The Trump administration is facing criticism over plans to overhaul a $42.45 billion program aimed at expanding high-speed internet access in rural areas. Evan Feinman, the outgoing director of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, warned in an email to colleagues that the administration’s proposed changes could benefit Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, at the expense of rural Americans. Stranding all or part of rural America with worse internet so that we can make the world’s richest man even richer is yet another in a long line of betrayals by Washington,” Feinman wrote.
He urged governors to lobby their congressional delegates to stop the administration from implementing plans he said could have “deeply negative outcomes” for American homes and businesses. The BEAD program, passed with bipartisan support in 2021, aimed to connect tens of millions of underserved homes and communities in rural America to high-speed internet using fiber technology, known for its reliable and affordable service. However, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has indicated a desire to re-evaluate the program to be technology “neutral.
Experts argue that switching from fiber to satellite internet, predominantly controlled by Starlink, would be far less expensive but would not be as fast or reliable as fiber and could cost consumers more.
Rural internet funding faces criticism
The buildout of fiber networks across rural communities was also expected to create tens of thousands of jobs. Feinman’s warning comes as several states, including Louisiana, Delaware, and Nevada, have had their plans for billions in BEAD funding approved but are now awaiting federal funds due to the administration’s delays.
“Shovels could already be in the ground” in these states, Feinman said, if not for the proposed changes. The outgoing BEAD director urged states to lobby the administration to maintain flexibility for states to decide their best internet connections. Reach out to your congressional delegation and the Trump administration and tell them to strip out the needless requirements, but not to strip away from states the flexibility to get the best connections for their people,” Feinman wrote.
The Commerce Department has not responded to requests for comment, and Starlink has not commented on the possible changes to the BEAD program.
Image Credits: Photo by John Reed on Unsplash
Cameron is a highly regarded contributor in the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. His articles delve into the theoretical underpinnings of AI, the practical applications of machine learning across industries, ethical considerations of autonomous systems, and the societal impacts of these disruptive technologies.
