SpaceX has issued a list of demands to US states that are offering broadband grants to support the company's Starlink satellite internet service. The demands, which were sent in a letter to state broadband offices, aim to ensure that SpaceX receives federal grant money even if residents don't purchase Starlink services.
The demands include several key requirements. First, SpaceX is requesting that it receive 50% of the grant funds when it certifies that it can provide BEAD-quality service (100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload speeds) within 10 business days to any potential customer in a grant area. The remaining money would be distributed quarterly over the 10-year period of the grant.
Second, SpaceX is asking for limits on performance testing. According to the company, if sufficient capacity was not reserved, performance testing will reveal insufficient quality of service, and this deficiency will be transparent to the state. Developing a separate, indirect measurement of the reservation itself is deemed infeasible and unnecessary by SpaceX.
Third, SpaceX wants to exclude subscribers with obstructed or damaged views of the sky from network testing. This means that the company would not be required to test its services at customers' homes if their equipment is not properly installed.
Finally, SpaceX is requesting that states not penalize it for defaulting or failing to comply with contract requirements. The company also wants to avoid reporting on the use of BEAD funds or other financial information related to the grant.
It's worth noting that the demands are intended to be applied to all grants received by SpaceX throughout the country, and would apply to Amazon if states accept them as well. However, it's unclear whether SpaceX will turn down grants if its demands are not met.
The demands include several key requirements. First, SpaceX is requesting that it receive 50% of the grant funds when it certifies that it can provide BEAD-quality service (100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload speeds) within 10 business days to any potential customer in a grant area. The remaining money would be distributed quarterly over the 10-year period of the grant.
Second, SpaceX is asking for limits on performance testing. According to the company, if sufficient capacity was not reserved, performance testing will reveal insufficient quality of service, and this deficiency will be transparent to the state. Developing a separate, indirect measurement of the reservation itself is deemed infeasible and unnecessary by SpaceX.
Third, SpaceX wants to exclude subscribers with obstructed or damaged views of the sky from network testing. This means that the company would not be required to test its services at customers' homes if their equipment is not properly installed.
Finally, SpaceX is requesting that states not penalize it for defaulting or failing to comply with contract requirements. The company also wants to avoid reporting on the use of BEAD funds or other financial information related to the grant.
It's worth noting that the demands are intended to be applied to all grants received by SpaceX throughout the country, and would apply to Amazon if states accept them as well. However, it's unclear whether SpaceX will turn down grants if its demands are not met.
... like whats next? companies making rules for everyone else just because they want some extra cash 
? SpaceX already has the resources to make their own network, no need to control all the states' grants too 
... plus its not fair to people who cant even afford their services and have damaged views of the sky 
. what if amazon tries to do the same thing? like state governments are just gonna be caught in the middle 
... think they should just focus on making good internet for everyone instead of playing the grant game 
If they want 50% of the grant money just because they say they can provide good service within 10 days, that sounds like a pretty big ask! 
And not wanting to test their services at customers' homes if it's hard to see the sky from their spot? That seems kinda shady. 
they're basically saying that they deserve all the grant money no matter what happens with their service. like, isn't the point of a broadband grant to help people get reliable internet? shouldn't they be prioritizing that over making a ton of cash? 
i mean i get it, they don't wanna spend time and money on non-customers, but come on, that's not how it works. states should be like "yeah no thanks spacex" if you're only gonna game the system 
i can feel how frustrated you must be about this, companies like spacex should be supporting their community rather than making all these demands 
think about the people who don't even have access to decent internet and now they're being told that if we want some help, we gotta make it convenient for them? what about equity and fairness here? 
. it's not clear how spacox plans to avoid penalties for defaulting, which could be a major issue down the line... maybe they should rethink some of these demands? 
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And what about those people who just can't install their equipment properly? Shouldn't we be supporting everyone, not just those who have the means to set up their systems right? 
! SpaceX is basically asking for a free ride, demanding 50% of grant funds just because they claim to can deliver decent speeds in 10 days 
. That's some pretty aggressive negotiating, if you ask me 
. And what's up with the performance testing stuff? If they don't reserve enough capacity, shouldn't that be reflected in the tests themselves? 
The whole thing reeks of SpaceX trying to get out of accountability 
. This all feels very suspicious 
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as for reporting on grant funds, shouldn't @SpaceX be transparent about how their money is being used? 
... I don't know if that's really necessary. And what about people who just don't want Starlink? Shouldn't we be supporting them too?