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Guardian

Guardian

US Politics

US Politics

White House to overhaul $42.5bn Biden-era internet plan – likely to Elon Musk’s advantage

Guardian
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78% Informative

Commerce department secretary Howard Lutnick wants to make significant changes to the program.

He wants states to choose the technology that would be low cost for taxpayers.

Experts agree that using satellite services costs less to connect difficult-to-reach homes than fiber.

The program is expected to generate billions of dollars in long-term economic growth across some of the poorest states.

Musk made his views about the program clear at a town hall meeting in Pittsburgh last October .

Musk suggested that his own satellite company, Starlink , could provide internet connectivity to rural homes at a fraction of the connectivity cost.

Some Republican senators asked Lutnick about his views on Bead during his confirmation hearing, but he offered no promises.