Musk’s broadband-from-space subsidy irks rivals who sought cash

SpaceX was approved for its plan to provide service to 642,925 locations in 35 states. But consumer advocates say those locations include parts of New York City and airports in Newark and Miami – places that don’t fit the programme’s goal of bringing service to rural people beyond the reach of broadband networks. — Pixabay

The US Federal Communications Commission faces pressure from rural internet service providers to deny a planned US$886mil (RM3.59bil) subsidy to Elon Musk’s SpaceX for beaming broadband to underserved areas from outer space.

Even before winning a competition for the funds, SpaceX had set up its service and begun launching satellites. More than 1,000 of the Starlink craft are now aloft, providing service to test subscribers. The company says its system “is uniquely positioned to deliver high-quality broadband service to the hardest-to-reach rural Americans”.