerned that some of the locations that SpaceX is targeting for internet delivery are non-rural.
Starlink is expected to cover areas such as the Bronx in New York City and airports in Newark and Miami.
Separately, Russia may fine individuals or companies for using Starlink internet. The proposed law aims to prevent citizens from accessing the internet provided by Musk's satellites.Copyright © 2021. Times Internet Limited. All rights reserved.For reprint rights. Times Syndication Service.
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