Overhaul of $42 billion program could delay deployment for years, Democrats warn.

Summary

Senate Democrats accused the Trump administration of stalling $42 billion in broadband grants and redirecting funds toward Elon Musk’s Starlink by overturning Biden-era rules favoring fiber networks.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s “tech-neutral” policy prioritizes cost over quality, potentially sidelining more reliable fiber infrastructure.

A May 30 letter warned delays could push projects back two years.

Trump also scrapped a separate $2.75 billion Digital Equity program, calling it “racist and illegal.” Critics say the moves undermine broadband expansion in rural and underserved communities.

    • Brkdncr@lemmy.world
      51·
      3 days ago

      That hasn’t been a problem for me nor most customers. I’m on video calls all day long.

      • django@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        1·
        2 days ago

        During what weather condition? I would expect hard rain or a storm to do something with the connection.

        • Brkdncr@lemmy.world
          41·
          2 days ago

          Thunderstorms, dust storms.

          Snow is a problem if it sticks to the antenna and the snow melt feature can’t keep up, but it’s never been a significant complaint.

          The only people that complain are the ones that switched from a completely acceptable wired connection to starlink, it this service isn’t designed for them. It’s for me and all the other people that have no other usable options.

          • middlemouse@lemmy.world
            2·
            2 days ago

            The point is that the grant money could have been used to create more acceptable wired connections, which you admit here are better.

            Now the grant money is just going to starlink meaning that more people are in the same situation as you where they have no choice.