FCC rescinds nearly $1 billion in Space X subsidies for rural broadband
Source: The Hill
TECHNOLOGY
FCC rescinds nearly $1 billion in Space X subsidies for rural broadband
BY OLAFIMIHAN OSHIN - 08/11/22 12:20 PM ET
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has rescinded nearly $1 billion in rural broadband subsidies to Space Xs Starlink satellite service. ... In a news release, the agency said that it determined that applications from Space X and another firm, LTD Broadband, failed to meet the requirements for government funding for its Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) program.
The FCC previously awarded Space X nearly $886 million in 2020 in an effort to expand high-speed internet access to rural areas through its Starlink satellite service.
The agency also awarded LTD Broadband $1.32 billion for the same purpose, but the Las Vegas-based business struggled to expand its service, failing to receive eligible telecommunications carrier status in seven of fifteen states.
After careful legal, technical, and policy review, we are rejecting these applications. Consumers deserve reliable and affordable high-speed broadband, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement on Wednesday.
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Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/technology/3597137-fcc-rescinds-nearly-1-billion-in-space-x-subsidies-for-rural-broadband/
Raster
(20,996 posts)He and his companies have already sucked off the US tit for far too long.
niyad
(112,435 posts)communications without all that lovely money from the feds (the feds he is supposedly going to oust from telecommunications)?
(for those not familiar with this little bit from whackworld, musk has built and will have the military run, our entire telecommunications and energy networks. The changeover is due to happen any day now. We are getting close. Of course, the fact that they have been saying this for two years now is irrelevant.)
BComplex
(7,982 posts)How is this possible, and whose job is it to bestow eligibility for telecommunications carrier status?
mahatmakanejeeves
(56,897 posts)Eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs, or service providers) can offer a discount to eligible low-income consumers on their mobile or fixed (i.e., landline) voice service or broadband (i.e., internet) service and receive a reimbursement from the federal universal service fund.
To offer Lifeline-supported services, service providers must:
1. Become an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC)
2. Create a Compliance Plan
3. Obtain a Study Area Code (SAC)
4. Obtain a 498 ID
1. Become an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC)
To participate in the Lifeline program, service providers must be designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) by their respective state regulatory commission or, in some cases, by the FCC. After receiving the designation, ETCs must meet all Lifeline requirements.
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BumRushDaShow
(127,312 posts)(or whatever a state calls them)
Telecomm is considered a "utility" but since it crosses a border, the Feds have overall monitoring/regulation and state Commisions have to ensure the provider complies with this within their state - 47 CFR § 54.201 - Definition of eligible telecommunications carriers, generally
And from a state's perspective, there are many infrastructure issues that have to be worked out (easements/right of way/signal interference, etc), and apparently they were unable to comply with the requirements in some of the states that they were being subsidized to cover - I think in some cases, due to an already-saturated (signal-wise) area.
BumRushDaShow
(127,312 posts)and SpaceX's award was a month after the 2020 election.
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BComplex
(7,982 posts)Yep. time!
Lonestarblue
(9,880 posts)I doubt there was much of anything that was above board in his administration.
Scalded Nun
(1,231 posts)truthisfreedom
(23,113 posts)I get speeds up to 50mb/s. Its great service, only interrupted by heavy storms. Much better than Dish, which I had before.
Initech
(99,915 posts)I would give an arm and a leg to get another carrier where I live. Someone, anyone. Verizon, Google Fiber, someone else.
lonely bird
(1,642 posts)There are towns 4-5 miles away. We tried some sort of satellite thing with ATT when moved. They said well, there should be good signal out by the street. Kicked them to the curb for Spectrum. The internet has been fine. The TV is ass.