Musk's Starlink stands to benefit from changes to a broadband equity program<p>Another day, another move from the Trump administration that will <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/ai/engadget-podcast-whats-up-doge-diving-into-elon-musks-hack-on-america-123006530.html">benefit Elon Musk[/url] — shocking. The <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="
https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2025/03/statement-us-secretary-commerce-howard-lutnick-bead-program">US Department of Commerce[/url] has announced an overhaul of 2021's <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/internet-for-all-program-launch-us-broadband-digital-divide-174215299.html">Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program[/url] and its $42.5 billion that will funnel work to Musk's Starlink. </p>
<p>The BEAD program was originally designed to give states funding for fiber-optic cable installation, increase Wi-Fi networks and free broadband internet access for some individuals. Fiber-optic broadband provides the fastest internet speeds, but the new mandate will get rid of BEAD's preference for it. </p>
<span id="end-legacy-contents"></span><p>"The Department is ripping out the Biden Administration’s pointless requirements," said US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in a statement. "It is revamping the BEAD program to take a tech-neutral approach that is rigorously driven by outcomes, so states can provide internet access for the lowest cost." </p>
<p>The writing on the wall is clear: Musk, the richest person in the world, leader of a department to reduce government waste (read: <a data-i13n="cpos:4;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/transportation/elon-musks-doge-reportedly-cuts-staff-at-agency-that-regulates-elon-musks-tesla-173618858.html">cut many critical jobs[/url] and programs) and an unelected right hand to what can best be described as an authoritarian government, is about to make even more money.</p>
<p>Under the Biden administration in 2023, Starlink received a rejection from the Federal Communications Commission for nearly <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-reaffirms-rejection-nearly-900-million-subsidy-starlink">$900 million in subsidies[/url]. The FCC stated that Starlink's application, which was part of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund program, failed to meet the program's requirements. </p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/musks-starlink-stands-to-benefit-from-changes-to-a-broadband-equity-program-132521582.html?src=rssSource:
Musk's Starlink stands to benefit from changes to a broadband equity program
