Starlink operator SpaceX is fighting Virginia’s plan to deploy fiber Internet service to residents, claiming that federal grant money should be given to Starlink instead. SpaceX is already in line to win over $3 million in grant money in the state but is seeking $60 million.

Starlink is poised to benefit from the Trump administration rewriting rules for the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grant program. While the Biden administration decided that states should prioritize fiber in order to build more future-proof networks, the Trump administration ordered states to revise their plans with a “tech-neutral approach” and lower the average cost of serving each location.

  • Scrizzle@lemmy.zip
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    41
    ·
    1 day ago

    Didn’t work. They are laying fiber everywhere as we speak. So happy to kiss Comcast goodbye.

    • bitwolf@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      10 hours ago

      So happy for you! I’m still stuck with shady cable as they cancelled the 2024 rollout.

      I swear Cable internet was propped up by hidden fees and promo pricing.

      • Scrizzle@lemmy.zip
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        7 hours ago

        The way they are rolling through Central Virginia I’d say they will have most of VA done soon (relative to years). Even Bumpass has it now.

      • FunkFactory@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        10 hours ago

        Comcast doesn’t necessarily have to go away as long as they don’t have a monopoly on the infrastructure used to deliver an essential utility to homes. But I’d have to agree it would be nice if they just went away too.