US EditionWill Satellite Internet Help Rural Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania will allocate $20 million to reserve satellite capacity for over 20,000 rural locations after federal rule changes aimed at reducing costs and expanding internet access.
- The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania proposes spending almost $20 million to deliver satellite internet to over 20,000 rural locations, with Amazon's service covering more than 18,000 and SpaceX nearly 4,800; the federal agency overseeing the grant program is set to approve the plan by early December.
- The Trump administration overhauled BEAD rules in June to cut costs and level broadband technologies, opening the door for satellite providers after the Biden administration prioritized fiber networks.
- Companies that receive grant funding must supply startup equipment at no cost and begin service within four years using low-earth orbit satellites, the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority said.
- Critics say the move risks public dollars on satellite services that may not deliver long-term value, noting SpaceX is already widely available and subscribers face monthly fees between $80 and $120.
- Tensions persist over roughly $21 billion still unassigned for broadband buildouts as comment periods proceed to Dec. 9, while fiber providers such as Comcast and AT&T won 86% of funding and 65% of locations.
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12 Articles
Final proposals leave SpaceX and Amazon with 4% of $20 billion rural broadband subsidies
SpaceX and Amazon stand to get about 4% of the nearly $20 billion that states have proposed for rural broadband buildouts, representing roughly 21% of the locations under the federal BEAD program. The post Final proposals leave SpaceX and Amazon with 4% of $20 billion rural broadband subsidies appeared first on SpaceNews.
Spotlight PA
Will satellite internet help rural Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania plans to spend almost $20 million to bring satellite internet to more than 20,000 locations across the commonwealth, after the Trump administration overhauled a massive broadband grant program to prioritize cutting costs. Under the state’s proposal, which still needs federal approval, Amazon’s low-earth orbit satellite service will cover more than 18,000 locations and SpaceX will serve almost 4,800. It’s part of a nationwide shift t…
SpaceX, Amazon Secure 4% of $20B Rural Broadband Funds
SpaceX and Amazon’s Satellite Ventures Eyeing a Piece of Rural Broadband Funding In a significant development in the tech and telecommunications sector, SpaceX and Amazon are poised to receive a portion of the nearly $20 billion allocated by U.S. states for rural broadband initiatives. This funding is part of the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and […]
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