Starlink low-Earth orbit internet service is seeming closer and closer, and the bidding for an exciting potential contract could even further accelerate the implementation of its services through taxpayer money.
Starlink parent company, SpaceX, stands to win a contract with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding money from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), as reported by The Motley Fool. The fund is worth $16 billion (USD) per year, and is set to increase to $20.4 billion, which could be dedicated to one or multiple service providers.
Bidding on the contract began Thursday.
The FCC approved SpaceX in June to compete for a portion or all of the RDOF funds. Then, earlier this month, the FCC released an official list of companies that qualified to submit bids for low-latency satellite internet which included SpaceX.
SpaceX to Give Free Starlink Internet to School District in Rural Texas https://t.co/m9ApoasVeV
— TeslaNorth.com (@RealTeslaNorth) October 24, 2020
In total, the FCC list of approved bidders totaled 386, including Verizon, Cincinnati Bell, Cox Communications, and a number of other broadband internet communication companies. In terms of satellite broadband internet, however, the FCC only approved SpaceX, Hughes, and Viasat.
Many experts think SpaceX will soon submit to Initial Public Offering (IPO) investors. Whether it does or doesn’t time will tell if it enters into contract with the FCC for RDOF funds.
Currently, Starlink public beta invites being sent out have been confirmed as the following states at these specific latitudes (via Reddit):
| Idaho | 46.8, 47.0, 48.2, 48.4 |
| Michigan | 46.0 |
| Minnesota | 45.3, 47.0, 47.9 |
| Montana | 45.7, 45.9, 46.0, 46.5, 47.4, 47.5, 47.7 |
| Oregon | 45.9 |
| Washington | 45.8, 46.1, 46.2, 46.6, 47.6, 47.8, 48.0 |
| Wisconsin | 45.6, 45.9 |
Starlink beta invitees will need to pay $499 for the terminal and also $99 per month for the service, which aims to be a gift from the heavens for those in rural areas.
