FBA Official Statement on DCC Denial of SpaceX’s Bid for RDOF Subsidies for Starlink

“The FCC’s denial of SpaceX’s bid for RDOF subsidies for Starlink is exciting and stunning news for all Americans. The Fiber Broadband Association and the NTCA supplied the technical assessment and model to aid the FCC’s evaluation of Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) Satellite broadband networks, and we could not be more pleased that this contribution has been successful in convincing the agency of the limited capabilities of satellite broadband networks. As Chairman Rosenworcel pointed out today, these networks are unable to deliver the promised speeds and low latency needed to support critical broadband connections. The Fiber Broadband Association continues to provide research and results that demonstrate that fiber-based broadband is the only infrastructure that will provide reliable, high-speed broadband services that will bring digital equity to every corner of North America. We are hopeful that this decision will make way for fiber providers to deliver sustainable broadband services to communities that still lack a reliable internet connection in rural America, and we applaud the FCC for their commitment and intense scrutiny of the RDOF long-form applications and for rejecting awards that will not serve the public good.”

-Gary Bolton, President and CEO, Fiber Broadband Association