FCC denies SpaceX bid for nearly $1 billion in rural broadband subsidies for Starlink - by thesheetztweetz
in the FCC's $9.2 billion auction in December 2020 under the regulator's Rural Digital Opportunities Fund. The company sought funding to provide satellite internet service to nearly 650,000 locations in 35 states, the FCC noted.
The FCC subsidies are designed to be an incentive for broadband providers to bring service to the "unserved" and hard-to-reach areas of the United States. In a press release, the FCC said both Starlink and LTD Broadband — another company that initially was awarded $1.3 billion in subsidies under the program — "failed to demonstrate that the providers could deliver the promised service."
"We must put scarce universal service dollars to their best possible use as we move into a digital future that demands ever more powerful and faster networks. We cannot afford to subsidize ventures that are not delivering the promised speeds or are not likely to meet program requirements," FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement.
Rosenworcel added that SpaceX's technology has "real promise" but emphasized that Starlink is still "developing."Notably, the FCC's auction in December 2020 represented the first phase in the $20.4 billion RDOF program, which means SpaceX will likely bid in later auction rounds for the remaining funds. Musk's company was the fourth highest award recipient in terms of dollar value in the first auction among 180 bidding companies.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
FCC rejects Starlink’s bid for rural internet subsidies over its $600 satellite dishFCC rejects Starlink’s bid for rural internet subsidies due to its $600 satellite dish
Read more »
FCC rejects Starlink request for nearly $900 million in broadband subsidies | EngadgetStarlink has lost its bid to receive nearly $900 million in broadband funds from the FCC..
Read more »
SpaceX Starlink satellites face Russia space debris 'squalls' in orbit: reportElizabeth Howell, Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years before that, since 2012. As a proud Trekkie and Canadian, she also tackles topics like diversity, science fiction, astronomy and gaming to help others explore the universe. Elizabeth's on-site reporting includes two human spaceflight launches from Kazakhstan, three space shuttle missions in Florida, and embedded reporting from a simulated Mars mission in Utah. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, and a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University. Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science since 2015. Her latest book, Leadership Moments from NASA, is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams. Elizabeth first got interested in space after watching the movie Apollo 13 in 1996, and still wants to be an astronaut someday.
Read more »
Watch SpaceX launch 53 Starlink satellites and land a rocket at sea tonightWatch SpaceX launch 53 Starlink satellites and land a rocket at sea Tuesday evening
Read more »
Weather looks good for SpaceX Starlink launch on TuesdayThere's only a 30% chance that the weather won't cooperate for the Tuesday evening liftoff.
Read more »
SpaceX denied nearly $900M in broadband subsidiesAs part of the same announcement, the FCC also said it’s denying a $1.3 billion award earmarked for LTD Broadband, citing the fact that the internet service provider failed to obtain proper s…
Read more »