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SpaceX gets $886M from FCC to subsidize Starlink in 35 states

arstechnica.com

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Re: SpaceX gets $886M from FCC to subsidize Starlink in 35 states

#11

Post by ogre_codes »

The government has been subsidizing rural ISPs for quite a while. This effort is much more reasonable than many similar efforts because unlike many of the people sucking up these subsidies, it actually reaches everyone. Most of the carriers who accepted subsidies to increase rural internet access just picked the low hanging fruit and often introduced new service in regions which were already covered by other services.

My old house was stuck on 10GB service for years while ISPs bumped up subsidized service to many closer in/ semi rural areas. I have good access now, but just a few years ago I'd have loved the option of getting SpaceX's service at full price.

Re: SpaceX gets $886M from FCC to subsidize Starlink in 35 states

#12

Post by sneak »

juanbyrge wrote: post #9

If there is any corporate entity I'd happy giving public funding, it would be SpaceX. Their end goal is to settle Mars and potentially other bodies in the solar system. Compared with the absurd amounts of money wasted on defense contractors, I am perfectly happy with funding SpaceX in every way possible.

SpaceX is also a defense contractor.

https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/10/05/nro-reveals-plans-for-...

Re: SpaceX gets $886M from FCC to subsidize Starlink in 35 states

#13

Post by jjeaff »

liquidise wrote: post #7

This headline is only part of the story, looks like ~10 ISP's were awarded sizable subsidies. While i am not a fan of subsidies in general, the ISP space is particularly tricky for free-market forces to ensure competition. The capital requirements are overwhelming in many cases for a traditional startups, leaving the only other option as local/municipal votes, which have been successful in some areas. Long-term, i co…

It does seem wise, except I believe that ISPs have already received large subsidies in the past and then never completed their end of the bargain. Without consequence, of course. I hope none of those companies received any more subsidy.

Re: SpaceX gets $886M from FCC to subsidize Starlink in 35 states

#16

Post by politelemon »

tzm wrote: post #14

I live in the Mission hills of SF Bay and pay $600 / mo for internet via mobile hotspot (LTE). HughesNet is terrible. Nothing else is available. I can't wait for Starlink beta!

> $600 / mo for internet via mobile hotspot (LTE).

I'm not familiar with that area but my mind boggles at this amount. What kind of speeds do you get? Are that ISP able to offer a cheaper deal of some sort, eg 12 months? Why is it so much!?

Wishing you well, I hope you get Starlink soon in your area, or any alternatives.

Re: SpaceX gets $886M from FCC to subsidize Starlink in 35 states

#17

Post by remarkEon »

sneak wrote: post #12
juanbyrge wrote: post #9

If there is any corporate entity I'd happy giving public funding, it would be SpaceX. Their end goal is to settle Mars and potentially other bodies in the solar system. Compared with the absurd amounts of money wasted on defense contractors, I am perfectly happy with funding SpaceX in every way possible.

SpaceX is also a defense contractor. https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/10/05/nro-reveals-plans-for-...

Good.

They seem to be the first defense contractor in a long time, maybe ever, with a specific eye on controlling costs. It may not be this way forever, but for now the taxpayers should get the savings where they can.

Re: SpaceX gets $886M from FCC to subsidize Starlink in 35 states

#18

Post by jseliger »

liquidise wrote: post #7

This headline is only part of the story, looks like ~10 ISP's were awarded sizable subsidies. While i am not a fan of subsidies in general, the ISP space is particularly tricky for free-market forces to ensure competition. The capital requirements are overwhelming in many cases for a traditional startups, leaving the only other option as local/municipal votes, which have been successful in some areas. Long-term, i co…

I've worked on various broadband-related projects as a grant-writing consultant (https://seliger.com/2009/11/13/adventures-in-the-broadband/), SpaceX will definitely not be the worst of the bunch and will almost certainly be among the top quarter.

Re: SpaceX gets $886M from FCC to subsidize Starlink in 35 states

#19

Post by vsareto »

remarkEon wrote: post #17
sneak wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

SpaceX is also a defense contractor. https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/10/05/nro-reveals-plans-for-...

Good. They seem to be the first defense contractor in a long time, maybe ever, with a specific eye on controlling costs. It may not be this way forever, but for now the taxpayers should get the savings where they can.

Maybe they can relax the work/life balance now

Re: SpaceX gets $886M from FCC to subsidize Starlink in 35 states

#20

Post by tw04 »

iptrans wrote: post #15

Riddle me this, would SpaceX not have built out Starlink if they didn't get this subsidy? Since they already put Starlink satellites in orbit without any guarantees of subsidies, was this good use of government funds?

>Riddle me this, would SpaceX not have built out Starlink if they didn't get this subsidy?

I feel like that's a rhetorical question, but the obvious answer is yes.

>Since they already put Starlink satellites in orbit without any guarantees of subsidies, was this good use of government funds?

I suppose that depends: if Space-X's original timeline was 10 years... is it more or less valuable to the US to have broadband access on an accelerated timeline? My guess is, especially in the face of covid, the more access to high speed the better.

Would you rather have had those funds going to Frontier and Comcast? The funds are GOING to be spent, the only question is how. Not having rural broadband has been deemed an unacceptable outcome by the majority of Americans. The way the funds have been spent to date have definitely been a mixed bag.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/12/07/fcc-dig...

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