How much influence should Elon Musk have over the US
government's Internet infrastructure?
Now, despite President Donald Trump's promise to slash
government spending and cut the federal workforce, Elon Musk's
SpaceX controlled network is quietly embedding itself deeper
into multiple agencies. The General Services
Administration, or the GSA, has already adopted it at the direct
request of Elon Musk's team, and agencies, including the Federal
Aviation Administration or the FAA and the Customs and Border
Protection. CBP are actively considering
making the switch to Starlink. But with Musk serving as both
the CEO of SpaceX and a senior advisor to Donald Trump, his
involvement is raising some serious ethical red flags.
After all, when a government contract conveniently lines the
pocket of a White House insider, people tend to notice.
Starlink has built a reputation for providing Internet access in
remote areas, disaster zones, and even war zones.
Unlike traditional Internet providers that rely on fiber
optic cables and cell towers, Starlink operates through a
constellation of lower orbit satellites.
Now this offers high speed connectivity almost anywhere
around the world. It's a useful service, but the
bigger issue isn't whether Starlink works.
It's the fact that Elon Musk, a man who can single handedly
decide where and when to activate or cut off Internet
access, now holds increasing control over government
communications. And Starlink has built a
reputation for providing Internet access in remote areas,
disaster zones, and even war zones.
Unlike traditional Internet providers that rely on fiber
optic cables and cell towers, Starlink operates through a
constellation of low orbit satellites offering high speed
connectivity almost anywhere. It's a useful service if you
don't mind the fact that it's satellites have a five year
lifespan and require constant replacement.
But the bigger issue isn't whether Starlink works.
It's the fact that Musk, a man who can single handedly decide
where and when to activate or cut off Internet access, now
holds increasing control over government communications.
Now the GS as embrace of Sterling came under particularly
curious circumstances. According to a former GSA
employee, Sterling was installed in its Washington headquarters
in mid February within days of a request from Musk's Department
of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
Normally a decision like this would take weeks, even months,
as agencies conduct reviews on security, procurement and budget
concerns. But apparently, when Musk wants
something bureaucratic, red tape magically disappears.
Internal documents confirm that a Starlink network was quickly
up and running at the agency's office on F St.
NW. Now, when asked about it, the
GSA just didn't comment. And then there's the FAA, which
already signed a $2.4 billion fifteen year contract with
Verizon in 2023 to modernize its communication infrastructure.
But Elon Musk isn't 1 to take no for an answer.
He took to X to announce that he wanted the FAA to switch to
Starlink, claiming the terminals were being sent at no cost to
taxpayers. Now, it sounds generous, except
it's unclear what kind of financial arrangement would
follow. Now, Bloomberg reported that
Musk personally approved the shipment of 4000 Sterling
terminals to the FAA last month, raising questions about whether
he's trying to force the agency's hand.
The Washington Post has even reported that the FAA was
considering canceling its Verizon deal altogether.
CBP is also eyeing Sterling. According to a Department of
Homeland Security document obtained by Fed Scoop, CBP has
been interested in the service since 2023, before Trump's
return to office. CBP officials have now issued
internal paperwork to evaluate Starlink for use in border
surveillance, and meanwhile, another unnamed federal agency
has been reviewing the service as a backup communications tool
in emergency solutions. Now, this evaluation, which
began in February, seems to be proceeding through the normal
channels. Whether that means a contract is
inevitable remains to be seen, though.
Now let's talk about why any of this matters to you.
Government contracts aren't just about bureaucracy and budget
lines. They directly impacts you, the
taxpayers. Now, if Musk Starlink becomes
the government's go to provider, that means your tax dollars
could be funneled into a private business controlled by one of
the most politically influential figures in the country.
And if decisions about Internet access in emergency situations,
military operations or even civilian infrastructure are left
up to a single private company or to Elon Musk, that creates a
level of dependency that should make people uneasy.
Just ask Ukraine, which learned the hard way that Musk alone
decides whether it's Starlink terminals stay online during
wartime. Then there's the question of
competition, or lack thereof. The government is supposed to
award contracts through a fair bidding process, ensuring
taxpayers get the best service at the best price.
But if Musk's direct access to the White House gives him an
inside track, other providers like Verizon or AT&T may not
stay at a chance. Now, the result is less
competition, higher costs, and a system that's increasingly
controlled by 1 billionaire with an unpredictable track record of
business decisions made via late night social media posts.
Now, not everyone in Washington is thrilled about this, though.
Senator Maria Cantwell, top Democrat on the Senate Commerce
Committee, has called Musk's efforts to interfere with the
FAA's existing contract serious red flags.
She pointed out that federal procurement laws require open
competition and transparency, two things that seem to be
missing from Elon Musk's push to replace Verizon.
She said we need answers now about how the administration
will enforce these laws to ensure aviation safety takes
precedent over private gain. SpaceX is downplaying any
suggestion that is trying to take over federal contracts.
In a post on X, the company claimed that Starlink is merely
a partial fix to an aging system, that it is working with
the FAA to explore whether satellite based Internet could
be used to modernize aviation communications.
Now, Verizon isn't backing down, though.
The company released a statement last week saying that it's
committed to the FAA contract and is already working to
upgrade the agency's outdated technology.
And the FAA itself has been careful in its response.
While it has not directly addressed whether it might
cancel its Verizon deal, the agency released the pretty vague
statement saying that modernizing air traffic control
will require multiple companies and multiple technologies,
including satellites, fiber and wireless systems.
Now, whether that means Starlink will be included or whether it's
just a polite way of brushing off Musk's advances remains
unclear. Of course, federal contracts are
just one part of Starlink's business.
The service is already in use by major airlines like United,
cruise operators, and private customers around the world.
And during the Super Bowl, T-Mobile ran an ad bragging
about his partnership with Starlink to improve rural
coverage. Now, according to SpaceX, more
than 5 million people across 125 countries now use Starlink.
For individual customers, Starlink offers plans at about
$80.00 per month for low usage, while the standard home plan
costs 120 per month with a $149 setup fee.
Now, Elon Musk has claimed that Starlink's revenue will help
Starship and pay for humanity to get to Mars.
Those. SpaceX doesn't disclose whether
the service is profitable yet. In fact, the 2022 Musk admitted
Sterling was losing money. That hasn't stopped him from
aggressively expanding the service or from seeking more
government contracts. Meanwhile, competitors are
racing to catch up. European company Eudolstadt is
in talks with the EU to supply satellite Internet to Ukraine
with its One Web service. Amazon is developing Project
Kuiper, its own low orbit satellite Internet system.
And the Trump administration is also reviewing a proposed merger
between satellite operations SES and Intelsat, which could create
a stronger rival to Sterling. Hey, thanks for watching today.
I really do appreciate your support.
If you like this content, give it a thumbs up and I really want
to know what you think about this.
Leave a comment down below about what you think about this.
Do you think Elon and Starlink are going behind the American
people's back in procuring these contracts without the proper
channels? Let me know what you think.
I want to have a conversation about this.
Let's open this up to everybody. Again, thank you so much for
watching today. Take care of yourselves and each
other and I'll see you in the next one.