Farewell and Warning: A Federal Broadband Leader Sounds the Alarm
In a spirited farewell email on Sunday morning, Evan Feinman, the outgoing director of the largest federal broadband program in U.S. history, bid an emotional goodbye to his colleagues. Among other things, Evan Feinman warned that millions of rural Americans could get stuck with slow internet speeds if rules are changed to favor Elon Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink. Feinman, who led the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program until March 16, expressed his concerns about proposed changes to the program in his email, which was first reported by ProPublica’s Craig Silverman on Bluesky. The BEAD program, a $42.5 billion fund passed as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, aims to expand broadband access across the U.S. Feinman’s email highlights the potential risks of shifting funds away from fiber connections to satellite internet providers like Starlink.
The Shift from Fiber to Satellite: A Controversial Change
Feinman’s email criticizes the new administration’s apparent preference for satellite internet over fiber connections, warning that such a shift could leave many rural Americans with subpar internet speeds. He emphasized that Congress had clearly directed the program to prioritize fiber, which is widely regarded as the gold standard for internet connectivity. Fiber provides faster, more reliable, and future-proof internet compared to satellite internet, which is often slower and more expensive. The shift towards satellite internet could disproportionately affect rural areas, where access to high-speed internet is already limited. Feinman’s concerns are shared by other experts, including Gigi Sohn, executive director of the American Association for Public Broadband, who called the potential change a “disservice to rural and small-town America.”
Starlink’s Role and the Competition
Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, is one of the primary beneficiaries of the proposed changes to the BEAD program. Currently, Starlink has a significant advantage over competitors like Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which has only two prototype satellites in operation, compared to Starlink’s over 7,000 satellites. However, other geostationary satellite internet providers like Hughesnet and Viasat are not eligible for BEAD funding due to their higher latency. The proposed changes could allocate a substantial portion of the $42.5 billion fund to Starlink, potentially $10 billion to $20 billion, up from the initial expectation of $4.1 billion. Critics argue that this shift could undermine the program’s goal of providing high-quality, future-proof internet access to rural areas.
The Debate Over Cost and Effectiveness
The debate over the allocation of BEAD funds centers on the cost-effectiveness and scalability of fiber versus satellite internet. While fiber is more expensive to deploy, especially in rural areas, it offers faster speeds, lower latency, and greater reliability. Starlink, on the other hand, is more affordable to deploy but struggles with slower speeds and higher latency, which may not meet the program’s requirements. Additionally, Starlink’s service has faced criticism for its high monthly cost of $120, which is significantly more expensive than many traditional internet providers. Critics, including Feinman and Sohn, worry that investing heavily in satellite internet could leave rural areas with outdated technology that fails to meet future demands.
The Future of Broadband Investment
The future of the BEAD program remains uncertain as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is expected to announce new rules that could overhaul the program. Feinman’s email urge his colleagues to reach out to their congressional delegation and the administration to advocate for maintaining the program’s focus on fiber connections. The urgency is palpable, as the new rules could significantly alter the allocation of funds and the direction of the program. Feinman and other advocates emphasize the importance of ensuring that the program’s funds are used to provide the best possible connections for rural and underserved areas, rather than favoring technologies that may not meet long-term needs.
Call to Action and Next Steps
As the BEAD program faces potential changes, advocates are encouraging the public to get involved in shaping its future. Tools like the 5 Calls app provide individuals with resources to contact their elected representatives and voice their opinions on the proposed changes. The debate over the allocation of BEAD funds highlights the broader challenges of ensuring equitable access to high-speed internet in rural America. As the program moves forward, it will be crucial to balance immediate needs with long-term goals, ensuring that investments in broadband infrastructure provide sustainable and scalable solutions for all Americans.
