Amazon’s Project Kuiper will also get over $120 million. However, most Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funds will go to fiber projects, according to PCMag’s estimates.
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SpaceX’s Starlink is on track to receive $300 million in federal funds as US states finalize plans to expand high-speed internet in underserved areas.
So far, 36 states and US territories have submitted proposals for the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which aims to close coverage gaps across the US. In June, the Trump administration overhauled BEAD to emphasize “technology neutrality,” to lower costs, and potentially direct more funds to satellite internet instead of fiber.
PCMag combed through the spreadsheets included with the states’ proposals, which show SpaceX receiving at least $302 million. In return, SpaceX will deploy Starlink in over 205,000 underserved locations across the 36 states and territories, including Guam and American Samoa.
Rival satellite service Project Kuiper from Amazon is set to receive at least $124 million to serve over 200,000 locations, even though it has yet to launch.
Wes Robinson, a director at Texas-based Eastex Telephone Cooperative, has been tracking the numbers and initially pointed out the large amount of funding both companies will receive. His figures are slightly higher since he also counted “community anchor institutions,” which are schools, libraries, and colleges that’ll be covered under BEAD.
