Starlink tries to block Virginia’s plan to bring fiber Internet to residents

SpaceX, the operator behind Starlink, is pushing back against Virginia's initiative to enhance fiber internet service for its residents. The company argues that federal grant funds earmarked for this project should be redirected to support Starlink instead. Currently, SpaceX is positioned to receive over $3 million in state grant money but is seeking a substantial $60 million. The situation is complicated by the contrasting policies of the Trump and Biden administrations regarding broadband funding. The Trump administration had previously directed states to adopt a 'tech-neutral approach' to broadband deployment, encouraging a broader variety of technologies, including satellite internet, over a strict focus on fiber infrastructure. In contrast, the Biden administration has advocated for prioritizing fiber networks to create more robust and future-ready systems. In a recent development, SpaceX submitted comments on Virginia's broadband proposal, which is set to be reviewed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The company described the state's plan as a significant misuse of taxpayer dollars, arguing that it represents a return to the Biden administration's unsuccessful approach to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. SpaceX criticized Virginia for what it perceives as a bias towards the more expensive and slower-to-implement fiber technology over quicker and more cost-effective alternatives. With SpaceX urging the NTIA to reject Virginia's plan, tensions may rise between the state's leadership, which is under Republican governance, and the federal administration. Starlink is often viewed as particularly advantageous in harder-to-reach areas, and both SpaceX and allies within the Trump administration are advocating for equal treatment of satellite technology in grant allocations. This ongoing battle highlights the complex landscape of broadband expansion efforts in the U.S.