Trump Administration Proposes Broadband Funding Shift Benefiting Elon Musk's Starlink

Critics claim the plan undermines bipartisan efforts to prioritize reliable, long-term fiber-optic internet for rural areas.

The U.S. Commerce Department is reportedly planning to revise a $42.5 billion broadband program to favor satellite providers like Elon Musk's Starlink.
Proposed changes would make funding criteria 'technology-neutral,' potentially awarding Starlink an additional $6 billion to $14 billion in grants.
The Biden administration's original program prioritized fiber-optic cables, which are considered more reliable and durable than satellite internet.
Advocacy group Free Press has criticized the plan, alleging it prioritizes political favoritism over effective broadband deployment.
Musk, a senior advisor in the Trump administration, has faced scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest due to his dual roles in government and private enterprise.