From CNET: In a reversal of a 2020 decision, the US Federal Communications Commission has decided to reject Starlink's application for $886 million in subsidies to expand rural broadband coverage. Starlink "failed to meet program requirements," and the program was too risky, the commission said in a release Wednesday.
"Starlink's technology has real promise, but the question before us was whether to publicly subsidize its still developing technology for consumer broadband -- which requires that users purchase a $600 dish -- with nearly $900 million in universal service funds until 2032," said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
Another applicant, LTD Broadband, also lost its subsidy of $1.3 million.
Starlink delivers internet access via its fleet of more than 2,000 low-orbit satellites, which beam web data down to its satellite dishes, even in rural places that don't have ground-laid internet. It isn't the only satellite internet provider, but it's the fastest, according to the internet service analysts at Ookla.
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